The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1896-12-09
WEYLER 0UHGRNERALED
The Spanish Commander Falls
Into an Insurgent Trap.
MAoBo MAKEsAFLANK MOVEMENT.

Another Dispatch from Havana Again
Announces the Death Of the Dashing
Insurgept Leader, Together with Son
of Maxine Gomez.
HAVANA, Dec. 9.-There was much eX-
element here when 1t became generally
known that Maceo had crossed the mill
tary line with, 1t is understood, q strong
force Of insurgents, especially when
coupled with the fighting between Span
fish troops and insurgents close to this
city. 1t seems evident that the insurgent
commander has not only cleverly turned
the flank of Captain General Weyler, but
has succeeded In getting in his rear and
crossing the famous military line near the
port which has been used as base Of sup
plies for the Spanish troops in Pinar del
Rio The importance of this movement
cannot be exaggerated.
The exact whereabouts Of General Wey-
Ter Is not known, but he Is believed to be
hunting for Maceo In tho mountains In
the extreme eastern part of Pinar del Rio,
while the insurgent chief has seemingly
doubled on his tracks, turned the flank Of
the Spanish general, and passed In his
rear in tho direction of this city, crossing
the military line at will, and possibly
being by this time in the vicinity of tho
capital of Cuba II Maxine Gomez has
carried out the plan attributed to him,
that OF pushing westward to the support
of Maceo, u junction of the two main
bodies of the insurgent forces may be ex-
pected shortly.
Nothing appears to be known Of the
tho insurgent force with Antonio Maceo
in this province. In fact it was not until
the news was being passed from person to
person in the streets that the authorities
would give half hearted admission Of the
truth of the report that Maceo had crossed
the military line. This, 1t Is believed, will
alter the whole situation, and important
events may occur within short time.
There Is no doubt that the insurgents have
recently been increased greatly in number
about the capital. The stray bands of
twenty to fifty bandits" met by the
Spanish troops have now swollen to the
proportion of insurgent forces of 1900 to
1000 mon.
Only week ago bold attack was made
upon Guanabacoa, suburb of this city,
hIu hGNeuty uouSos WCIo puiHou W VHo
insurgents, who also killed the men form
Ing the garrison of one of the forts There
fore it Ia not astonishing If people are now
anxiously asking themselves from what
quarter the next attack will be made. 1t
seems to be admitted, however, that Maceo
will strike before Weyler can hurry back
from Pinar del Rio. Indeed, it is cur
rently reported that the captain general
has been wounded in an engagement with
the insurgents before the latter crossed
tho military line and that he may not be
able to return here except as u prisoner
of the CIbans.
The authorities are naturally doing all
In their power to minimize the crossing
of tho trocha by Maceo and intimate that
he is, as usual, according to the Spanish,
running away from them. This does not
alter the fact that the hare has escaped the
hunter, and that the hunter may find diff
ffculty In getting home.
The friends of tho insurgents are over
joyed at the new turn taken in tho cam
paign, and they are secretly boasting that
both MBceo and Gomez will soon be
knocking at the gates of Havana The
Spanish officials simply say, Wait and
see; the end is not yet" But there is no
denying that the supporters OF Spain here
today are looking very much crestfallen
and discouraged. Even defeat at the
hands of the insurgents, 1t is admitted,
would have been better than the humilia-
ton which the Spanish troops have suf-
fered in being so skillfully outmaneuvered.
Patrols are in possession of the streets,
and people arc not allowed to assemble