The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-03-15
BEJUCAL RAN WITH BLOOD.
THE OUTRAGEs COMMITTED IN THE
ATTACK MOST HORRIBLE.


Men and Women Perish by Scores.
A New EdIct Orders the Arrest of
All Women Suspected of COnnec-
tiOn with the Insurgents and They
VIII BE Ranished to Puerto PFin-
cipe-Spain Reported to Have Dc
manded an Explanation of the
Guines Affair.
Havana, March 14.-Gen. Melquizo, who
was responsible for the Delgado outrage,
and OF so many other atrocities in Pinar
del Rio province, resentful at not being
promoted for his "heroic" deeds, has de-
cided to return to Spain and on the sick
plea, will sail on March 20. Gen. Solano
viii also leave on the same date.
1t is reported that Col. Nestor Aran-
guren, the Cuban leader, who captured
the Spanish officers on the Guanabacoa
train some time ago, has been summoned
to Gen. Gomez's presence to explain the
reason why he released them without
waiting for orders.
Col Tort of the civil guards. who was
in command of CURES when the rebels
the charge of neglect of duty and cow
ardice, and soon will be court-martialed.
Further details of the attack on BeJucal
have been received. The insurgents car
ried away in carts all the effects taken
from the stores. Three days ago, there
were sixteen houses still burning in the
outskirts. Two fine horses belonging to
the military commander were also carried
away. The outrages committed there
were horrible. Many residents, women
and men, perished. The official report
simply states that it was an attack on
one of the forts. and, as usual, the rebels
were repulsed with great losses
Persons moving in military circles are
authority for the statement that Captain
General Weyler has received telegram
from Spain inquiring about the Guines af-
fair 1t was not reported officially.
Captain General Weyler gave an evasive
reply and tried to diminish its Importance
at the same time announcing his intention
of leaving for the field on the following
day. He was answered back with an or
der to remain and await further orders.
Secret orders have been given by Gen.
Weyler that whenever an attack is made
on a town or city, all the female resi-
| dents, on the simple suspicion of having
connections with the insurgents, shall at
once be arrested as enemies of Spain. They
will be subject to court martial and de-
portation This order has also been car
| ried into effect, for on the day following
| the entry of the rebels nine women, with
| their fifteen children, the majority of the
| latter being babies, were arrested and
brought to Havana.
Persons visiting the palace Thursday
| night were shocked at the sight of poor,
forlorn human beings, all huddled on the
| floor of one of the corridors with their ba-
| bies in their arms, all crying for want of
food they having been deprived of nour-
! ishment or drink during the whole day 1t
was pitiful spectacle. Even the volun-
| teers on duty at the palace were moved TO
compassion and all were indignant at such
cruel treatment of helpless women.
From the palace orders were given to
| send them all to the Case de Recogidas, or
| house of i'll repute, for degraded women,
| and later on to be banished to Puerto Prin-
| cipe. Imagine the misery and sufferings
| these people will experience in place un-
| known TO them.
Gen. Jiminez Castellanos, learning that
the members of the revolutionary gov
ernment were at San Geronimo, started on
| March from Puerto Principe, with a
| strong column, with the intention of max
| ing an attempt to capture them. The
| official report of the movement has lust
|
march of the troops, which occupied five
| days, the column was constantly at
tackled by insurgent bands. Several live
| ly fights occurred, in all of which :he
rebels were beaten and dispersed, with
many losses. Notwithstanding these con.
! tinual defeats and dispersions, the rebels
/ hung onto the fanks of the column and
| prevented 1t from reaching its intended
| destination.
The sufferings of the troops were aug
mented by a scarcity Of water While or
| the road. Gen. Castellanos ordered the con-
| struction of a fort in which to leave his
wounded. After it was completed forty sol
| diers were left to protect it, and the col
umn moved on. Later a force of rebels
attacked the fort but were 'repulsed with
| heavy losses"
The official report says that in the diff
/ ferent encounters he rebels left AZ dead
on the field. The troops lost two lieuten-
ants and six prlvates killed and three lieu
tenants and % privates wounded.
Sylvester Scovel. the American newspa-
per correspondent, who was released from
| jail at Sancti Splritus on Thursday last
| arrived here to-day.