The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1897-11-17

BLANCO In ADILEMMA
The Possible Chssce Of His Ability
to Execute Reforms.
UNABLE TO PROTECT THE PLANTERS.
If He Does So He Must Abandon
Military Operations.
TRICKY LITTLE DAUNTLESS.
she Again GETS Away From the
(-rufaers-Thou vlves a~~ra-
TRICKY LITTLE DAUNrLEss,
she Again GETS Away From the
Cruisers-Thousand Lives sacri.
Aced by Weyler's Policy.

New York, November ia dispatch
to the World from Havana SAYS: General
Blanco has entered upon an almost hope
less task. The present Cuban situation
is such that 1t seems impossible to effect
by reforms and suavity what the greatest
army in the history OF the colonial ware
has failed TO accomplish. SPANS present
policy is announced to be one Of combined
Cancellation and force. 1t appears to be.
as some Spanish journals have called It,
"a suicidal policy" The peculiar and not
generally understood conditions OF the
Cuban struggle now make any conciliatory
move direct play into the hhnds OF the
insurgents This is particularly true OF
the proclamation OF November 10. which
commands all civil and military authori-
ties to aid in protecting the sugar proper
ties in grinding cane. General Blanco's first
important act.
II carried out 1t will be virtual aban-
donment OF the field to the insurgents.
1t will yield them much money and food
and will cause the further loss OF val
liable property. II NIT put into effect 1t
will incur the suspicion of being false
promise. made to promote the idea OF
Cuba's pacifioation and especially to In
fluence the United States congress.
To adequately protect the sugar estates
likely to operate, General Blanco will have
to practically close the operations against
the insurgents. He has not enough men
to do both things.
Only about 20 per cent of the sugar
plantations OF Cuba, that have operated for
years. have cane In good enough condition
to warrant grinding at he present price Of
sugar.
1t is not likely that any officially pro-
tected plantations could run at a proiit
this year, however we'll protected' nut
they will probably cut as much cane as
rresible ia prevent the ground from going
from bad TO worse.
Notwithstanding sensational reports OF
the total destruction of sugar properties
only a very small portion of modern sugar
grinding plants have been destroyed py
either Cuians or spaniards. The long
printed lists of burned plantations are
made up mostly OF useless plants abSh-
| doned years ago when beet sugar forceo
the construction OF larger central fc-
tories. Most OF the plantations were
worked last year for short periods All
| paid their own guards, and most OF them
Maid the Cubans as we'll. Those tlauters
who did not pay tribute were torced 10
double or treble their guerilla guards
! AS n rule and with first class men under
their orders, the planters had TO Use lou
guards apiece. With Spanish troops ol
the line at least double the number WIZ
no REQUIRED. BY reason OF the heavy losses
Of the last two years and the present gen.
erous offer OF the government 1t Is not IKE
" that any planter will pay for guards this
year.
General Blanco will have to furnish. es-
tinhted moderately, ut least l2,ooo or 20
900 for the three nearest provinces.
Mere than half OF the suburban aopula-
ticn has disappeared. having been muir
dered by Weyler and his supporters.
The best informed Cubans admit that
disease and starvation have reduced the
rebel army Of able-bod men from
100 900 to 100000 The real figure probably
is nearer 10000. Still. there are more
than General Blanco will have to send
against them. and they are vastly het-
ter armed and have fifty times more eA-
perience than when they baffled the ef:oit
OF Weyler.
Should the insurgents continue their the.
tics Of running away, SPANS chances Of
keeping tho yellow and red over Cuba
grow less with each soldier taken fron
against her enemy.