New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1874-03-23
CUBA.
THE DISORDERS THROUGHOUT THE
ISLAND.

FINANCIAL EMBARRA Observation-Disclosures con-
DUCT OF GEN. PORTIILo.
tYRoM A SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT OF THE TRIBUSE'l
HAVANA, March IA great deal has been pub
ished in the Havana journals regarding the bad and
treacherous conduct Of the American Governments
toward the Cuban authorities in regard to the fill
busters These articles serve TO keep up the raneor-
GUS spirit entertained against the Americans. II the
Government of the United States were chargeable
with only the hundredth part of the misdeeds with
which these papers accuse il, the Spanish rule IN
Cuba would not be of long duration. The chief
cause Of thsis, doubt, the Slavery question: The
majority Of the Spanards here are mOnarchsts who
believe that republicanism Of the worst crimes
Of which a man be accused here, leads event
ually to the freedom of the slaves. The greater
part of the Spaniards of Cuba would hail with joy
the accession of Don Carlos the throne of SPAIN
The rebellion could, no doubt have been crushed
long ago il such had been the wishes of the Spanish
people but, the rebellion over, Slavery must come
to an end, and after it other reforms would follow.
Therefore il has been allowed to drag on toward its
sixth year, until its proportions have assumed such
magnitude as seriously to threaten the western half
of the island the eastern end being nearly all IN the
hands of the Cubans, excepting along the sea coast
Any military assistance from Spain is now out Of the
question: and the authorities here will have to rely
upon their own resources.
The financial question is now the most important
topic of the day. The Diario in its editorial of
Tuesday treats of the dangers of the situation, and
says:
How can We be silent when the country is decidedly
moving toward rulni As spaniards we see that the
economical situation of the country can very much
prejudice the national integrity As inhabitants we are
the verge Of consuming minute by minute the re-
mander OF the cOuntrys prosperity In order to avoid
great momentary pecuniary sacrifices, in order not 10
contract loans with interest invite the Government
ISSUE OF the public treasury, Spanish
Bank bills OF Havana guaranteed by all the richness OF
the provinces and specifying yearly for its peri
odicai funding With this solid guarantee the principal
planters, manufacturers, merchants and proprietors
should bind themselves to these bank bills the
gold in all their transactions and the general
public should follow their example, not opposing any
obstacle to the circulation Of this money In this man.
would establish confidence. But II this or some
thing ellie is not adopted forthwith, an abyss will be
opened and opened by our hands, and will, In a
few months bury the prosperity of province that was
the envy Of all the nations upon the earth
The plan of the Dario is, no doubt, very good
one but it la. one great obstacle against ii to make
it work and that is want of confidence in the Gov
eminent and its employees. 1t would also be neces-
sary to have very large share of patriotism, which,
when the pockets of the Spainards are affected
to such extent as this measure pro-
poses, would be sadly lacking. The pres
ent bank bills are not even current in the
southern and eastern end of the island. the people
refusing to take them at any price If the Spainard
can buster send congratulatOry kilograms from one
casino to the other, and have his name appear In
print he does not mind the expense, calls 1t patriot
isrn and his inordinate vanity and pride are
gratiGed. But when it comes to paying increased
Ill f1n
ment, that Is another matter and every possible
plan. even fraud, is resorted to III order to eyade
paying his just contributions
The 70. de Cuba has published the following letter
from point near the Trocha Of Incaro and Moron:
Numerous reenforcements are now arriving here I;
this line is now such state tn at all the forces OF the
Instruction cannot break its barriers, and IL under
stood that the Bricadier will very soon take the
initiative against the rebels with strong column, and
will give them plenty OF work. II they do not soon
emigrate to the Eastern Department But at the same
time that the military aspect is 80 favorable, another
question presents ITSELF which to-day can be called the
vital question OF subsistence and resources. Each
battalion that arrives Is Increasing the prices OF
food and to such extent that the day
not far when it will be impossible TO live and
the soldiers will have to die OF hunger, though men
are constantly Wanting their patriotism, who are more
Spanish than Cid Many of them do not know if is
for spor always parading the honorable cockade
Of the Volunteers In their hats
The Vos refers to another letter relating to
of the rural police who had been twenty-four hours
in the mountains, pursuing some evi-dOers, without
having eaten anything in all this time" They
arrived at country inn and store (all in onel and
asked for something with which to satisfy their
hunger. offering to pay for it at its just price They
had no money but bills of the Spanish Bank, which
being the same with which the State had paid them,
they offered TO the of the store at whatever
discount he might wish to exact; bat they were
refused and he would take the bills at no figure.
They had to leave the establishment without hav
ing secured anything to eat The Vos calls strongly
upon the authorities take notice of these scanda
lous dOings
The situation in and about Puerto Principe, by
the accounts received here is not enyiablo Gen.
Portillo rules that district with an iron hand The
execution of persons upon the slightest suspicion Is
an everyday occurrence Adolfo Bello, artist, of
the firm of Bello Il Demonte, photographers at
Puerto Principe, has been one Of the numerous vic
tins. He had been quite active in organizing private
tneatrica,s for the Dement, OF parish of San Vicente
de Paul This created a suspicion in the mind of POr
lilo that the funds so collected for the benefit
of the insurgents, and he was heard to say that
Beo's case must be investigated. Bello upon being
told of this became extremely frightened and de-
teTmined to fly from the city, taxing Win MIN MS
servant, a mulatto boy. He had, however. not gone
further than two leagues, when he repented, and
presented himself at one of the numerous small forts
in the vicinity. Word sent to Portillo of
his being there His wife hearing of it. too, sought
an interview with Gen. Portillo, and implored him
upon her knees to spare her husband Portio turned
deaf ear to her entreaties and moreover told her
that, before another day had dawned, she would be
widow and her children fatherless. The poor woman
tainted and was carried out. Portillo gave orders
Ia bring Belo toward Puerto Principe and. to shoot
him on tho road which was done. His partner,