Iowa state bystander. [volume] (Des Moines, Iowa) 1894-1916, 1896-04-24
ALL OVER films WORLD
cuReA.-

HAVANA, April 10. The appointment
Of General Fitzhugh Lee to succeed
Consul General Williams is understood
by Americans here as well as by the
authorities at the palace as an adroit
way of sending a military commissioner
from the states to Cuba. When there
was an intimation fortnight ago that
Mr. Cleveland contemplated sending II
commission here to learn of what was
going on, the officials at Madrid said
very plainly that no military or other
commission would be permitted to pry
into affairs in Cuba. There is there
fore some curiosity as to how General
Lee will be received and as to what
facilities will be accorded him for
learning what is transporting outside Of
the city of Havana. The Spanish
officials will not discuss any other mis-
sion he may be supposed to have.
They have got along SO smoothly with
Consul Williams, who has devoted him
self assiduously to viewing bills of
lading and allowed Americans in jail
to rot there and others to be shot
down and their property destroyed,
that there may be trouble when a live
American comes here to represent
Uncle Sam
New YORK, April ia special to
the World from Madrid says the Span
ish government. it has leaked out, is
about to try to Steal a march on Presi-
dent Cleveland. 1t is making arrange
ments which it pretends are voluntary
to put into force in the West Indies.
some scheme of colonial home rule,
based upon the bill which passed the
cortes in January, 1895. The reforms
will go into effect as soon as Gen.
Weyler, guided by hints on the sub
ject from the Spanish legation in
Washington, shall deem it expedient.
HAVANA, April 2o.-The insurgent
forces recently arrived in Havana
province from the Orient, it is now
found, number over 5000. Jose Maceo
is said to be in command. Antonio
Maceo remains encamped west of the
trocha. The government troops made
two attempts to dslodge HIM, bit each
time We're compelled to retreat
HAVANA, April EFF Maceo sue
ceeds in crossing the eighteen mile
barrier in spite of $4,000 Spanish reg
ulars pressing him on all sides, General
Weyler must confess, as Campos did,
that the campaign is failure, and
that Spain cannot end this war by her
own unaided forces. The rebel gen
eral has sent word to his friends in
Havana that he will breal; through to
Tricha when he is ready, and that at
the first shower of rain to fall the
captain generals plan will turn to
dust. 1T is certain that Maceo has
some sure means of suddenly assemb-
ling his rowing bands on this side of
Tricha; some say by means of colored /
paper balloons and others by messages.
There is a growing belief here that if
will presently welcome the friendly
mediation of the United States. Even
the Spaniards share this feeling.
Prisoners of war are condemned to
death as incendiaries without proof
of their actual guilt. Evidence that
rebel soldier belonged to a column of
the enemy which burned property is
sufficient to assure his death. A pris-
oner's conviction depends on whether
he joined the offending band before or
after the ipcendiarism occurred. 1t is
said that nearly 100 prisoners will be
shot as incendiarics within few days.
HAVANA, April %. Madrid dispatches
state that the minister of colonies is
to put into effect in Cuba
and Porto Rico the reforms which |
We're passed by the cortes and pro-
mulgated March Is 1895 The rebel |
lion broke out February "a, 1895. The
reforms We're not acceptable to the
Cubans then and they will not be now.
Trey are home rule in name only, all
the main revenues and the powers of
veto being held by Spain. They can
net be put into effect without a gen
cral election which cannot be held
under the conditions which exist in
Cuba at present.
MADRID, April 80. 1T is again posi-
lively denied that negotiations are in
progress between Madrid aud Wash
ington on the subject of granting home
rule to Cuba. The premier, Senior
Canovas Del Castillo, who has recov-
cred from his illness, says the reforms
projected for Cuba will be applied only
when circumstances are favorable to
such movement.
Kruger Replies to Chamberlain.
o. Il