The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1896-06-22
THE SPANIARDS
LEVY BLACKMAIL
Weyler's Corn Edict an Endless Source
Of Profit.
HOW THE FARMERS ARE BLED
Purpose of the Tobacco, Corn and
Banana Edicts..Spaniards Object
to the Cuban Flag Waving at
st. Louis.

Havana, June 20-Weyler's corn
edict is an endless source of illegal pro-
fits for the INSCRIPTIONS Spanish Of
ficials. To farmers who have taken
their corn to the military stores, as or
dered by Gen. Weyler, some reason or
other is always given for not paying
them, until. tired of waiting and under
pressure of necessity, they sign a bill
of sale for double the amount they re-
ceive. A long list of names could be
made Of the persons known to have
submitted to this spoliation. but to pub
lish would surely cause their imprison-
ment.
1t is no longer a mystery to any one
here that the most important reason
for the famous tobacco edict was a fund
Of $250,000 raised by the cigar manu-
facturers here and the Madrid monopoly
tobacco company. This has leaked out
because . part of that money had to be
refunded as the result Of the modifica-
ton of the edict, at the protest Of the
United States and as a matter Of course,
the haggling which ensued between the
interested parties was carried on in
that loud talk and fine language these
people are SO fond Of when they get
excited.
AS compensation for this unexpected
loss they have contrived a new scheme.
The export Of bananas and cocoanuts
from everal minor ports in the province
of Santiago de Cuba has been forbidden
on the ground that the vessels employed
tV,& 1,o <y3< "a
patriots; but, as is customary with the
Spanish colonial administration, permits
are now given to certain persons, for a
| consideration, to continue their exports
just as they were doing before the pro-
hibition was enacted.
Private news has been received here
today to the effect that two important
| engagements have taken place this
week between Maceo's forces and the
spanlards.i in which the latter were badly
defeated. No details are given. In re-
gard to the battle of Najara. the de-
scription Of 1t by La Discusion's corre-
spondent In Puerto Principe shows, to
any who will read between the Lines,
that the Spanish general, Godoy, ar
rived at the field Of battle just IN time
to save his colleague. Jimenez Castel-
lanos, from the total destruction Of his
troops, and as to fight any longer was
impossible, they thought only Of re-
treating with their convoy Of wounded
toward Puerto Principe.
MADRID DIsPLEAsED.
Madrid, June 2O.-A very bad impress
sion has been made here by the cable
grams received from the United States
announcing that the Cuban flag was
displayed at the Republican national
convention in st. Louis. The newspa-
pers in their comments upon the occur
renee, are agreed that the real Cuban
question is not in Cuba, but in the Unit
ed States, and the government Is urged
by the newspapers to prepare at once
for all contingencies.
GENERAL LEES REPORT.
Havana, June 20, via Key West, June
2l.-Consul General Lee was busy all
yesterday peparing report which 1t Is
believed was sent to Washington to-
day.
The convoy captured by the rebels or
the Cauto river consisted Of 200 rifles
and 135,OOO cartridges, besides a grea,
quantity Of provisions. 1t Is rumoreo
that Manzanillo has been attacked, but
details are lacking.
1t Is said big fight occurred yesterday
near Cabbias in Pinar Del Rio province
between the forces of Maceo and the
Spanish under General Gonzales Munoz
The losses are reported heavy on the
Spanish side. but details are unknown
yet.
The towns of San Antonio and Rio
Blanco partially burned the other day
are completely destroyed.