Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1896-03-23

the f3nOus CaSbIes
 The New York Journal sent woman correspondent to Cuba to interview the Spanish commander in chief, General Weyler. The following is a part of the conversation between them:
 "Then l can deny the stories that have been published as to your being cruel?"
 The general shrugged his heavy shoul. ders as he said carelessly:
 .'I have no time to pay attention to stories. Some of them are true and some arc not. If you will partioulariza I will give direct answers, but these things are not important. ''
 ''Does not your excelleney think that . prisoners of war should be treated with aconsideration and mercy?"
 The generals eyes glinted danger ously.
 1.-The Spanish columns attend to their prisoners just as we'll as any other country i'll times of war, 7" he replied. "War is war. You cannot make it otb- erwise, try as you will. ;
 Twill not your excellency allow ma to go the scene of battle, under an escort of soldiers if necessary, that I may write of the fighting as it really is and cor rect the impression that prevails in America that inhuman treatment is be- ing accorded the insurgent prisoners?''
 Impossible, answered the general i: Lit would not be safe. ,
 
 f'I am willing to take all the danger if your exeellency will allow me to go, U I exclaimed.
 General Weyler laughed. "There would be no danger from the rebels. ," he said, "but from the Spanish soldiers. They ire of very affeetionate disposi- tion and would all fall in love with you.
 twill keep a great distance from the fighting if yon will allow mo to go. <"
 The generals lips closed tightly, and he said:
 "Impossible Impossibler'
 "What would happen. " 1 asked, eff I should be discovered crossing the lines without permission?' ?''
 You would be treated just the same as q man. ,
 Would be sent to Castle Morro?''
 Yes /" He nodded his head vigor- ously.
 That settled it. decided not to go.
 Why, l then asked, is the rule ineommunieado placed upon prisoners2 ? Is it not cruel to prevent a man from seeing his wife and ohildren?"
 The rule .incommuHicado, said the general. is military law. Prison CTS are allowed to see their relatives as a favor, but we exercise discretion in these cases.
 s.There are stories that prisoners are shot in Moro castle at daybreak each morning, and that the shots can be plainly heard across the bay. Is this tue2''
 Tho generals eyes looked unpleasant again.
 oIt is false, " he said shortly. The prisoners go through a regular court martial, and no one could be shot at Merro without my orders, and l have not given orders to shoot any one since Ihave been here. "
 Do you not think it very cruel that innocent women and children should be made to suffer in time of war;"
 "No innocent women and children do suffer. It is only those who leave their homes and take part i'll battles who are injured. It is only the rebels who de- atroy peaceful homes. <"
 "It is reported, I said, "that 30 women are fighting under General Ma eco. Is this trne?"
 'sYos, replied the general. "We took one woman yesterday. She was dressed in mans clothes and was yielding maehete. She is now in Moro castle. These women arc fiercer than the men. Many of them arc mulattoes. This par ticular woman was white. "
 What will be her fate?"
 She will go through the regular | form of trial. "
 "Win no mercy be shown her?'' I ask ed.
 t Mercy is always shown to a woman. While tho law is the same for both sexes, there is a clause which admits of mercy to woman. y
 There are several Cuban women in- surgents in Moro and the Cabanas. Would your exoelleney, l asked, "al- low me to visit and converse with them?"
 No. " he said. "There is law that no foreigner shall enter our fortresses It ia q military law. We can make no exceptions. You understand that l do not wish to he disoourteous, senorita. .
 Some of these women. /" I continued, are said to be imprisoned for merely having Cuban flags in their homes. Is this possible?'
 Treason, explained the general, "is always q crime punishable by imprison- ment. n
 S
 t For the Willie Boys.
 IL A. T..