The times., 1897-08-30
CUBANs GAINING STRENGTH
Gen. BandePes Virtually in Pos
session of Pinar del Rio.
SPANIARDS LOSING HEART
George Eugene Bryson, the News
paper Correspondents, Expelled
From Havana, Arrives in New
York and Speaks Encouraginely
of the Success of the CuhaDs.

Jacksonville, Fla, Aug. 29.--George Eu-
gene Bryson, the New York correspondents.
who was expelled from the Island of
Cuta by order of Gen. Weyler, arrived
here tonight, direct from Havana. Speak
ing OF Cuban affairs, bir. Brysoh said that
the Cubans are stronger now than e;er
before, and that The Spanish forces are
weaker, for the soldiers under Neyler
have not been paid, and consequently VIII
not fight. There IS strong feeling grow
ing In Havana among the SpaIiards in
favor Of annexation of Cuba by the United
States. The Spaniards are not pleased
WIZ Weyler's method of warfare, and the
annexation feeling constantly grows
stronger.
On the other hand, the Cubans oppose
annexation as a rule. They are becou-
ing bitter against America for the man
ner in which the United States hold off
and refuse to assist the struggling csIbans,
and they now declare that in the event
OF any European country coming TO their
assistance that country viii be especially
favored hy the Cuban republic when iE-
dependence is attained.
Gen, Quentin Bs.nderos, of the Cuban
army, has recently entered Pinar del Rio
province with 5000 Iuen, and virtually
holds possession of the province. The
Cuban forces around Havana are con
stantly becoming bolder, and their camp
fires can be seen nightly on the hills
The Spanish troops 60 out TO attack them.
but their hearts are not in it, for they
are receiving no pay, and their Uiire is
taken up 10 greater extent in lassoing
cattle than in hunting for Cubans
fhc supply of fSpanisnproyisioHsinH Havana
is almost exhausted, and for four days
before Nr. Bryson left there had been no
beef obtains bic. Gen. Weyler will not
allow the importation of any beef, and
he controls the supply. All that is brought
into Havana is what is confiscated by
Gen. Weylers soldiers and thatIs disposed
Of by WeNler. 4 large amount of money
is thus made by the captain general aud
1T is not very likely that he viii allow
any beef Imported while there are any
Cattle left on the island.
In regard 10 Ona Melton and the crew
of the Competitor, MIR, Bryson said that
Melton has suffered severely from his
eighteen months confinement in Spanish
dungeons, and has lost his mind to a great
(-AAN-s' AN NcSC Vi tEtsc men APPEAR 10 10
have been entirely dropped by the Ameri-
can authorities, for Melton could ha We teen
set at liberty long ago if any special eff
fort had been made in his behalf by the
representatives OF the United States in
Cnba. He was an American newspa per
correspondent, with proper credentials,
but the consul-general took the ground that
as all of the Competitors crew were cap
tared at the same time, they must all be
treated alike. 1t has been many months
since Melton was visited 10y the consul-gen-
eral, an1 In the meantime he has lain in
the filthy Spanish prison ana starved until
he has aboutIost his reason.
Mr.. Bryson has with him a photo
graph Of Senorita Evangelina Casio Cis-
neros, taken by a Spanish photographer
after she had been in prison for two
months The photograph shows her to be
decided beauty
The Cubans have now about 10000
men in the field, and as soon as the
rainy season is over Weyier will have all
he can attend 10 in looking after the
'pacified" provinces In spite of the
Spanish soldiers and the efforts of the
United states author ties, the Cubans are
! constantly receiving supplies of arms and
ammunition and are comparatively well
equipped