Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-11-20
TALK OF ARMISTICE
It May Follow a Pitched Battle in
Cuba.
BOTH SIDES TIRED OF TIE FIGHTING
Denial That WeyIer's Campaign
Has Failed.
MASSING FOR AN ATTACK

KEY WEST, November 20.-Advices re-
ceived here from Cuba today by the steam
ship Whitney cast discredit Upon the state
ment that the campaign of Captain General
Weyler against Antonio Maceo in the pro-
vince OF Pinar del Rio has failed, and that
Weyler will shortly return to Havana
1t Is stated, on the contrary, that Wey-
Ter has no intention of returning to the
capital until he shall have exhausted every
effort &c compel Maceo to meet him in a
pitched battle. When last heard FROM the
spanish commander was masslng his forces
for an attack upon the insurgents
While Weyler's present campaign is re-
garded In Havana as marking crisis in
the war, 1t is whispered that at the con-
clnsion OF any pitched battle that may be
fought an armistice be declared, and ar
rangements made for a conference between
the lnsurgent leaders and the representa-
tives Of Spain, looking to a settlement Of
the war. This Is most significant as show
ing that all classes are utterly tired of the
"ar-and As burdens, and longing for some
way out or the present difficulties.
Under these circumstances an importan
iLsurgent victory would almost be hailed
In commercial circles at Havana with the
same satisfaction that a Spanish victory
exists in Havana, and the outlook grows
darker and darker days pass Business
Is almost at a Standstill; the prices of all
ccmmodities have gone up to extravagant
rates, While the loyal portion of the popu-
lat1on has been drained of all its able
bodied men in order to send volunteers
INTO the field to assist the 100000 troops
Operating against tie insurgents in various
parts of the island.
The latter are said to number only 20. 600
men all told. and they are reported to he
suffering from a scarcity of provisions. &c.
Maceo Is awaiting reinforcements and in
tnls connection news Of the whereabouts
and doings of Maxine Gomez are awaited
with much interest. Little or nothing has
been heard recently of Gomez, who is be-
ieved to be at the head of the main body
OF tne lnsurgent forces: Current reports
some time ago had it that he was in the
province of Santa Clara and advancing
westward toward Matarzas, his objective
point being the province of Havana and
possibly the city of Havana itself
Quintin Randera, the well-known insur-
gent leader. was reported yesterday to be
In the vicinity of the Pinar del Rio military
line with strong force of insurgent cav
airy and infantry, and Calixto Alvarez is
said to be with him.
Lacret. another of the best known of the
tnsurgent leaders, is said to be suffering
from wound. Gen. Echague, the Spanish
omcer who was wounded severely in the
thigh in the attack on the Rubi hills, is
improving.
rumor was in circulation at Havana
yesterday that the captain general had
been killed. But it appears to have orig
mated in the blowing up of a railroad train
upon which he was reported to be travel
Ing between Candeleria and Punta Braya
The Spanish commander was at Candeleria
and may have intended to take the train
which was destroyed, but he did not do so
having left Candeleria some time previous.
The last detachment of volunteers con-
sisting of four battalions left Havana yes
terday for the front under the command of
Col. ARGOS. Prior to their departure thew
were reviewed by Gen Ahumado, who is
in command at Havana.
The Rumor of an Armfstfcr.
The reports of a Spanish-Cuban armis-
tice are In line with reports current here
for some days. There is no official yeritica.
ton of them, and. in fact, every avenue OF
oHclal information on the Cuban question
Is closed. But among those familiar with
the subject, and who have watched its de.
velopment, it is the belief that If there Is
any change in the military status in Cuba
IL VIII be along the lines of an armistice OF
disarmament, or modus vivendi covering
tnree or four months. 1t would be in line
with the course which the United States
sought to have adopted during the last
Cuban war.
At that time, as now, one of the main
dlmcultles In conducting peace negotiations
was in securing the assent of the fnsur.
gents. and to this end Secretary Fish. June
23, 1869, secured the signature OF MCraies
Lemues, as the authorized agent of the
revolutionary party of Cuba" to a docu.
ment agreeing to an armistice pending ne.
EQUATIONS for settlement. The settIenen;
contemplated the independence of Cuba.
and for this reason was not accented Nv
Spain, and the armistice failed. Hayinr
taken this course once, it is felt to fndi-
cate the probability of an armistice as the
first step in any prospective negotiation for
settlement.
Should an armistice be secured. il is fell
tnat the cessation of hostilities would per-
init cooling of the blood sufficient to bring
about final settlement.
The Prospect of Peace,
In any event 1t is not believed that the
insurgents would give up the ADVANTAGES
they have already secured unless they were
assured that an armistice would result in
final settlement practically on their own
terms. The last war was concluded by
promises of reform which, it is claimed
Spain did not execute, and with this ex-
perience 1t Is not believed that an armis-
uce or settlement would be possible so long
as Spain was intrusted with the execution
of reforms.
AS an indication Of Spain's likelihood of
negotiating to the end suggested, it is
stated that from the 10th to the Goth of
last month there were 21,S74 nen in the
Spanish military hospitals, or over 10 per
cent of the entire military force.