Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1896-11-20
The Situation in Cuba.
Weyler Takes the Field In an Effort to
Crush the Rebel MaceO.

The late news from Cuba is interesting. Gen.
Weyler has taken the field in person and is
conducting the operations against the rebel gen
eral Maceo and his forces who are in the west.
ern part Of the island, and on that side Of the ia
nous trocha which the spanish forces have con
structed from the city of Havana on the north
side OF the island to Batabano the south.
East OF the trocha are Gomez and his rebel forces
which the trucha is relied upon to keep from re.
inIorcing Maceo, The plan Of Weyler is to crush
Maceo and reconquer the western provinces be-
fore turning his attention to those in the east.
Weyler has 10000 men under his command The
entire force of the rebels does not exceed 49, 600
The tactics OF the rebel z, nerals remain the same
as they have steadily adhered toto harass the
government forces In every possible way, but to
avoid a set battle.
All accounts agree that the financial situation
Of Spain is desperate, with rebellion in progress
in the Philippine Islands no less desperate than is
that in Cuba. AS last resort a new popular
loan has been offered and the dispatches repre-
sent the Spanish people as being wrought up TO a
high pitch Of enthusiasm to make II a success,
the women selling their jewelry and the churches
| their silver pate to replenish the treasury
spain undoubtedly fears. or expects. interior
ence in behalf of Cuba from the United States,
| and she Is undoubtedly doing what she can to
prepare for such an emergency. Our own gov
eminent, also, is probably keeping an eye on the
future, and IL taking care that the North Allan.
tic squadron is ready for any service that may be
| required OF 1t. Ru nors have been persistent
| that President Cleveland means to take q decis-
| i've action in the near future, but he has told a
senator within the past week that there has been
| no change IN the attitude OF this government
| from that stated In his last annual message.
| Every precaution has been taken so that II occa
| sion should arise the United States could assert
itself with force but he did not think the occasion
would arise.
| Late dispatches say that Spain's home loar
| was subscribed to more than twice the sum call
| ed Tor. The COVER ment is greatly encouraged
by this result, believing that Il can now secure
| foreign loan II one should become necessary
Spanish dispatches from Cuba represent WeyleI
as meeting with great success in his campaign
| against MAceo,
Later News---weyIer Said to be Caught
In a Trap.
The latest news from Cuba is decidedly inter
esting, and is of decidedly different character
from that which came early in the week wher
| Weyler was said to be triumphing over the rebels
| in eastern Cuba. Cubans in Havana now repor
| that Gen. Weyler has been caught In a trap AT
| all events the Spanish commander Is missing
| The Havana authorities are in a state OF alarm
| no news having been received OF him since the re
port of doubtful Spanish conquest 10 the province
OF Pinar del Rio. What adds to the gravity OF the
situation is the fact that Havana Is practically
unguarded, nearly every available man having
been ordered out to support the captain general
1t is believed that MHceo may appear before TIM
city at any time and should he succeed in get
ing 1t he could undoubtedly hold 1t. II has al
ways hitherto been asserted that should the Gu
bans seize Havana they could not hold II because
the city could be bombarded by the spanish y q
ships. Now all this is changed long line o
heavy guns extends along the coast for almost !;
miles. These all point toward the water. They
were doubtless put into position a precaulio
against trouble with the United States; but l
now the insurgent forces got command OF then
they could play havoc with any Spanish wa
ships that might appear in the neighborhood.