The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1897-09-06
WEYLER's SUDDEN CHANGE.
Releases Number of Cubans and
ImprisOns Their Prosecutors.


ImprisOns Their Prosecutors.
HAVANA, via Key West, Fla, Sept.
"a wealthy merchant named Bias
Casares has been arrested in Puerto
Principe, charged with political Of
enses. A party of insurgents recently
made an attack upon Fort Santo Cristo
del Vale. near Sabalo, in the province
of Pinar del Rio. The garrison made
stout resistance, but the insurgents set
fire to house near the walls of the
fort, which took fire, compelling the
garrison to retire with the loss of six
men killed. Two brothers named Por-
tillo made stand behind a tree and
were reinforced by a number of their
comrades. After sharp fighting the
insurgents were driven off with the
loss of four killed and six wounded. 1t
is reported that a group of insurgents
attacked and entered the town of jana
guayabo near Remedies, where they
sacked several stores and burned
number of houses. 1t is also reported
that the insurgents have fired upon
Guira Melena, in Havana province.
During the month of August 500 per
sons died in Guines from epidemic dis
eases. All of the victims, with one ex-
ception, were Cubans. The rate of NOR
tally among the refugees is very
great, and the same is true regarding
the troops. The mortalftS due to yell
low fever, malaria and dyseHtery is ex-
cessive. 1t is estimated that thirty
seven out of every thousand sick SOL
diers in the hospitals throughout the
island die. 1t is stated that from TWEEN
ty to twenty-six deaths occur on each
of the steamers which carry sick and
disabled troops from Cuba to Spain.
The bodies of those who die en- route
are thrown overheard. Three deaths
occurred on one of these steamers re-
Gently before she left port.
Capt. Gen. Weyler returned to Ha-
vana greatly disguised because of the
erroneous Interpretation of his edict re-
ferring to the gathering of cattle, large
numbers of oxen and COWS having been
slaughtered in consequence of the mis-
understanding of his orders. During
his recent tour Gen. Weyler deposed
the mayors of several towns and sent
various military commanders to Cab
anas castle AT Guines and other towns
he caused the release from custody of
a number of merchants and concen-
trados who had been falsely accused.
Capt Gen Weyler has issued an or
de prohibiting the planting of tobacco
within the boundaries of the military
zone. He declares that If the recon-
centrados die from hunger, the mayors
of the towns will be to blame for
their deaths because of their negll-
gence in carrying out his instructions.
Seven hundred members of the mu-
nicipal fire brigade of Havana have
returned to this city from the Ma
Jana trocha. Many of them were i'll,
and all were disguised. An attack
was made recently by insurgents upon
Fort Santa Ursula, province of San
tiago de Cuba, with no other result
than to cause great alarm among the
residents.
The last Spanish mail steamer
brought final instructions to the au-
thorities regarding the establishment
of the new tariff. Great anxiety is
felt among all classes as to whether
the alterations in the tariffs will end
the ruinous losses to the revenues of
the island resulting from the protec-
ton granted to merchandise imported
from Spain.
The customs receipts on rice and
corn for the four months from March
to June, inclusive, were $780, 900 less
than those for the corresponding
period last year
The insurgent general, Castillo, with
his command. has crossed the line into
the province of Pinar del Rio. The
last advices received refer to engage
ments between his force and the gov
eminent troops, and indicate that he
was defeated. Nestor Arangueren &C
companied Gen. Castillo, and Raoul
Arrange remains alone in charge of the
insurgent forces in the Havana prov
inces
The weather for the last few days
has been terribly hot and extremely
dry.