The herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1893-1900, 1896-03-11
THE SPAN|ARD WAS SPYING
Spain Could Take New York in
Ten Days
n
MEDIATION BY ENGLAND
To Secure Autonomy for the People
OF Cuba
The Steamer Commodore. With q Cargo Of
Arms and Ammunition. Clears from
Charleston-Scattered Notes

| Associated Press Special Wire.
New YORK, March 1.-THE World this
morning says: Two attaches of the Span
ish legation in Washington we're boasting
recently at the Metropolitan club in that
city, of the military and naval
resources of their country and one
made the remark that Spain could take
New York in ten days. Alarmed at this
indiscretion, his companion hushed him up
and they shortly left the club house.
Enough had been said, however, to excite
suspicion, and quiet investigation re-
vealed the cause of the Spaniards' cont
dence.
1t was discovered that Captain Charles
! de la Casa of the Spanish army has been
| in New York for three months. He has
avoided the hotels and clubs and has taken
a fiat in One Hundred and Fourteenth
street. From this street. 1t is said. he has
| made many visits to points of interest
around New York and collected an i'm.
mense amount of valuable information
concerning the fortitications at Willet's
Point. Sandy Hook and other points. 1t il
believed he enriched his knowledge with
numerous drawings and photographs ac-
curately locating the sites of the mines
|
/ harbor.
Recently Captain de la Casa's room was
| broken into and some of his valuable
papers are said to be missing. The captain
does not know whether it was the work of
a burglar or of United States secret
service agent. Captain de la Casa said
last night:
my work here is simply like that of
other military attaches, to 60 about from
place to place inspecting the different
military posts with q view of discovering
any improvements which may be service
able to us. Then | report to the minister
of war in Spain. have visited Baltimore,
ot. Paul and other places. i have letter
of introduction from the secretary OF war;"
DEBTORS FAVORED
HAVANA, March 1O.-The town of Sagua
la Grande, in Santa Clara, has expressed
sympathy with the attitude of the business
men of Cienfugos in canceling all orders
placed in New York until the pending
| question of the recognition of the insur-
gents as helligerents is settled by the
| United States government.
| A committee representing farmers has
| petitioned Captain General Weyler for
state and municipal aid and for susren-
sion of the law of debtors. General Wey-
! Ter has promised 10 give his attention to
| that matter.
! SPANISH RIoTING
MADRID. March IO.-The noisy demon
strations of patriotic fever and hostility to
the United States were renewed at Bilboa
today, and efforts were again made to do
violence to the United States consulate.
The mob stoned the Dutch consulate, hav-
ing mistaken that Office for the consulnte
of the United States, which was effectually
guarded by the police force.
ENGLISH MEDIATION
cia announces that it is believed in politi-
cal circles there that England is trying to
mediate be tween Spain and the United
States for the settlement of the Cuban
question on the basis of the recognition of
the sovereign rights of Spain over Cuba,
which would be granted an autonomous
administration, the customs receipts, how
ever, being devoted to the payment of the
Cuban debt.
A CARGO OF ARMS
CHARLESTON, S. c.. March 1O.-The
steamer Commodore, which has been in
port here for six weeks, suspected of being
filibuster bound for Cuba, cleared today
for Tampa. She has on board a cargo of
arms and ammunition. She is in COM
mand of Paul t. Roio, Cuban, who ac-
companed her from Wilmington. During
her stay here the greatest reticence has
concerning the clearance papers by the
customs department.. 1t is believed the
Commodore will discharge her cargo upon
the Cuban coast befole reaching Tampa.
SHE WON'T 60
MADRID, March l0.-Owing to the pub
lication of an unfounded report that the
United States minister. Mr.. Hanns Taylor,
was leaving Madrid, Mrs. Taylor has
abandoned her proposed trip to Barritz,
for fear that false Interpretation might
be placed upon her absence from this city.
PROTECTION TO CITIZENS
WASHINGTON, March 1O.-Acting Secre-
tary of State Rockhill today cabled Consul
General Williams at Havana to investi-
gate and report as soon as possible on the
case of Walter Dygsrt. who, it is said. ia "a
citizen of Illinois and confined i'll prison at
Guines by the Spanish authorities.
RXpERT OPINION
New YORK. March IU.-General Wesley
Merritt, commander of the United States
army in the department of the Missouri. is
at the Waldorf. He denies that he has
been called to Washington by the presi-
dent to investigate Cuba and report upon
the rebellion. In regard 10 the situation
there he sad:
II thought the Spanish army would be
able to crush the uprising this winter, but
it seems the Cuhaus are holding out in
way hat is surprising the rebels have
Shown excellent staying powers. Their
plan not 10 risk all in pitched battle, of
course, is wise. Their present method of
eIuding and harassing the Spanish troops
is calculated to proIong the war;
AS to our army. he sad that never be-
fore W q it 50 effective to discipline and
organization.
I've have about 5000 effective men in
the army. all in excellent military condi-
t,on.'' he continued and AS to the army
we could raise, if the formation of three
battalions that is being discussed is carried
out, wa can easily place $4,000 men in
he field
General Merritt did not care to express
an opinion respecting the outcome of a war
between Spain and The United States.