Omaha daily bee., 1896-03-03
FRIENDS ARE INDIGNANT.
Assert the Charges Against Him Are
without Foundation.


tlon is expressed here in official circles at
the statements attributed to Senator Sher-
man in the United States senate, charging
General Weyler with UNLIMITED crimes
during the last revolution, as the matter
is quoted here, and when acting as COM
mander of a Spanish column. The friends
OF General Weyler claim II is not true that
he committed the acts attributed to him, as
IL he had behaved in the manner described
he would have been punished by the general
in-chef. Continuing, the friends of General
Weyler assert that the policy of the insur-
gents now as before Is to charge Spanish
officers who distinguish themselves in fight
ing with abominable crimes in order that
these officers may be transferred to other
posts, or be sent back TO Spain, General
Weyler's friends insist that not one of the
acts attributed to him had proved to be
correct, and they hold that not the slightest
shadow of truth surrounds them. They
also assert it is not possible for his ac-
cusers to produce any responsible witness
who can attest to the truth of the charges,
which, 1T is added are conclrsivey denied,
IL only by the generals treatment of the
insurgents since his landing here, and by
his mild administration of affairs in the
Philippine islands and elsewhere They also
refer to his personal morality, energy
and impartaty in private and government
acts which," they say, has gained him
the approval and esteem of all who have
come in contact with him through personal
relations"
A friend of the captain general discussing
the situation today, said: Enrique Don
derio is unknown here and is supposed to
have been in Chill when General Weyler
commanded a column hete. Another
separatist who has written against General
Weyler was also absent from Cuba at the
time the events he claims to describe are
supposed to have taken place.. No one here
has put forth a single proof of the alleged
atrocities described in some OF the American
newspapers and everybody here is surprised
how such an honorable man as Senator Sher-
man has allowed himself to be led astray
and is allowing himself to be the instrument
of the insurgents, in reading before the
United States senate slanderous articles
written by men absent from Cuba, and to
brew in the minds Of the senators all kinds
of calumnies against Spaniards bringing
upon them the contempt and hatred of all
people, accounts which are inconsistent with
the proceedings of the man of honor in
question.
up to this very day. the insurgents as
sert that Maceo and Gomez did not order
the destruction by fire and the laying waste
Of the island. They say that those crimes
have been committed by the government
troops. -. ,:
Lieutenant Arce, in command of the Isa-
bella battalion, was engaged yesterday with
the insurgent forces commanded by Olalla,
NuneZ, Caylt0 ana Alvarez. lie dlSl0dged
the insurgents from their positions and they
left eighteen killed and retired with many
wounded. OF the troops fonr men were
killed and three were wounded. In later
engagement the insurgents lost twenty-five
killed and many wounded The insurgent
bands under Moro Aguirre and others, be-
tween Aguacate, .Jibacoa and Seiba Mocha,
have passed the Matanzas frontier at CasigIas
and are said to be following the highway in
the direction of San Jose de Las Lajas, this
province ..- -.a,
The Indignation over the action of con-
gresa regarding the belligerency of the in
surgents increases as the particulars Of the
debate in congress are received. The edi-
toras in the press however, are not Of
fens!ve toward the Unitedf States. The
demonstrations of patriotism are energetic,
and are displayed by public conversation.
Business circles await the outcome with
lively interest, as mayf be imagined. 1t
is thought that the demonstrations Of pa
trotism will be kept within prudent bounds,
and there is no fear that the American con-
sui general will in any way be disturbed.
In fact Mr.. Williams is highly esteemed
personally and is well assured Of courteous
treatment at the hands Of the Havana pub
lie. .-
Antonio Maceo Is still making his way
toward the west and has divided his forces
into small bands about Guira and Aquizar.
1t is reported he is seeking to divert the
attention of the troops from the Matanzas
coast, as to allow an expected expedition
to land its forces.