The record-union., 1897-11-23

sincerity and he indirectly gave them
TO understand that he was of the opin-
ion that they We're opposed to the SOW
ereignty Of Spain over Cuba and have
no desire to bring about peaceful set
tlement of their troubles.
The Cubans protested that they were
sincere and repeated the excuses they
had already made for their non-compli-
ance with the requests of the Spanish
General. The latter, although some
what disappointed, it is understood VIII
continue his efforts to come to an un-
derstanding with the insurgents, and
the military authorities believe the best
way to do this is to inf1ict on the enc
my signal defeat, which General
Pando hopes to accomplish
On the other hand, it is believed the
insurgents have similar plans, though
from an opposite direction, and with
totally different object in view. II
current reports among the friends of
the insurgents are to be believed, the
revolutionary leaders hope to strike
decisive blow at Spain before Congress
meets, as encoura cement to their
friends in the United States who are
urging a recognition upon the part of
the United States Government of the
| belligerency of the insurgents of Cuba.
DR.. Jose Congesta, formerly Spanish
Consul at Philadelphia, and now Sec
retary- of Cuba, IS continuing
to lose ground in public favor, as a re-
suit of some extraordinary statements
which he has made to the Spaniards
here
Senator Santos Guzman considers
himself and his family much insulted
by certain remarks of Dr. Congosta.
Congesta is also alleged to be display
ing considerable ignorance of admins
| trative affairs, and to have, in conse-
| quence, failed to fulfill many of the
duties of his office. Finally, the ut
terances of DR.. Congosta. if correct
| ly reported are likely soon to be sharp
| ly resented in Madrid. He is alleged to
| have remarked that Spain had, until
now, followed a policy of spoliation in
| Cuba and that the insurgents were
| justified in acting as they have done
While this may be perfectly true, such
a remark from a prominent Spanish
| official is not likely to pass without
notice at the Spanish capital especial
| ly as it is added that the employees of
| the Secretary Generals office protest
ed against the remark, and have taken
! further action IN the matter
Regarding political utterances, a
statement made by Marshal Blanco.
shortly after his arrival here is be-
! ing much commented upon. 1t seems
| that when the superior of religious
order residing at Guanabacoa, near
| this city, called upon the new Captain
| General in order to welcome him to
| Cuba, Marshal Blanco, during the
course of conversation which followed.
said "Only divine providence is able
/ to save Cuba
Whereupon the distinguished priest
! retorted: IF we must confide only
| in divine providence. and have no other
means to conquer the insurgents. then
we are lost"
The sympathizers with the insurgents
| have been making capital out of this
| incident. claiming that the Captain
General has no faith in the success Of
his mission.
Further proof of this state of mind
upon the part of Marshal Blanco ap-
pears to be furnished in the statement
which is, attributed to him when he re-
piled to the welcome of the Merchants
| Association. Upon that occasion the
Captain General is said to have assert
ing until after April next. and If by
that time the Spaniards were unable
to restore peace at any price, he (Mar-
shall Blanco) would return to Spain.
Incidentally, this sentiment is cied-
tied to several other Generals who have
arrived here recently from Spain.
The answer of the insurgents to Mar
shall Blanco's decree favoring the re-
sumption of grinding sugar cane has
been the burning Of immense cane
fields in the sugar district of this prov
ince. in the neighborhood of San Felipe.
| A day or so ago the sky in that direc-
ton was red with the reflection of the
| flames.
| Very shortly after the previous DIS
patch regarding the peace negotiations
| of General Pando was closed, 1t be-
came known that two Of the prominent
| ex-insurgent leaders referred to as hav-
| ing been in communication with Span
| fsh commander had been induced to
| start for Manzanillo. in another effort
/ to induce the insurgent leaders Of San
tiago de Cuba to arrange for peace on
! the basis Of autonomy being granted to
| Cuba.