Pike County press. (Milford, Pa.) 1895-1925, 1896-03-27
wEYLER's SIDE OF IT
AN INTERVIEW WITH THE SPANISH
COMMANDER IN CUBA.

COMMANDER IN CUBA.
He Explains rev Things TO = Wemaa
Reporter - Cuban women who FIeht
and WELD the Sfschste-ons New II
the Eanaous MORO Castle.
The New York Journal sont q woman
correspondent to Cuba to interview the
Spanish commander in chief, General
Weyler. The following Is q part Of the
conversation between them;
Then / can deny the stories that
have been published as to your being
cruelr'
The general shrugged his heavy shoui-
ders as he said carelesslyi
81 have no time to pay attention to
stories. Some Of them are true and
some are not. II you will particulariss
l will give direct answers, but these
things are not important. Z"
Does not your excellency think that
prisoners of war should be treated with
consideration and mercy?'
The generals eyes glinted danger
ously.
"The Spanish columns attend to their
prisoners just as we'll as any other
country in times Of war;" he replied.
"War is war. You cannot make IL 9TH
erwise, try as you will"
"Will not your excellenoy allow me
to go the scene of battle, under an escort
Of soldiers if necessary, that may write
Of the fighting as 1t really is and cor
rCct the impression that prevails in
America that inhuman treatment Is be-
ing accorded the insurgent prisoners!"
Impossible, answered the general;
:" it would not be safe +"
II am willing to take al the danger
II your excellency will allow me to 20,
exclaimed.
General Weyler laughed. There
would be no danger from the rebels"
he said, "but from the Spanish soldiers.
They are Of a very affectionate disposi-
tion and would all fall in love with
you. l."
Twill keep a great distance from the
fighting if yon will allow me to 60"
The generals lips closed tightly, and
be said:
"Impossiblei Impossiblel''
what would happen, asked, "if
should be discovered crossing the lines
without permission?"
"You would be treated Just the same
as a man.
Would be sent to Castle Morro?"
Eyes" " He nodded his head viRor-
ously.
That settled it. decided not to 20.
Why 1 then asked, ''is the rule
'incommunicado' placed upon prisonersl
Is it not cruel to prevent a man from
seeing his wife and children?"
"The rule 'incommunicado, said
the general, sis a military law. Prison
ers are allowed to see their relatives ~
a favor, but we exercise discretion in
these cases +"
There are stories that prisoners are
shot in Moro castle at daybreak each
morning, and that the ehots can be
plainly heard across the bay. Is this
truel'
The generals eyes looked unpleasant
again.
1T is false, he said shortly. "The
prisoners go through a regular court
martial, and no one could be shot at
MORO without my orders, and l have
not given orders to shoot any one since
l have been here. :"
"Do You not think it very cruel that
innocent women and children should bs
made to suffer in time Of WARP"
mo innocent women and children do
suffer. 1t is only those who leAve their
homes and take part in battles who are
injured. 1t is only the rebels who de-
stroy peaceful homes. h"
''It is reported, l said, THAT 30
women are fighting under General Ma
Geo. Is this true?"
Eyes, replied the general. "We took
one woman yesterday. She was dressed
in mans clothes and was welding q
machete. She is now in Moro castle.
These women are fiercer than the men.
Many Of them are mulattoes. This par
ticular woman was white.
What will be her fate?'
"She will go through the regular
form Of trial.
"Will no mercy be shown her?'' I ask
ed.
Mercy is always shown to woman.
While the law is the same for both sexess
there is a clause which admits Of mercy
to woman.
There are several Cuban women in
surgents in Moro and the Cabanas.
Would Your excellency," asked, cal
low me to visit and converse with
themP''
"No," he said. "There is law that
no foreigner shall enter our fortresses.
It is military law. We can make no
exceptions You understand that do
not wish to be disoourteous, senorita."
Some Of these women, continued,
"are said to be imprisoned for merely
having Cuban flags in their homes. Is
this possible?'
Treason. " explained the general, "is
always a crime punishable by imprison-
ment. -
NsbraskS Phsnomsnon.