The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1895-03-20
"Cuba Will be Free.
Gen. Maseo's Answer to a
Peace Commission.

TAMPA, FLA, March 14.-When the
Olivette arrived this evening from Ha-
vana, a rush was made for the passen-
gers in search of Cuban revolutionary
news. Very few would admit Knowing
anything until finally the Times-Union
correspondent struck a Cuban who had
come CD an important mission. He
stated that a provisional government
had been organized and that General
Marti had been made Provisional Presi-
don't, General Gomez was made Gcner-
al-in-ctief. The revolutionary army as
nov organized, consists of five thous-
and infantry and three thousand cav
airy. The Cubans are armed with
machetes and rifles, while the Spanish
forces are armed with rifles and the old
style sword, which is very clumsy.
This morning Edward Castleton, the
man who created a sensation yesterday
by shooting into the Office of the SDan-
ish vice consul at this port. was fued
So in the mayors court aud nas taken
III charge by the State. lie is now in
Jail This morning he sent three tele-
grams 10 the Spanish consul at Wash
lngton, but Up to this hear 10 reply
had been received. Deputy Vice Consul
J. N. Fernandez, Wired to tie consul
at Washington yesterday concerning
Castleton and the reply was, eve
know nothing of him The kilograms
sent BY Cas:leton to-day we're 10 cypber.
Last Saturday a peace commission iu
behalf Of the government visited Man
zaniila aud conferred with the iosur-
gent Commander General Maslo, with a
view to inducing that officer and his
command to lay down their arm and
take the oath of allegiance to the gov
eroment. 10 which case they would be
granted pardon. The commission con-
sisted of General Marco Garcia, one Of
the most noted rebel leaders of the last
instruction, and F. %Spoturno. Tuesday
they returned unsuccessful and
thoroughly disguised. Gen. Maslo re-
ceived them courteously, listened to
their arguments and granted them an
hour in which to leave camp. or else
suffer the penalty of being shot.
Cuba will be free from Spanish mis-
rule said Gen. Maslo, "for war will
endure ten years or longer if neces-
sary."
From Santa Clera in the eastern part
of the island, come reports of a general
uprising during the past ten days. In
Havana there are 40 signs Of rebellion,
although during Tuesday night the po-
lice quietly raided a house 90 st.
Nicholas street and cop6scated a maya
zine Of cartridges and powder stored
there. No arrests we're made, as the
house bad no occupants at the time of
the raid. In Havana, up 20 the time of
the departure of toe Olivette, no word
had been received regarding the 6riog
upon the Coloo-New York mail steam
ship Alliance by a Spanish %guoboat.
IF the outrage occurred. as there is
no reason to doubt from the statement
Of Captain Crossman," said a well in-
formed passenger. 1t must have been
the torpedo boat Nuevo Espania, which
has been painted black sioce being as
signed to shore patrol duty" The
Nuevo Espania is known to be on the
east coast, and is onlv capable of ruu
ming fifteen to seventeen knots an hour,
which accounts for the ease with which
the Alliaoca distanced her.
Rumors have for several days circE-
lated in Tampa that a consignment Of
arms vas en route to a gulf port for re-
shipmentto Cuba in aid Of the Cuban
instruction. Rutnors further seemed
founded that a fIibustering expedition
would receive the arms at this place
and sail for Cuha. On iaesday morn
ing Edward Castletou, evidently an
American. visited Gavino Gutierrez,
the Spanish Vice Consul at Tampa.
presenting a passport. issued in New
YORK, to Cuba, @pd asking that it be
endorsed. He presented TO credentials.
yet be represented himself as an Amer
can agent of the Spanish government
and requested the Consul's cipher code,
stating that be must have it. lie also
requested toe names of all the Consul's
secret service agents 10 Florida. These
were refused, aud the Coosul's suspi-
cions we're aroused. Castieton exhib-
tied a telegram from the Spanish Min
lister at Washington of Identification.
The Consul wired to Washington to
verify it, thinking it a forgery. Castle