The sun., 1897-01-13
BURNING CUBAN FARMS.
HUNDREDS OF FAMILIES MADE
HOMELESS NEAR HAVANL.

weyier Destroys the Farms Because re
Thipks the Insursents Get Food from
Tkcm-N IL Said the Butcher Fsnde-
vIeiin VIII ne Havsns's Chief OF Police.
HAVANA. Jan. 12.-Gen. weyler continues the
war Of determination and destruction which. In
his opinion, will end with the pscifcation OF the
island. From Govea to Tumbadero, q distance
OF ten miles, in Havana province. all the farms
have been burned by tho Spanish troops. This
means loss Of $780, 900 worth Of property and
the misery OF hundreds of families.
Weyler attributes those outrages to tho In
surgent bands, though everybody knows that
they the work Of Spanish columns under
the special instructions of the Captain General.
A farmer of Govca, whose small property was
reduced to ashes and who was deprived OF all
resources, with wife and six children to sup
port, said that tho columns arc preceded by
bands of torchmen. who kindle fires on every
side after plundcring the houses. Tho farmers
and their families are taken before tho chiefs
Of tho columns and threatened with death.
The Spaniards say that they do not want pco-
pie to live in tho country. but to gather In the
towns. no matter how poor they are or how
much they need tho produce OF their farms for
their daily sustenance.
II any one darcs to protest against living In
the towns because he has nothing to live on
there, he 10 Immediately killed. The result Of
this barbarous policy is the reinforcement of
the insurRent army by hundreds OF recruits
daily. who arc obliged to choose between starv-
ing in tho cities or lighting against those who
destroy their means of gaining livelihood.
Govea is station on the United Railway OF
Havana, and tho farms which surround II arc
mostly tobacco plantations. weylers object in
ordering tho destruction OF all that part of tho
country is TO deprive the insurgent bands of
Havana province OF food resources, as he be-
lteveN they 1.-Two what the farmers provide
tbem.
who own properties In the country or are inter-
csted In agriculture. IL 10 perfectly true that
thcy are trying to influence Madrid to recall
Weyler But they do not dare to freely express
their opinions, ms they fear the resentment OF
the spanish Immigrants, tho highly approve of
weyler's system Of exterminating the natives.
La Unton Constitutional, the official spanish
organ. denies that the Marquis OF hpezteguia,
OF .hs o fbs .sa with ss
Marquis Is identified with tho Captsin-Gen-
eral "as the representative Of tho feelings OF
the Spanish party" IL 10 true. however. that the
Marquis left for Spain with the aim of obtain
ing from tho Central Government an order
spite of tho prohibition issued by wsyler to the
IL Is said hero that weyler will recall Fonde-
viells from Guanabacoa, but will appoint him
to tho higher ONCE OF Chief Of Police of Havana
sd Sefn II 4ss s" tub n.ws
has created a sensation In the city.
the newspapers OF Havana saying that Don
Francisco silvela, leader of an important faction
that was separated from the Canoyas party, has
the frauds OF the military administration In
Cuba. The censor did not allow the news to bo
printed. and La Luchd only publishes the fol-
Don Er.nei.eo silyel. ha: made speech in
opposition TO the Government;"
mented upon here, and IL 10 believed that the
Government will have to resign II Weyler is not
power. The conservatives OF Havana arc most