The evening herald. [volume] (Shenandoah, Pa.) 1891-1966, 1897-01-13
CHEERING NEWS
FOR CUBANS !
Their Prospects for Ultimate Victory
Growing Brighter.
WEYLER'S FALSE STATEMENTS /
His Report That There Are Only Five
Hundred Insurgents in the Province
Of Pinar del Rio Disproved by
Latest Developments.
WEYLER'S FALSE STATEMENTS

KEY WEST, Fla. Jan. 13.-According to
advices received here from Havana the
government does not allow news Of the
burning Of plantations, etc, to be pub.
lished, but it is stated on reliable authority
that if the government allowed the grind
ing of cane in Havana province the plan
ters would not be able TO make 10000 hogs
heads of sugar, because, from eight miles
out of Havana as far as Matanzas, nearly
all the sugar cane has be1n burned
General Weyler asserts that there are
only 800 insurgents in the province Of
Pin8r del Rio, but the Cubans say that he
will shortly repent having made such a
statement. There is no doubt that the in
surgents have suffered greatly from sick
ness n other causes, but it is claimed
that should the Spanish commander only
partly withdraw his troops from the west
ern part of Pinar del Rio the insurgents
will again concentrate in large bodies,
having only scattered into small groups
for the present in order to escape the over
whelmingly large force sent against them.
Only q few weeks ago the captain gem
eral admitted that there were still 1900
men undo arms against the government
in Pinar del Rio. But the troops have
certainly not brought back with them
from the mountains 5000 machetes, much
less 5000 rifles and the necessary ammuni-
ton. The Cubans claim that all such
statements are directed from Madrid for
the purpose Of influencing congressional
action at Washington, and there is good
reason to believe that such Is the case, By
apparently showing the pacification Of
Ptnar del Rio the Spaniards undoubtedly
hope TO prevent any recognition Of the
belligerency of the Cubans.
As a matter of fact, by the death Of
Maceo, there seems to be little or no
change in the situation when compared
with what it was a year ago, unless it is
that the Cubans have more confidence,
more arms II more ammunition than
ever before, n that they are carrying the
warfare close to the gates Of Havana.
Such a state of affairs is likely to continue,
from all appearances, until the Spaniards
are exhausted financially and compelled
to agree to all or nearly all the demands
Of the Cubans. The latter are playing a
slow but sure waiting game, and they can
afford to do so, for it is apparent to every
disinterested spectator Of the struggle that
this policy must win sooner or later.
A great deal, of course, depends upon
Maxine Gomez n the progress his army
will make during the next few weeks or
so. But it is not thought likely that Co
mez will risk n pitched battle with the
Spaniards when he can probably accom-
plish the end in view without taking any
such chances. However, the Cubans ok
pect military news of Importance shortly,
as it is understood that they have been adj
yised by the New York junta that the mo-
ment is opportune for a coup of some kind
which will be of Importance enough to
demonstrate that General Weyler is not
stating the exact facts when he says that
the province of Pinar del Rio is pacihed,
and that he is now proceeding to accom-
plish the p%aci6cation of the island of Cuba.
The insurgents have been frequently
tainted by the Spaniards, and the fact has
been much commented upOni in the United
States that the insurgents do not possess
q single town Of any Importance. This is
susceptible Of an easy explanation. 1t is
almost impossible for forces lacking i'm
artillery to capture fortified towns pro
vided with an abundance of artillery and
plenty Of ammunition for the same. But
now the insurgent leaders have been pro
vided with a few field pieces, which, al
though they may not be of suficiently
large caliber to be used as siege guns, may
shortly be utilized in a manner which viii
astonish the Spanish, who have hitherto
enjoyed considerable immunity owing t,
having the monopoly of artillery of tn,
island. During recent months things
have been made more equal, and the insur
gents are not placed at the same disadvan
tages that they were twelve months ago.