The San Francisco call., 1897-03-20

licans continues. The newspapers which
support the Government hold up the
threat to the papers opposed to 1t that
they will be suspended if they print news
adverse to Spain's interests.
An editorial published by La Epoca,
Canovas' organ, has been transmitted by
cable to Havana. 1t says that the aglta-
.tion promoted by Carlists, Republicans
and filibusters will oblige the Government
to suspend constitutional rights over
Spain and take strong measures to main
tain public order in Madrid and the pro-
vinces.
The Spaniands in Havana are alarmed
over the situation and say that the first
shot fired in Spain will mean the utter loss
of Cuba. The news from the Philippine
Islands also continues to be unfavorable to
the Spaniards and all the signs are against
Spanish success.
The terrible characterization of the
Spanish army in Cuba is caused by the
detection due to Weyler's conduct. From
the generals down to the soldiers every
one complains of the captain-general, the
soldiers on account OF the i'll treatment
they suffer and the officers of highest
rank because, as they assert, Weyler
envies them, treats them unfairly and
tries 10 shlrk his responsibility for the
failure of the campaign, attributing it to
his subordinates.
As soon as the news came to Havana of
the landing of an expedition III Pinar del
Rio, Weyler sent an angry dispatch to
General Melguizo, in which he said that
the flibusters might have been captured
had it not been for Meiguizo's own care
Iessness. Meguizo answered in similar
heated words. saying that the fault lay at
the door of Weyler and the Naval Depart
ment.
The result was that Weyler recalled
Melguize from the field and ordered him
TO depart for Spain.
Some of the other generals are in the
same situation, and one of them has pub
licly said in Havana: General Weyler
is monster from the point of view OF hu-
manity. His instincts are beastly. He is
leech upon the public treasury and is al
ways thirsty for gold"
A colonel and a lieutenant have been
court-martialed by General Weyler and
put in Jail on account of the bold attack
o. the insurgents upon Guines, reported
last NeSA. Out w eyer LAS NO Tcdl CduSo
TO accuse these officers, and bis attitude
toward them is great injustice. The in
surgents were enabled to make this sue
Cessful attack on account of Weyler's own
orders, for ne had the best Spanish troops
in the province of Havana, including those
at Guines, sent to him last month to the
province of Santa Clara.
The Cubans have again attacked Be-
jucal, and with the same result as in their
earlier attack. The attack was led by
General Aranio. Several houses were de-
stroyed. and the garrison, as at Guines.
had to fortifv itself at the church. Many
stores were ransacked by the Cubans and
plenty OF provisions were secured.
This is not the only instance of recent
fighting in the province of Havana near
the capital itself. The sugar estate in
Central Salvador was attacked by the
patriots and its splendid sugar-cane fields
burned. Some resistance was atten pied
by the garrison, but it had to yield after
nine soldiers had been killed and eighteen
@ wounded
Near Rincon a train carrying Spanish
soldiers was blown up with dynamite by
the Cubans. The armored car was utterly
destroyed and six soldiers were killed and
many wounded.
In Pinar del Rio province the insurgents
show also great activity. An engagement
is reported in which the Spanish Colonel
Menar confessed that his column had met
with heavy losses. He gives no details,
from which 1t is inferred that he was
badly defeated