The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-03-02
GU B A..
Rumored Change in the Com.
mand of the Island.
CONCHA THE COMING MAN.
The Enlarged Properties Of Americana
Practical ConHscation Determined On.
HAVANA, Feb. q, 1874.

HAVANA, Feb. q, 1874
FOR TWO days past report has been very gen.
orally current that the home government has
manifested lts dlsapprOhation Of the late DEGREES
Oh captain General Jovellar, and the measures to
De carried out under them, in reference TO the
state OF siege the draft. &C.
Inc situation oil the island Is indeed an anoni-
a'oas one. An ihsurrechon exists, to sup
press which mas for five wears bafned
every effort of SPAIN which constitutes a
state OF war de Jacto, though the Span
| tsh government fearful OF the recognition
by other nations OF their adversaries as belliper
ents persists In declaring it to the outbreak of
q few misguided men, and made up Of Cinnamon,
| marauders and bandits. While thus persistent in
declaring that no state OF war exists in Cuba the
government OF the island has recourse to the most
stringent measures and such as ma tions only use
as q last resort.
Such state of things cannot last long, and the
disapproval, II true 1t be. of the Spanish govern
ment Of the Captain Generals DEGREES will force
CHANGE IN THE HEAD OF THE ISLAND
and already rumor points to the man who on
every vacancy il put forward as candidate for
the once, not heretofore with success but who at
present, with the existing Cabinet at Madrid, and
strongly supported as he Is by the wealthy OIL
garchy OF Cuba, has the best chance to the sue
cessor Of Captain General Jovellar il the change
really medirated.
The person referred to has had command OF the
island on two occasions and ruled with
hand OF iron. The name OF Don
J6se Gutierrez de la Concha, Marquis OF
Havana has figured in the annals in letters OF bold
relief Captain General from 1850 to 1852, he had
to contend with the flibustering attempts Of
Narcso Lopez, and succeeded in ca pturing the ex-
petition landed by that brave and gallant leader,
who was ruthlessly garroted in the public square,
while Crittenden and others OF the expedition
were shot on the slope Of the Atares Fort. Again
in command from 1854 to 1859, Concha conducted
affairs in the strongest manifestation OF that
policy which Spain has so long adopted for her
colonies.
Concha's popularity among certain part OF thb
Spaniards, 'the uncondtonals, Is not OF a nature
to inspire confidence in the future or this unhappy
island. In suppressng the lnsurrectlon OF 1851 and
1854 many cruel deeds were committed, the orders
for which emanated from him. When Narcis0
Lopez was captured and fell into his power Concha
led his former companion in arms (for they had
served in the same regimenD to believe
that he would mitigate his punishment and
not sign the death warrant; but, never
tneiess, although showing reluctance
which those who knew him believed to be 1eigned
he signed chat instrument, and Lopez yielded up
his lie on the garrOte.
However, times have changed considerably since
he held command here. Concha Of to-day Is not
the Concha OF twenty years ago. Former insur-
rections
WERE SUPPRESSED AT THE START;
the present one has existed now for over nve
years. 1t is not now the Captain General alone
who "orders anu commands" In the whirlgig
face Of politics. VINO. once they learn what
power is and what Influence they weld, are 10th
have their myers in the political muddle Of this
island, and although there exists strong party in
Concha is the only man capable Of restoring peace
and prosperity TO the island there are many more
weakness and that his wealth has dWndled away.
believe that all his iItrigUes the past years to
gam this command are with the view OF OBJ
ncted purse. Besides, he has been a life
long supporter of the Bourbons, though since the
September revolution QS6S1 he has Kept himself
aloof from active politics and maintained q
retieence in the expression of hts views on the i'm
| pOrtant questions which have excited and kept
| Spain in 1erment ever since.
With the two leading Journals OF this city, the
Dia,1o and Toz dc Cuod, Concha has unoounaed
popularity. BY them the intrigues Tor his third
command of the island have been continued.
With them the dominant idea exists,
Spanish seii.styled sunconditionals,n that ne
| is the only man who, from his former experience
! and success IN suppressing two instructions,
knows what means and measures are necessary
for the government OF Cuba, and the only general
be memorable. and viii direct all his efforts to the
welfare OF spain, the preservation OF Spanish in
|
| equal Importance, VIII attend to their wishes,
whether authorized or not in spain.
! Among the pacific part OF the native Cuban pop
ulation Concna is no Iavorlte. His name alone
| throws terror into their hearts Among them he
and %e ambitious s tSs
ever hed !pe reins of government IN thus island.
and the Odium attached TO his name Is such
appointment e the chief command wIii
| be in defiance OF the sentiments OF humanity OF
the civilized world, and they even entertain
strong hopes OF interference from foreign nations
should he be again Installed. 1t Is also rumored
that General Lopez DomingueZ, the conqueror OF
Cartagena, is TO be the successor OF General Jo-
/ vear.
such are the rumors current and their eject
upon the public mind 1t Is more than probable,
however. that they without any foundation
whatever, and that no change is intended for the
present, General Jovenar giving 1uli satisfaction
TO the leading men here ana. though there are
approval OF majority OF the Spaniards IN the
| island.
! EMBARGoED PROPERTIES.
! The order from che government OF Spain for the
release from embargo OF the property or American
Gus trivial reasons have been gwen Tor the delay,
and the misery entailed upon many families by the
/ exceedingly aflicting. Numbers of American
citizens nave been thus deprived OF the neces-
saries to maintain themselves in comfort. The
| rents or houses or slaves, the products or
! their lands and plantations, have all been seized
for the benent OF the government, or rather OF its
minlons The under authorities here have delayed,
| from day to day anu from month TO month, to act
! justly toward the claimants or their agents, But
| the authorities have recently been pressed Tor eX-
cuses Tor further delay, and discovering that the
United states Is In earnest In her demand ior the
release OF the estates and other properties or
! American citizens, have resorted to another des-
potic attempt
TO PRACTICALLY CoNFIscATE
the property instead Of only embargoing IL.
The American owners OF these estates, not having
been In possession OF them for nve years. are to be
! compelled TO pay ordinary and extraordinary
taxes for that time, and the total amount OF these
taxes Will be so large that the owners WIN be forced
to sell or abandon their property The authorities
refuse absolutely to pay over the proceeds for the
past Ave years thereby rendering 1t impossible for
| the large majority OF the owners Qt embargoed
tates to pay the taxes, as most OF them have been
living in poverty since they were driven frem the
island.
salvin, she famous Italian tragedian, viii COM
! mence his season Tor twenty nights at the Tacon
Theatre next Thursday. The subscription is pro-