The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1897-09-08
ARREST OF a WEALTHY
MERCHANT.
Fight With the lasurgents-Terri5ze
Mortality From Epidemic Ds-
eases Weyler IN Rage.

Havana. via Key West. Fla. Sep.
(tember 5.-A wealthy merchant named
Bias Casares has been arrested in
Puerto Principe, charged With political
Offences.
A party Of Insurgents recently made
an attack upon Fort Sacto Cristo Dsl-
vale, near Sabalo, in the Province Of
Pinar del Rio. The garrison made a
stout resistance, bot tie insurgents set
FIRE to touse near the walls OF the
fort, which took fire, compelling the
garrison to retire, with the loss of six
men killed. Two brothers oamed
PortiIlo made stand behind tree,
aud were reinforced by nunber of
their comrades. After sharp fighting
the insurgents were driven of, With
the loss of four killed and six wounded
L is reported that group of insurgents
attacked and entered the town Of jana
guayabo, near Remedies, where they
sacked several stores and burned nun :
Der Of houses. It is also reported that
.be insurgents have fred upon Guira
Meleaa, 10 Havana Province.
During the mouth of August FIVE
hundred persons died in Guipes from
epidemic diseases. All oil the victims,
With one exception we're Cabans. The
rate Of mortality among the refugees is
very great, and the same is true re-
garding the troops. The mortality due
to yellow fever. malaria and dyseutery
is excessive. It is estimated that 81
out Of every thousand sick soldiers in
the hospitals sbroughout the island die.
L is stated that from 20 to 26 deaths
occur on each trip of the steamere
which carry sick and disabled troops
from Cuba to Spaiu. The bodies Of
those who die en route are thrown
overheard. Three deaths occurred 90
one Of these steamers recently before
SIZE left port
Captain General Weyler returned to
Havana greatly disgusted because Of
the erroneous Interpretation Of his edics
referring to the gathering Of cattle,
large numbers Of oxen and cows kav.
ing been slaughtered in consequence Of
his orders. During his recent tour Gen
Weyler deposed the mayors Of several
towns and SEPT various military com
manders to Cabanas Castle.
At Guines and other towns be caused
the release from custody Of number of
merchants and reconcentraaos, wbo bad
been falsely accused
Captain General Weyler has issued
an order prohibi.isg the planting Of to-
bscco within the boundaries Of the mill
cary cultivated zone. He declares that
il the reconceotrados die from hunger
the ma.ors Of the towns will be to
blame for their deaths because of their
negligence ia carrying out his iostruc
tions.
Seven hundred members of the
municipal FIRE brigade have returned to
this city frora the Majapa ,rocha
Many of them are i'll aud all are dis
gusted. An attack was made recently
upon Fort Santa Ursula. Province cf
Santiago de Cuba. With no other result
than to cause great alarm among the
residents.
The last Spanish mai! steamer
brought final instructions to the autho-
rites regardiog the establishment of
the new tariff Great anxiety is felt
amoag all classes as to whether the al
terations in the tariff will end the
ruinous losses to the revenues of the
protection granted 10 merchandise i'm.
ported from Spain. The customs re.
ceipts on rice and corn for the four
months from March to June, inclusive.
we're 800. 900 less than those for the
corresponding period last year.
The ipsnrgent 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 forces and the Gov
ermens troops, and indicate that he was
defeated.
Nessor Arangueren accompanied Gen
Castillo. aed Raoui Araogo remains
alone in charge of the insurgens forces
in Havana provinces.
The weather for the last few days
has been bot aud extremely dry