The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1889-11-17
KEY VESTS STRIKE.
New Trouble Arises Just When Peace
Seemed Assured.


Seemed Assured.
JACKSONVILLE, FLA, Nov 16.-The
latest Key West advices indicate that the
present cigarmakers' strike may be ended
before long. Mr.. Baker. of Baker g.
Duboise, set 100 men to work in the Finis
factory last Thursday morning by a COM
promise ON the demands OF the workmen.
This factory was the last one to close and
it is the first to open. Mr.. Baker saws his con-
cessions will sacrifice his entire profits, but
he opens simply to hold his trade. Mr..
Costello has also opened his factory with
100 men, but both he and Mr.. Baker may
be compelled to close again, for the men
had only worked one day when the pickers
and packers came out with a demand for
an increase. This was an unexpected quar-
ter of attack, and the manufacturers hardly
know what to do. No action will be taken
until Monday. The strike has greatly de-
pressed every branch of business IN Key
West, and some manufacturers have no
hope Of a settlement before January.
SPANISH INTERFERENCE.
A Key West special to the Times Ultiolt
received tonight says: "The committee
recently appointed by the board of trade to
investigate the alleged interference Of the
Spanish authorities with Cubans now
AVlDK u6Ee, dS well dS WIN uhLlN6
born children of naturalized Cubans,
made report TO that body
last Wednesday. The board had it under
discussion for some time, and finally ac-
cepted it. Subsequently it was ordered
sent to Gov. Fleming, with the request that
he transmit it to Secretary Blaine of the
state department in order that the govern
ment might take action to protect the island
from the depopulation scheme of the Span
ish officials.
THE REPORT.
The report was first made public to-day
and is in part as follows:
Your committee. throughout its investiga-
tions has been amazed at the adroltness of the
Spanish consuls intrigues here during the past
few weeks. Everywhere and through every
ramihcation of the strike the subtle hand of the
Spanish authorities in Cuba can be plainly
traced. Never before have the strikes been
marked by foreign interference. But in
the present instance the sorry spectac Q
has been presented of an unwarranted inter
ference in local affairs OF the country by rep
resentative of a foreign nation, whose hospital
ity he Is enjoying upon professed assurance of
| good will and amity toward 1t by his govern.
| nent, melting and urging laborers to hostility
and hatred toward his former employers and
benefactors.
CONSULAR CUNNING.
We do not desire to appear discourteous
toward the Spanish consul here, believing that
uo Is merely the lnStfulnont assigned To carry
out the instructions of his Superiors, but evil
dence of his cupidity and cunning
has confronted us at every step. Al
the very threshold of the strike we find him
attending meeting of the committee called to
to discuss the situation. He was there not in
the interest of peace. nor to urge return to
work, nor to arbitrate their grievanc s, but
with professed pecuniary aid for conveying the
workmen and their families from this island.
HIS EhIssARIEs ALSO AT WORK.
Meantime his paid emissaries were not idle.
The influence of Spanish gold was being in
voked and provisions sent from Havana, and
the dissatisfied laborers whose feelings and
sympathies were thus captured were urged to
return to Cuba. Even now after four weeks,
when the commercial interest of the island has
been forced to the verge of bankruptcy,
several manufacturers have partially
yielded to the demands Of the
workmen and resumed work. we find house
toulouse canvass still being made by agents
alleged to be in the employ OF the Spanish con-
sui; urging the workmen to avail themselves Of
the final trip of the gunboat and return to
Cuba before, as they are led to believe, starva-
ton overtakes them.
PRESENCE OF THE GUEBoAT.
We invite attention to the remarkable, nm
precedented occurrence of Spanish naval
vessel sent here on four different occasions to
convey Cuban workmen to Havana. Over 1000
laborers with their families and effects have
been transported to Cuba. OF course we do not
question the right of any foreign government to
extend its protection to its subjects when
IN distress, but when we md representa-
tivekiof that government violating hospitality
which he is perm tilted to enjoy in this country,
under the guiseof friendship, by inciting and
urging its peacable inhabitants to abandon
their adopted homes, and furnishing them
transportation in public vessel, even to the
children of naturaIized American parents, we
feel that the limit of patience has been reached
and a halt should be called to administer a
fitting rebuke.
SPANISH NEWSPAPER COMMENTS.
Attention Is also called to the telegraphic
columns Of La Lllcha, the official organ of
Madrid congratulating Captain General Sala-
manca in having removed the Cuban colony
at Key West, which menaced Spanish in
terests in America; also to an extract from La
EDoca, published at Madrid, Spain, comment
ing on the favorable impression which has been
created in the cortes by the announcement that
to Cuba, thus making signal victory for the
autonomists.