The Cape Girardeau Democrat. (Cape Girardeau, Mo.) 1876-1909, 1896-04-11
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The Energy Displayed by Gen. weyIer In
Cuba Has Tended to Decentralization
Rather than to Efficiency, and the Pa
trfots Gained More in March thar During
ANY Two Months BefOre-The Rainy Sea.
son Approaching.
HAVANA, April l, via Tampa, Fla,
April Army preparations have
been pushed with great vigOr for the
past month. Gen. Weyler has given
officers and men no rest. His orders
hav been peremptOry, and many a
general has incurred his d~ispleasure
by hardness. The result of these ac-
tive movements have been to COM
pletely tire out a large portion
of the army in the field. The insur-
gents have been kept moving; their
camps have been destroyed, and dozen
of their hospitals have beer burned
during the month that has just passed;
but the government has not forced a
single battle upon the rebels. The
only serious engagements have been
those IN which the insurgents have had
the advantage of position or numbers,
as at Cuyajabos and Candelaria, as
Univ bA1S OAISLloANC IL uSltd leu lIl0
regular troops of Spain.
There have been many real guard
skirmishes which appear in the Span
ish official reports as battles and
victories for the crown, but. upon in
v~eStigation, a number of them proved
to be massacres of unarmed citizens,
II there have been more tales of hor.
FnTS pnmmIffnH fhan hattIaC f,rrh+ -
this island of Cuba during the month
of March. If one hundredth part of
the stories that reach mere of the
operations of the columns of Generals
Melquiso and Bernal, and of Colonies
Molina, Tort, Sequera and others are
true, the reason why Gen. Weyler can
'celled all passes held by correspond
ents is plain.
Owners of estates report excuses
committed by detached bodies of Span
dsh troops in all parts of the island
and there is no longer talk of attempt
ing to grind sugar this year, the prob
lem Is how to preserve the lives of en-
ployes and prevent ante destruction
by the troops.
n insurgents have gained more in
the past month than in II two that
have preceded it. WeyIcrs decree
compelling the people to abandon their
homes i'll the Interior has driven many
~peaceabie inhabitants into the rebel
armies. The harsh measures adopted
toward suspects in cities and own
have also increased the number of re-
cruitS from families of the better class
in cities.
The landing of foul important expe-
ditlOns has given inspiration to the in
never brighter. Hot weather is al
ready here, and the rains are not far
off. The limited time remaining for
military operations this spring, makes
1T plain that Spain cannot crush the
rebellion before the wet season sets
in, and the serious problem of caring
for the lives of her soldiers presents
itself. A Spanish officer says that the
losses of the army through fevers and
other sickness have been 12,OO0 since
September, and V twenty-five thou
sand during the year ended March /.
Generals Aldrea and Malan have
been sent back to Spain, making nine
generals who have been returned since
Gen. Weyler arrived. Gen. Obrejon is
also booked to return and Gen. Pando,
of the first army corps
has been order back for allowing Co.
mez to enter Santa Clara without
lighting a battle. Gen. Suarez Valdez
is also on the list. He is in command
Of Pinar del Rio. and besides failing to
suppress the rebellion in his section,
lie sent an impertinent message to
Weyler by Photograph. Wcyler says
he can get more active work out of
colonies than from generals. and the
exodus continues. There is much dis
satisfaction among officers of higher
grades.
Gen. Weyler has been in a highly
nervous state for several DAYS. and
many stormy interviews between him
and his men have taken place. His
troubles with the politicians are just
beginning. He has assured the home
that elections can be held
i'll Cuba, and now he has two parties
the reformists and the autonomists-
refusing to take part, leaving the
or conservative
party alone in the field.
Rumors that Weyler will be recalled
are persistent. Since advices that the
States will not recognize the
belligerency of the Cubans. Gen. Wey-
Ter has begun open executions of pris-
OncrS of war. Three have been shot
Cabanas prison within a week, ard
nore are doomed to the same fate.
j. FRANK CLARK.
HAWAIIAN CABLE BILL.