The San Francisco call., 1896-03-08
He Attributes the Action of the
American Congress to
False Reports.
REPUKEs SHERMAN AND LODGE
Represents Weyler as Too Humane
for Spanish Commander
in Cuba.

lister Dupuy de Lone received an official
dispatch to-day announcing that the Gov
eminent had closed the universities at
Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia and Granada,
the Cadiz Medical School and the College
OF Surgeons at Madrid in the effort to pre-
vent further outbreaks against the United
States, all the disturbances hitherto hav-
ing been confined to or led by young stu
dents. The Government, he declares, is
exerting its influence in all possible ways
to prevent any insults to this country and
harsh measures are necessary, because of
the strong feeling engendered by the
speeches made in the United States SEN
ate.
In regard to the reports about Spanish
naval preparations, it is said that if bellig-
erency is to be recognized by the United
States tie additional duty will be forced
upon Spain of maintaining a rigid and
effective blockade of Cuba.
The cab,ed reports in no instance convey
the impression that vessels have been Sc
cured with any armament which would
fit them for any offensive uses against the
United States. They appear to be alto
gether merchant vessels, adapted only for
blockade uses and for transportation of
troops.
1.-The Spanish Government" the Minis
ter says, 'can surely be relied upon to do
only what is proper and to take every pre-
caution for preserving its honor to all other
countries, and I cannot doubt that the
Government of the United States will
appreciate this and be always animated by
the same high sense of public honor.
Spain may be relied upon to prevent ner
people from being carried away by their
impulses, but it must be admitted that the
provocation for excitement has been very
great. Americans have heaped insults
upon the Spanish people because Of misin-
formation, and the climax has been reached
through speeches made by Senators in the
discussion of the Cuban resolutions which
were we'll calculated to enrage any self
respecting people,"
Senor de LONE saws that all the sensa-
tional remarks in the Senate debates which
aroused his counrymen were either mis-
leading or altogether false, as, according
to his belief, were most of the things
which have been printed broadcast in the
last year about the cruelties of the Spanish
authorities in Cuba and the tyranny of the
military officers there.
Even Senator Sherman, who's reputa-
ton for conservatism caused his speech to
carry great weight, allowed himself to be
imposed upon by untrustworthy informa-
ton, says Minister de LONE. In terrible
and unmerited invective against General
Weyler, he said:
book was published in Spanish-which I
am very sorry l cannot get from the library
written by Spaniard named Enrique Dom
deris, who came over from Spain with the
Spanish troops to see the war of 1872, and
who was so horror-strieken with the high
crimes he saw committed that he flew to the
United States and there published his manu-
script. Telling Is this evidence, and it shows
that General Weyler, stripped of oil the hon.
orable arms of military authority, is q brute.
pure and simple, his hanos forever stained
with the blood of defenseless men and women.
Senior de LONE says he secured copy of
the book with exceeding difficulty. 1t Isl
little 43-page pamphlet published by En-
rique Donderis, and nowhere in it does
Weyler's name appear. 1t describes many
horrors OF the late war, attributed both to
the Spanish and the rebels, but makes no
reference to Weyler whatever. Donderis,
the author of the book. was an officer in
the Spanish army who deserted, and after
ward fought with the Cuban rebels.
Senior de LONE thinks that Senator Sher-
man may disavow his statements when
shown how utterly baseless they were. AS
a matter of fact Weyler only occupied
subordinate position while in Cuba before
the present insurrection, and in numbers
pf nj, lof ~ tor, hxyG ho
previous war, which have been collected
by the Spanish legation here, none has
been found containing anything about
Weyler.
In Senator Lodges speech there was
translation from Spanish paper giving
an interview with Weyler on leaving Cadiz
to take command in Cuba, regarding his
intention to pursue policy of extermina-
ton.
Senior de LONE says he has all the pa
pers, and is prepared to demonstrate to
Senator Lodge that some one has imposed
upon him maliciously fraudulent report.
In fact, in the Minister'S opinion, that is
where most of the trouble lies. He asserts
that General Weyler's proclamation
against bandits applies only to such lead
cIS dS mduuel UdTClds MlIducl, NidIdgaS
and Perico Delgado who, he says, live the
year round, even in times of peace, by
marauding the plantations, blackmailing,
kidnapping and resorting to all sorts of
crimes.
General Weyler intended to pursue them
just as similar bands would be pursued in
any State of the American Union.
Senor de LONE continued: "Great stress
has been laid by Senators and others upon
an alleged proclamation about to be given
to the people of Cuba by General Weyler.
The authority that such proclamation
was about to be published was copy
righted telegram OF the Associated Press.
The prediction has not been verified,
though weeks have passed. Nosuch state
ment was made"
Senor de LONE says he has refrained
hitherto from answering the untruthful
statements published, but when utter
ances, founded wholly upon misconcep-
ton, from the capital of the United States,
are beginning to strain the cordial rela-
tions between the nations, he considers it
his duty. although against the convention
alities Of his position, to appeal to the