Omaha daily bee., 1896-02-14
GUARD YOUR OWN PLANTATIONS.
Advice Given by General wcyIcr TO
Cnbnn Sugnr PInnfcrs.

HAVANA, Cuba Feb. 13.-(New York
World Cablegram-Special Telegram Gen
eral Weyler's remark to a deputatlon Of
planters, that he thinks they will be able to
grind sugar by the middle OF March, is re-
garded as of the greatest significance, as 1t
indicates that he is hopeful OF being master
OF the situation by that time. He assured
them that certainly all the plantations in
Havana, Matanzas, Santa Clara and Pinar del
Rio provinces will be in full operation then.
The planters went to the palace to pay
their respects to the new governor general
and they told him they were anxious to
krow IL 1t would be possible to save any
OF the sugar crop. Naturally they were
happy over the prospect held out to them.
but they wanted to learn how their property
is to be protected meanwhile as they under
stood the governor general intended to con-
centrate all the troops in large bodies at
few points. Up to the present time thou
sands OF Spanish soldiers have been sta
toned at various plantations. General Cam
pos originated the idea OF using the troops
for that purpose but It weakened the Span
ish columns in the field to a great extent.
General Weyler suggested to the planters
that they organize volunteer forces to do the
guard duty at plantations now performed by
Spanish troops. He said he could amply
protect the planters, but he was compelled
to make the suggestion as he needed the
regular troops elsewhere.
MEETS FAVOR WITH SOME.
A well known planter. a large part Of
whose cane was burned by the insurgents.
said to me tonight: General Weyler is
perfectly right, looking at the situation from
a military point of view, in recalling the
troops now guarding plantations, but l am
AFRAID some planters whose losses have
been very heavy, will be unable to defray the
expenses OF maintaining a private guard II
General Weyler can make good his promise
to have us grinding in March, we may yet
save something from the wreck. We would
be able to grind through March and up to
the middle of May. OF course, the season
Is rather late, but 1t is better to take half
a loaf than nothing.
AS to securing Trustworthy men for the
private guard, no trouble is expected. There
are lots OF men about. l suggest employ
ing retired Spanish soldiers and former
volunteers. or course, we would have to
pay for their services.
II judge from General Weyler's talk that
he expects TO drive the rebels out of the
western provinces before March. shall be
glad to see him do this. That General
Weyler intends to mass the Spanish forces in
big COLUMNS there seems no doubt. He is
opposed to General Campos' policy Of dvid-
ing the entire force into small detachments."
General Weyler is quietly studying the
situation. He has made no important move
thus far; probably he will make none until
he has a superior cavalry force. Whether
he intends to go into the field and per-
sonally assume command is not known, but
1t Is probable that he will establish head
quarters at some convenient point from
which he can direct the movements of the
forces in the field.
General Gomez is still in Havana province.
General Maceo, / am told, has split his
command into small detachmepts and named
point east OF the Spanish trocha where all
are to meet on an appointed date. the small
forces to operate separately eastward.
General Weyler is anxious TO clear Pinar
del Do province of rebels. He wants to
save the tobacco crop the most valuable
crop in that section of the island. Up to the
present time the rebels have not, harmed
the tobacco, probably from pecuniary rea-
sonr. tFt ff'.
PANDo TAKES MARIN'S DIVISION.
General Pando has been appointed to the
command OF the Second army corps, with
headquarters at Santa Clara City. This is
considered the most important military com
mand in Cuba. 1t was held by General Marin
until his appointment as acting governor
general. Barges takes command Of the
First army corps, with headquarters at
Santiago
The most important Of the SIX finishes re-
ported today was the one on Tuesday at the
Buena Past or Nueva Esperanza stock farm,
near Artemasla. The vanguard Ct General
Cornell's brigade encountered body Of
rebels, probably belonging to General Maceo's
command, entrenched there. The firing lasted
nearly three hours Then General Cornell
ordered bayonet charge, the rebels lines
we,e broken and they retreated toward San
Juan Cayajahos, leaving twenty four dead
on the field.
General Cornell was wounded, but he con-
tinuei in the saddle until the end CT the en-
gagemcnt.
From Santa Clara province comes report
that on the Sth 700 Spanish troops, under
Colonel Lopez, engaged 500 rebels, who we're
escorting the members of tho government
of the Cuban republic on Their way wes.,
and attacked them near Camajuani. The
forty wounded. The insurgent losses are un-
known.
shortly after a construction train left
Guara, where a large body Of insurgents,
presumably General Gomez's main force,
surrounded it. The Spanish guard, in an
armored car accompanying the train held
the rebels at bay until relief arrived.
The railroad bridge at Cardena9 has been
burned.
1t ia reported Colonel Marin has captured
100 horses belonging to the rebels near santo
Espiritu.
The mayor of San Antonio de vayas,
lieutenant Of volunteers and magistrate
there, has Joined the rebels.
GENERALS ORDERED HOME
Advlces from Madrid report that Generals
Lono and March have been ordered to re-
place Generals Mella and Navarro, who are |
ordered home. General Mea has been !
operating In Puerto Principe province and |
General Navarro in Havana and Pinar del |
Rio provinces.
Before General Weyler's arrival in Havana |
there was a great wave Of emigration, be- |
cause people looked for wholesale slaughter. |
steamship agents talked of putting on extra |
steamers. But since Monday there has been |
lull. When the Oviletta sailed for Key |
West and Tampa yesterday she carried only |
rs passengers. while las. Saturday she had |
100 more.
A construction train to which was attached |
hree arInored cars, one next the locomotive |
me In the middle and one at the rear, with |
80 Spanish soldiers in them, left Havana |
his morning TO repair the Western railroad, |
which was torn up by the rebels some time |
go When near Guira dc Meena 1t was
,addenly surrounded by 500 armed rebels or
horseback. After an hours firing the Span
sh drove the rebels off The railway sta
ion at Gabriel, west Of Cnira, was fired by
ebcis today. ROEDER.
Chamber Upholds the Ministry.
PARIS, Feb. 13.--The Chamber cf Dopu-
les today. by vote OF as6 to 4S, adopted
vote OF confidence to the government
'his action was the result Of the refusal
4 the Senate ON February H. Oh a vote