Omaha daily bee., 1896-02-24
ABOUT EVEN ON THE WEEK
Summary of Seven Days Operations Of the
Forces in Cuba.
SPANISH COLUMNS CONSTANTLY WORKING
Press the Insurgents Hard but the
Latter Do More Damage Tbnn
During Any other Week
of the War.

Copyright. 1896. by Press Publishing Company
HAVANA. Cuba (Via Key West, Fla),
Feb 23-(New York World Cablegram-Spe-
cial Telegram .)-General Weyler has been at
the head of affairs in Cuba two weeks. The
first week he devoted chiefly to studying
the situation. When he arrived Gomez was
in Havana province and Maceo was in Pinar
del Rio. The Spanish troops were. doing
their utmost to prevent their Joining forces.
Maceo crossed the alleged "strong line" or
trocha, however, with apparent ease and
Joined Gomez.
Last week was one of great activity on
both sides. Three Spanish columns, includ-
ing infantry, cavalry and artillery, under
General Aldecoa General Linares and Colonel
Hernandez, were in constant motion, chas-
ing the insurgents. At the same time the
Cubans did more mischief and destroyed
more property than In any previous week.
They burned numerous towns and villages
along the railway between Havana and Ma
tanZas.
The Spanish soldiers marched probably
from twenty TO thirty miles every day. Cen
eral Weyler has cabled to Madrid that the
rebels are closely pushed and that he hopes
for continued success in carrying out the
plan of operations he has adopted. Sixteen
carloads of ammunition were sent out of
Havana today.
At first the announced plan was to keep
Maceo west OF Havana province. Now the
proclaimed object Of the Spanish is to pre-
vent Gomez and Maceo from "retreatng'
into MatanZas province, although Gomez is
reported to have declared that he means to
fight 1t out in Havana province and the
principal insurgent generals in the east are
known to be moving westward with strong
forces. doubtless to Join Gomez and Maceo
there.
All eyes are turned upon Washington.
Many Americans in business here say the
time has come when the United States should
have war ship at Havana.
Merchants talk of closing their stores this
summer. They see nothing but ruin ahead
The tobacco crop has not been interfered
with. Dealers say the crop is poor because
the grower neglects 1t. fearing molestation.
But the rebels realize that the tobacco gives
employment to friends in the United States
who contribute to the cause. The other day
some insurgents rode across tobacco field.
When their leader saw them ne became
furious and shouted: Don't destroy our
trea sury."
There is very little yellow fever in this
city now. except in the military hospitals
but the physicians say that as the weather
grows warmer sickness will increase rapidly
ROEDER.
Approve Earl Grey's Appointment.
LONDON, Feb. 24.-The Times approves
the apuontment of Earl Grey as admins
traitor of the Chartered South Africa COM
pany and says His acceptance OF the post
is an earnest Of the intention of the respon-
sible authorities to support and cooperate
with Mr. Cecil Rhodes in his projects Far
the Internal developments Of the company's
territory. During his sojourn in Africa Earl
Grey will cease to have any pecuniary IN
terest other than that inherent to the posi-
tion of director Of the company and will
consider himself precluded from taking any
personal part in the pursuit Of wealth
Briefly summarized, Mr.. Rhodes devotes him
self to developing the material resources of
Rhodesia and attracting large white popu-
lation. while Earl Grey will organize and
initiate the establishment of a great En-
gish community under the institutions ap-
proxmating to the home government.
jameson Reaches England.
LONDON, Feb. 23.--The steamship Vic
toria, with DR.. jameson aboard, arrived at
Davenport tonight from Port Natal 2wo
hundred and fifty of DR.. Jameson's men
have arrived in London and have been sent
TO their homes. In spite of the secrecy which
II was sought TO maintain as TO the time of
their arrival, a great crowd gathered to re-
ceive them and greeted them with acclama-
tions. These men assert that the Beers lost
$50 men killed and wounded in the Krugers-
dorp fight in which Jameson captured.
The Times says: 1t appears that DR.. jane
son and his officers have not yet been for
mally arragned, but they are considered
to be under military arrest.
dispatch from Plymouth to the Daily
News says they have promised to avoid any
statement to the press.
Booth Tucker the New Comma ndcr.
LONDON. Feb. 23.-It is announced that
Booth-Tucker and wife will succeed Mr.. and
Mrs Ballington Booth in command of the
Salvation army In the United States. Bram-
well on February Is mailed a long letter
to Mr.. Chauncey NJ. Depew in reply to one
of Mr. DpDpW'S chairman n
Ing in New York to protest against the re-
moval of the Ballirgton Booths. explaining
the changes in the Salvation army in the
United States.