The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1896-12-06
TURN MASSACRES
into VICTORIES"
Treacherous Surprise of a
Cuban Hospital by
Spaniards.
Forty Five Helpless Inmates
Slaughtered by the Lying
Butchers.
Captain.General Weyler Takes the
FELL Because Ordered to Do
So by Superiors.

KEY WEST, FLA, Dec. 5.-Passengers
who arrived tonight from Havana give
interesting information as to the condition
of affairs in Cuba. Feverish excitement
prevails IN Havana since the rumor
spread that Weyler intended to return,
announcing, as reported, that he had
pacified the province of Pinar del Rio,
when it is a known fact that Maceo re-
mains, bidding defiance to all forces sent
TO crush him.
The Spanish are bitter against Weyler's
unsuccessful effort. and say his return will
mean defeat. The official statement OF
pacification is ridicued in the face of the
number OF rebels in the province and the
activity displayed recently. Weyler has
established headquarters at Los Palmicos
and sends columns to sweep the country,
leaving trails of fire and blood. All pris-
oners captured are killed on the spot. All
who surrender are also killed. The Span
iards are Mortified at such slaughter and
destruction.
Meluizo's reported victory was simply u
treacherous surprise of a Cuban hospital.
Forty.tiv helpless inmates were slaugh-
tered. Meanwhile the rebels are display
ing activity all around.
1t is said that under cover of the attack
a body of 400 insurgents crossed the line in
to Pinar del Rio and last night again at
tackled the trocha at Zayas station. The
losses are unknown.
When the rebels entered Gnanabacoa
Tuesday, the night after burning twenty
SIX houses and looting several stores, they
announced that they would soon return
and carried out their threat, as last night
the town was again attacked, several
houses were burned and other stores
sacked, despite the garrison had been re-
enforced. Besides, at Guanabacoa the
rebels lately attacked and burned many
houses at Arrayo. Naranio, Ell Cano,
Santa Maria, all within radius of fifteen
miles of Havana.
The glares of fires are nightly seen in
the city. 1t is said that news has been re-
ceived at the palace that Colonel Aldea
had serious encounter with Lacret at
Purgatroio Hills in Matanzas. The Span
ISL admit they suffered loss of seventy
five, but claim the victory, saying they
killed 300 rebels.
1t is reported as soon as Weyler returns
delegation of Spanish planters will petit
ton to be allowed to start grinding. In
case of refusal they will cable to Madrid
asking Weyler's recall.
Among Spaniards Weyler is considered
doomed. 1t is considered significant that
he received a curt message from the Min
lister of War saving, "Salga operaciones, !"
that Is, Take the field"
HAVANA, CUBA. Dec 5.-Maior Cru
geda, with the San Quetine battalion, after
e march entailing great hardships, has
captured the rebel position in the Baracoa
Hills, near Junta Bravo, in the Havana
province.
The fight lasted two hours. at the ex-
piration of which the rebels were dis
persed, leaving in their fight thirty-three
of their dead on the field and carrying
away great many more. The losses of
the troops were one man Killed and cap
tain and ten privates wounded.
Colonel Aldea, with leo men, has had q
battle in the Purgatorio Hills, near Saban-
lila, in the Matanzas province. which re-
suited in his capturing the rebel position.
The rebels, strong in numbers, made
several rallies, but were repulsed by
cavalry charges. The rebels were finally
all driven from the field, from which they
carried many of their dead. The Spanish
losses were twenty-four privates killed and
two lieutenants and forty-nin privates
wounded. Colonel Aldea himself was
badly bruised.
The losses of the insurgents are esti-
mated at 300 killed and wounded.
Captain Cabello, with another fraction
of the Spanish forces, had fight at La
guna with a party of rebels under Juan
Armada, killing the rebel leader and eight
cen OF his followers. The troops lost two
killed and two wounded.