The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1869-09-02
CUBA.
RumOrs ola Change in the Government ofthe
Ialnud.


This important information comes to us in letter
dated Havana, August 2S:
Strange and exciting rumors are rife in political
circles, and persons claiming TO speak by authority
assure us that his EXceenCy tn Captain-General
mas received telegram from Madrid charging nun
to prepare the country for change in the Govern
ment Following this, say they, he had various
conferences with the chiefs of several departments
and afterwards indicated TO the press the course
which it should pursue. 1t is also stated that he has
ordered the archives of the Government to be car
red to the Cabanas fortress and that it has Already
been commenced, though with the utmost secrecy.
IL is further reported that the Spaniards are queCy
circulating among then selves manifesto asking
Tor the autonomique ioreseeing that the separation
of the island from Spain is not far distant. and Will
ing, for their ultimate safety and advantage, to go
with the current, since they cannot dam or con-
troll it,
Doubtless these reports are false, and for many
months to come viii be carried on this war; dis
grace to civilization and the age, in which the prln-
ciples Of humanity have no part, but rather the
ferocity of the tiger, and neither age nor sex, bell-
gerent nor neutral, is spared Still these stories,
started no one knows how, eagerly caught up by
all classes, repeated and commented upon in way
which indicates how much peace and restoration
of order are desired, no matter in what manner.
The Spaniards of this island are men of business,
entirely practical in their character and though very
patriotic and of intense prejudice, am satisfied
would not wish to carry on the war for one hour
beyond fair chance of success and at no distant
day. Most of them appreciate the fact that with all
the vast extent Of blood and treasure, with the
cruelty and devastation manifested upon both
sides, with exile and sequestratiOn the in
surrection is no nearer its termination than
1t was months ago. nor would there seem to be
any prospect of either party achieving success
Meanwhile the island is becoming less and less vau-
able The insurgents of late would seem to have
determined to make it as little so as possible, and
have inangurated new era of destruction, while
the madness and brutality of the Spanish soldiers
though, perchance. having less method, place them
in no whit behind their antagonists in the career of
desolation. Sober, thoughtful men among the
Spaniards begin to inquire, GLOW much longer
shall this last and to what good end?p Meanwhile
the island long since ceased to pour her treasure
into the lap of Spain, and instead thereof has become
burden upon that already bankrupt power. In the
light OF these facts it is evident that peace and It's
attendant blessings, now so ardently longed for
here, will not come to us through the trivial and
lhGetelmlnate operations Of the combatants in the
field, but rather through negotiations from the out
side, based on the fact that longer continuance Of
the war can only result in the destruction OF the
island, with no corresponding benefit to any one,
and in multiplied burdens upon the home govern
ment. already sinking beneath its load.
tButchery of Prisoners Near Jiguani.
SANTIAGO DE CUBA, Aug. 2n-Ine sCearuer Cieu-
futg g s, which arrived on the 18th inst from MAJ
ZaJjlo. bronghu full confirmation OF the murder OF
our innocent townsmen by Colonel Palacios Still
the details are extremely meagre as only the assas
sins are left to tell the tale. The prisoners, the
friends who accompanied them, and even their
fired into until no one was left alive They
were twenty one in all, including the eleven who SET
out from here, nine oil their friends accompanying
them from Manzano and Bayamo, and a cook
hired in the former place. Among the friends We're
men, who defended themselves for thirty days in a
| house in Holguin against the insurgents. These
were included in the indscriminate slaughter the
murderers in order to conceal their crime It's much
| as possible, making no discrimination.
The excitement here resulting from this most
| balbarOus act was fearful, and the agony of the
dead mems relations beyond description, many Of
them being left entirely destitute; and yet there
were fouhu some Spanards so lost to all sense of
shame as openly to rejoice over this savage butch
cry. Among these were captain in the army and a
priest, who had special orge in public place OF
| refreshment, drinking "to the health of Colonel
Paacios, and safe passage to the internal regions
for the murdered men," This sCandalOuS conduct
| was severely condemned by the Governor, VINO sent
the captain, named Larso de la Vega under arrest to
! Havana, and his contemplate companion Padre
Lecanda, only escaped the same fate by the most
abject entreatleS.
The impression caused by this tragedy is yery
deep, as it shows clearly that under existing circum
stances no life is safe, and strong hopes OF Amer
can interference are cherished by all who have still
something to lose. The gleam OF hope raised by the
proclamation of Cabaero de Rodas announcing a.
the motto, 'Spain, Justice, and Morality has det
out since it is plain that, though Spain is fully re
presented, justice and morality are entirely los
sight OF.
The Spanish GunbOats.
The last OF the ten gunboaTs, says the n. !: Horh
Of this morning, which were to be built for th'
Spanish Government by the Messrs. POillon wa
launched yesterday afternoon at O'clock The kee
of the first one was laid May 10, and she wa
launched June 26, being built in thrty-three work
ing days; and these gentlemen have averaged on
completed the whole ten in the short space .
Rary eveT WSkqs besu aa despatch Of that e ma
were built on the same stocks. These boat
are 1O5 feet on the keel; 22 feet inches beam;
80 feet depth OF hold. The engines TO be $50
horse power, and they are to be fitted with a dOab
screw Their armament is to be one l0JpOiInd Pa rO
rife on revolving carriage. The complement o
men is to be forty; and they expected to draw
when ready for sea, feet and IL inches, and ar
guaranteed to go ten knots per hour. The whol
number to he built Is thirty, fifteen OF which hay
been completed at Mystic and fifteen in this cry
Should the Spanish Government be fortunate cuoug
to get this fleet to sea, they will have cruising an
hlockadiDg fleet which viii efiectually protect IN
/ d UliDuSternp