Omaha daily bee., 1896-11-25
wEyLER CANNOT FIND MAcEo.
Captain General Admits the Failure
of His Campaign.

Copyright. 1895. by the Associated Press)
HAVANA, Nov. 24-The unexpected
arrival here of Captain General Weyler from
the province Of Pinar del Rio without having
been successful in bringing about an en-
gagement OF any importance with the in
surgents under Antonio Maceo Is causing
considerable comment here today, and there
are many rumors In circulation. On one
side IL is asserted that Weyler will shortly
return to Spain, and on the other side
this is denied. However, the impression
prevails that there will be shortly im-
portGnt changes here. La Luchas. cor
respondent in the field. had an interview
with the captain general previous TO the
latters arrival here from Artimeea and
Mariel. and it is gathered from the state
ments the captain general is said TO have
made that he may not resume personal
charge OF the insurgents again in Pinar del
Rio. In the interview the captain general
was asked for an expression of opinion as
to the course OF the campaign, and he said
II am contented with It, We entered Rubl
hoping to give battle to the combined in
surgent forces, and you know the result
they went south. much to our regret
Maceo has gone toward Mocurrias Mayria
and Corojal da Yaniguas Nevertheless our
columns in the two divisions arrived with
out firing a single shot, and only saw a
band of about $50 insurgents in the woods
near San Luis"
knew the whereabouts of Antonio Maceo at
present. He answered: His whereabouts
are not known. The truth is that the in
surgents were not found in the mountains
nor on the plains. Nevertheless they boast
that our troops always fly before them"
General Weyler was then asked IL many
cattle remained in that part of Pinar del
Rio which he visited and he said: mot
many. Only a few bulocks and calves re-
main, the insurgents have killed or cap
tured the rest"
Speaking of his operations since leaving
Havana the captain general explained that
he had been all over the mountains and
had camped several nights in the woods
From other sources 1t has been stated that
he has frequently been without his regular
meals and slept on the ground in the rain
The correspondent then asked the captain
general how the Spanish soldiers had be-
haved and whether they had shown the
right spirit. He said The men are con-
tented and show themselves courageous at
every opportunity for fighting against any
odds. The result is satisfactory. although
we have not yet finished our work. But
enough has been done until the end Of the
year. | am now going back to Havana
when will you return?" asked the cor
respondent.
The captain general said: "I can never
say what | shall do. General Munoez will
take charge OF the division as soon as his
health is re-establlshed"
The captain general also took the oppor-
tunity to warmly praise Generals Munoez,
Echague, Obregon, Bernal, Aguilar, Suarez,
Yncan Hernandez and Velasco.
In insurgent circles 1t is said that their
leaders claim that the return of the cap
tain general to Havana without bringing
about an engagement with Maceo Is equlva-
lent to a defeat of the Spanish forces, for
the latter have completely failed to carry
out the program mapped out by the Spanish
commander and he returned here in every
way unsuccessful 1t is asserted that the
plan Of Maceo was to avoid a general en-
gagement with the Spanish troops, as he
feels confident that the wearisome campaign
being conducted by the Cubans must ul-
timately exhaust the Spaniards and bring
about the concession of any or all demands
of the insurgents