Omaha daily bee., 1896-03-06
cAMpos IN wEyLERs DEFENSE
Marshal of Spain Talks Frankly of
the rrcscnt CMhnn Situntion.

Copyright. 1896 by Press Publishing CompanyD
MADRID. March 5.-(New York World
Cablegram Special Telegram Marshal
Campos was found at noon today by the
World correspondent. The general, who had
Just got out of bed, was looking remarkably
we'll. He began the conversation himself
asking in a frank soldierly, energetic man
ner, that the World give prominence to these
points
First" he said 81 deny that there is
foundation for the reports Of cruelties in
General Weyler's past history. He was
simply a field officer in the last Cuban IN
surrection, carrying out, like all others the
orders of his chief, Count Nalmasedo, whc
had ordered reprisals because the insurgents
had committed atrocities. People ought not
to be alarmed at the terrifying proclamauons
of Weyler, threatening penalties that are
practically impossible of execution, and only
intended to Quell the spirit OF disanectlon.
So far nobody has been shot or executed
Secondly, l have no grudge against the
Canovas government. 1t was perfectly Justi-
fed in recalling me after the failure OF my
military and political plans, and l admit l
was no longer in touch with the colonial con-
servatives.
Thirdly, believe the war is likely to
last couple of years, but despite the stay
ing p,wers OF the insurgents, IT is impossioie
for them to succeed alone, even II they do
wear out the armies and resources OF spain
by desultory, guerilla warfare, favored by
the climate conditions of the country.
"Fourthly. as regards the colonial reforms,
which. before l went to Cuba, thought
ought to be carried out, because 1t Is pol
itic to fulfill promises, and which at first
believed might have helped to stop the de-
velopments Of the insurrection together win
my own conciliatory policy. AS was ohiy
general in ccmmand of the forces, coulu
not take the initiative If l received no IN
structions from the home government. Soon,
moreover. circumstances led me to see that
even the colonial parties and some autono-
mists in Cuba, themselves, doubted the eX'
pediency of the reforms. l think 1t Is new
rather late to attempt such palliatves and
the sword must first crush the insurrection
before home rule is possible.
"Ffthy Cubans attach much importance
10 administrative, economical reforms, whicf
are easter to propose than to accomplish.
"Sixthly | decline to offer an opinion on
the adyisablllty of meeting America half way
before the recognition of belligerency, VIII ch
I admit would embolden the insurgents ana
| increase the difficulties Of preventing the in
surgents getting supplies by sea-.
But he warmly defended his conciiiatorS
| policy. based upon experience even in Span
| ish civil wars at home. He concluded WITT
| the assurance that as sold and lie
| long royal.st he would heartily support any
| Snanish government in an international ques
| tion. :,
|
no possible comparison between the condltlof
of the southern states, whose belligerenc!
was recognized by Spain, and the presen
Cuban insurrection, which permits uhpre
cedented excesses against the partisans
Spain and their property.
The marshal seemed to have keen sens'
of responsibility while speaking thus frank!
to the World.
BARCELONA, Spain, March 5.-tNew Yorl
World Cablegram-Special Telegram.)-Th
university here is temporarily closed b!
order of the authorities, and the unite'
States consulate is still guarded, but tn
city Is quiet. A Judge of one OF the su
perior courts is obtaining evidence In re
gard to the attack upon the consulate
/ THE Publicitad, a leading republican paper
continues to employ insulting Language u
i speaking of the United States, as 1t has don
for six months.
The World correspondent was receive
kindly by the civil GOVERNOR, who sen
to him subsequently letter ohering an
information he could give. A delegation
frcm the Athenaeum club called upon me,
the representative of the leading America
newspaper, regretting that in that capacit
the World correspondent had never visite
the club. l mention these facts to shoN
the general disposition among the leadin
Spanish people here to exhibit friendly fee
| ing toward the United States.