Omaha daily bee., 1896-03-07
DEFENDS GENERAL WEYLER
Charges of Outrageous Conduct by the
Spanish Commander Denied.
MERELY SLAUGHTERED UNDER ORDERS
Killed His Prisoners, but So Did other
Officers In the Army-SOme
PccuIiarities of the
Accused.

Copyright 1896, by Press Publishing Company
HAVANA, March 6.--(New York World
Cabegram-Special Telegram.)-ln obedience
to instructions from the World j have de-
voted myself since my return to Cuba to
a careful conscientious study Of the truth or
falsty of the charges made against General
Weyler by Cuban partisans and circulated
in the United States, and feel justified In
reporting that the facts are as follows:
General Weyer obeyed orders in his for
mer service in Cuba during portion OF
the ten years war. He then treated pris-
oners and suspects with extreme rlgor, ac-
cordng to the letter of his instructions
He did no more in this respect than other
commanders of the Spanish columns here
Here the truth of the charges ends. He
was always an honorable soldier. He did
not personally illtreat women. In those
days both sides killed prisoners the rebels
as freely as the Spaniards
General Weyler does not possess the mag
netic personality that Campos does. He is
precise and entirely businesslike; hence does
not attract individuals to him as some other
commanders. To his friends and intimates
he is genial and engaging.
is A DEVOTED FATHER.
The consul general of Great Britain,
Arthur Golan, at Havana, who was stationed
at Manila during the term of Weyler as
captain general of PHILIPPINE island informed
me that Weylers devotion to his children
was really touching. He used to bring his
little daughter to dinner parties at the
palace.
l can find no responsible person or publica-
tion that presents anything like legal ev
idence that satisfies an experienced man of
the world against Weyler on any other point
than that he obeyed military orders toward
rebel prisoners.
AS regards the published reports that ex-
ecutons have taken place since Weyler ar
rived they are false in toto. To begin
with, Weyler's instructions do not permit
crueties In the second place, he is alto
gether too smart a man to wish to do or to
attempt to do what the Cuban laborante
charge that he has done or will do. The
proclamation he issued after his arrival read
strangely to the people in the United States,
but they are not strange in a Latin coun-
try. In time of warfare the conditions of
the people in almost everything are different
from those in the North American republic.
The procamations issued yesterday by
General Weyler stopping arbitrary arrests
of innocent people in the country by over
jealous officers, often times the result of
personal spite, Is an example Of his fair
intentions. BY this order persons shall not
be arrested or otherwise molested as sus-
pected rebels without evidence to support
the charge. Weyier states he will hold Of
duct, should false arrests be made. AS
matter Of fact Weyler is doing nothing of
a more arbitrary nature than good old
Martinez Campos did, and he will display
the same vigor toward his subordinates who
may i'll treat prisoners as his predecessor
in office. i
The press teens with European cables
on the relations between Spain and the
United States 1t is cabled definitely that
negotiations are going on between Spain and
Mao, Co. fnn, nin al Not, rrn,, Lat
ter, Spain to secure France by certain ports
in North Africa now controlled by Spain.
There is a great deal of enthusiasm dis
played at the clubs and among the higher
class merchants over the apparently general
sympathy Europe shows for Spain in the
present emergency. There is much truth in
the claim that France will render practical
sympathy, but there Is a great deal Of hus
ness behind the display of sentiment. The
debt of Cuba, mostly due to the ten years
rebellion, approaches near $700,000,0 900. This
enormous sum Is secured by Cuba alone.
Spain is practically exempt. The greater
portion of the debt is held by France-by
financial institutions and widespread among
small holders. Germans hold a. large number
Of Cuban securities. France will not quietly
submit to the loss of these hundreds of
millions as would be the result of the
forcble separation of Cuba from Spain.
AS TO SPANS FINANCES.
A high official informed me that the
finances of Spain are Of too much Importance
to France for the latter to ignore the call
of the former for assistance. There Is not
as much outward indication of public ex-
ctement, but in conversation bitterness Is
shown toward the United States senators
who are characterized as blackguards be-
cause of their abusive language toward
Spain.
European wars have been caused by far
milder language than Senator Sherman
used" said Spanish officer.
There is no military intelligence of i'm
portance. Gomez and Maceo are both moving
eastward. Maceo is supposed to be in Ma
tanzas province. Today the railway Is open
to Matanzas and for short distance be-
yond. Railwayo are opening in Havana prov
ince. The line to Guanajay and to Bata-
bano is in operation. General skirmishes are
reported, but the loss is so small as to rem
der them unworthy of specification.
1t Is reported that the new consul gen.
era has been named in place OF Williams,
Whoever comes should be a man
of great experience in Spanish laws and
customs.
When the passengers on the steamer Oil
vette landed Wednesday, one, whose name
was Bea. was quietly arrested ard is now
confined in Moro castle. He stated he was
a correspondent for the World and made
other equally incorrect assertions yesterday.
Today a report was circulated that the
prisoner wac Sylvester Scovel, who once sent
Cuba. The Spanish correspondents all sent
tonight their papers in Madrid and else
where in Spain reports that 1t was Scovel
who was arrested while masquerading under
an assumed name. Bea Is not an uncommon
name in Santiago and Matanzas. The prs-
oner. who Is a Cuban, probably like hun
dred others holds American citizenship pa
pers, and is accused Of being a spy. He is
strictly forbidden to have any communca-
ton with the outside world.
nriSOnnr SpOVpl
no connection with the World and never has |
had. WILLIAM SHAW BOWEN.
BoycOttinS American Goods.
Copyright 1896, by Press Publishing Company |
COLON, Colombia. March 6.-(New York |