The River Falls times. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1894-1933, 1896-12-01

says: A cipher cablegram from Ha-
Nana to a Cuban leader here says
that Gen. Weyler has been forced to
return to Havana and that the city is
III great confusion. Weyler gives no
excuse, 1t is said, except that it is too
hot and unhealthy for any fighting.
1t is openly asserted in Havana that
Weyler became frightened because
Maceo had set price upon his head
or his canture. Weyler's scouts in
Formed him that Maceo might make
an attempt on Havana and the Span
ish general retreated in hot haste to
the safety of his palace. 1t is also
stated in the cablegram that Weyler's
recall is assured now, as the Spanish
government is incensed against him
for his dilatory tactics. CubanS here
are jubilant, for they thin kthis will
have a favorable effect upon congress.
A dispatch to the World from Ha-
vana under date of Nov. 20 says: The
Competitor prisoners have been tried
by court martial in the Fortress La
Cabana in spite of Consul General
Lees official protest, filed just before
he left Havana. The exceptions taken
by the prisoners were overruled by
the naval courts. Gen. Lees note was
pigeonholed, and il, defiance Of Secre-
tary Olney's intimation of disapproyal
the Competitors crew and Mr. Melton,
the American newspaper correspond
ent, have again been tried by a drum
head court. sitting within tie walls of
Il Spanish fortress, where, according
to Capt Gen. Weyler's orders, no rep
reSentatiye of the United States con
sulate may enter The prisoners were
allowed neither Interpreter nor conn
sci. Those partly acquainted with
Spanish were compelled to interpret
for the others.
So quietly was the affair conducted
that Acting Consul General Springer
does not yet know. it is said, that the
case was virtually closed Nov IA, ON
which day Melton, MaZa, Dr. Vedia
and the witness, George Ferran, were
forced by Naval Judge Fernandez to
sign statements admitting their COM
plicity in the filibustering expedition
which the Competitor is alleged to
have brought under MonZon and La
horde to the Pinar del Rio coast. This
written evidence is now under consid
Grafton by the court. Judge Saul said
to-day that a decision may be rendered
at any moment. 1t is expected all the
members of the party whose Ameri-
can citizenship has not been clearly
shown will be shot The bona fide
Americans will probably be sentenced
to from three to ten years imprison-
ment in some Spanish penal station
off the coast of Africa.
Havana, Nov. &c. = The unexpected
arrival here of Capt Gen. Weyler
from the front without having been
successful in bringing about an en-
gagement of any Importance with the
insurgents under Antonio MaceO is
causing considerable comment here to-
day, and there are many rumors in
circula ton. On one side it is asserted
that Weyler's return means that he
will shortly return to Spain on some
plan or another. Although this is de-
MED, the impression prevails that
there will shortly be important
changes here.
La Lucha's correspondent in the
field, had an interview with the cap
tain general previous to the latter's
arrival here from Artemisa and
Mariel, and it is gathered from the
statements the captain general is said
20 have made that he may rot resume
personal charge of the operations in
pinar del Rio III this review the cap
Gain general was asked for an express
zion of opinion as to the course of the
campaign and he said:
q am contented with it. We EN-
rered Ruhi, hoping to give battle to
she combined insurgent forces, and
you know the result. They went south
ward, much to our regret. Maceo HIM
self went toward NIocurrias. Never
theless, our columns, in two divisions,
ytir Gin oil
and only saw band Of about 100 in
surgents in the woods near San Luis.
The captain general was then asked
if he knew the whereabouts of An
tonic Maceo at present. He answered:
His whereabouts is hot known.
The truth is that the insurgents were
not found in the mountains nor on the
plains. Nevertheless they boast that
our troops always fly before them
In insurgent circles it is said that
their leaders claim that the return of
the captain general to Havana with
out bringing about an engagement
with Maceo is equivalent to a defeat
of the Spanish forces for the latter
have completely failed to carry out
the programme mapped out by the
Spanish commander and he has re-
turned here in every way unSucceSS-
full 1t is asserted that the plan OF
Antonio Maceo was to avoid a general
cnoa cement with the Spanish troops,
as he feels confident that the weari-
some campaigning being conducted by
the Cubans must ultimately exhaust
the Spanish and bring about the con-
cession of all or nearly all the de-
mands of the insurgents.
1t is announced that Capt. Gen..
Weyler will return to the province of
Pinar del Rio tomorrow to resume an
active campaign against the insur-