Evening star., 1896-12-26
WEYLER'SCUBAN PLAN
He Declares That He Will Starve
Out the Insurgents,
WILL SOON REDUCE THEM TO TERMS
Christmas Eve Prediction to a
Newspaper Correspondent.
HE PROCESSES CONFIDENCE

The New York Herald correspondent
who is with Capt. Gen. Weyler in Cuba
has sent his paper the following interesting
dispatch:
Camp Arroyo Grande. foot of the Ran
gel Hills. Pinar del Rio province Decembei
"A, via Havana. Cuba. December -. 1885,
In a small field tent, where neither of US
could stand upright with comfort, 1 have
just interviewed Captain General Weyler
in the above encampment of 10000 men.
The generals field requirements are SIM
plea low canvas cot. which would make
a good twin with that of the first Napo-
leon on exhibition at Paris, and three
diminutive canvas camp stools. The rain
pattered on the canvas cover and 1t was
all could do to find room for myself and
my interpreter.
General Weyler sat facing us at the end
of the tent and we were able to get just
far enough to be out Of the wet. Back Of
General Weyler hung his sword. belt and
sash and on the cot by his side lay his
revolver in it's case.
General Weyler changed his military
casque for a velvet smoking cap during
the interview. He looked we'll and his
manner of speaking showed his satisfac-
ton at being able to say in this remark
able and exclusive interview, given to the
Herald's correspondent, that at last he
believed he had accomplished the work he
had assigned himself.
Surrounded as We were by an army, with
clouds of smoke arising from the hills be-
fore marking the advance of marching
columns. and the rain dripping about us,
1t was such an interview as General Weyler
never gave before and probably never will
again.
UnpretentiOus Gen. Weyler.
Having seated myself on the smallest
camp stool I ever :aw. I drew as close to
the general as possible, General Weylei
aiding me by drawing a wooden chest cut
Of the way himself. In fact, more ap-
proachable. unpretentious comma a,ier
never lived. at least that is the way have
found him.
Have you found many changes since
you we're last here?" I asked
Yes; the progress made has been most
satisfactory, and l can at least say that
the complete pacifcation Of the province
Is a matter OF few days.
Il have twenty-six battalions, ranging
from eight hundred to thousand men
each. occupying all the hills of the prov
ince, these columns have destroyed every
thing in sight and have been able to CUB
sist on the cattle of the insurgents, which
were found grazing In the hills. and with
whose obstruction died their remaining
starve now or submit. and some may
prefer to do the former, owing to their re-
markable apathy
But why are there so few presentados,
lay down their arms?'
THAT point is easily cleared I'D. I know
that they have held meetings with the
idea of coming in as presentados, but have
been told that l would murder them all,
which is absurd, is 1t not? Certainly shall
not harm them. but, not knowing that,
they hope to throw away their arms and
pose as pacif1cos still.
in crowds and the rest find that they are
not killed there will be a general rush to
surrender"
"You can tell pretty well by the number
of arms given up how many have been con-
Cealed, can't you. / asked?"
Il am not sure there are more arms than
there are insurgents To show their des-
perate condition, l can tell yoI that
know positively that Maceo himself went
three days without food before he was
killed.
You still believe he is dead?'
He Knows Where MaceO's Body Lies.
Beyond a doubt, certainly. We even
know where his body is. but we do not like
to disnter 1t, as 1t would SAVIOR too much
of proclamation Of the grave
This seemingly settled this question, so 1
asked. why has Arolas left the trocha
with 5000 men to take part in this active
Campaigning?'
Because the necessity for the trocha as
a defensive line no longer exists. There Is,
however. considerable force there STILL
DO you expect TO capture Rius Rivera?'
/ asked, rather irrelevantly.
Il don't think Rivera will show himself
at ALL said General Weyler. I'VE never
hear from him, but sometimes do from one
Of the Ducasse brothers."
Which one?" asked.
THAT l don't know. One of them is
wounded. so. naturally. this is the other.
Whoever 1t Is, he is at the head Of about
200 men,"
Speaking of the dearth of presentados
again. General Weyler added, as another
reason for their hesitancy In coming for
ward the fact that many of them held
back because they were accused of other
crimes committed before becoming insur-
gents. such as having been bandits, assas-
| sins and highwaymen.
General Weyler said he would have occu-
pied the Rangel Hin pass before he did.
only he didn't want 10 infiict unnecessary
| loss of life from illness among his men.
will you withdraw all your troops after
you have declared Pinar del Rio pacified -
No: shall leave several columns there