Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-05-20

ley's foreign policy was the protection OF
American citizens. I hear 1t not simply
from the Americans themselves. but from
Englishmen and Germans in Havana.
Cepero'. Goodbye.
While he was at the consulate Mr.. Cal
houn had a chance to note one Of the
cases in which the assertion Of American
citizenship was vigorously and successfully
pressed. 1t was case which may also
be cited by those who insist that our nat
ura tion laws are abused. A tall young
Cuban came in to say goodbye to General
Lee. He was swarthy and MS physique
was more that of an Apache Indian than
a native Of tho island. He was Jose Lareto
Cepero. formerly a colonel in Maceo's
army. Colonel Cepero commanded the cav
airy at the battle of Nal Tempo, where the
insurgents were victorious. Afterward he
was captured without arms. 1t was claim
ed that ne was on his way to give himself
up as ''presentado." that is. he was going
to surrender and seek amnesty. AS he was
without arms the Spanish authorities could
not cchtrovert this statement. Neverthe-
less he was imprisoned at Santa Clara for
fourteen months. Cepero had been natural
lied at Buffalo and had worked in the loco
L
Of his citizenship being furnished General
Lee Insisted that the conditions of pre-
sentado" should be observed. He was sue
cessful and Cepero was released, given his
liberty in order that he might be expelled
from the island. the official announcement
stated.
Inc consul general, as he listened to
Colonel Cepero's thanks, gave some ad-
he coSl
keep your mouth shut. You understand;
keep your mouth shut. The United States
has got you out of this trouble, but if YOU
ever come back here it can do nothing for
you"
Cepero said he understood and he would
remember not to talk. Yet 1 venture that
when the campaign opens In the fall he will
be on the island with insurgent troops at
his back, and Minister de LONE will have a
complaint of the way the Spanish govern
ment's .'clemency' is abused. AS for +be
good offices of the United States 1 am told
they need never again be invoked. because
Cepero will never be found again without
arms in hand. and when found that way
will never be taken.
Evidence In the Ruix Case
Mr.. Calhoun and Consul General Lee
took morning to go over the evidence in
the Ruiz case together.
When that was done Mr.. Calhoun had
Ilenty Of leisure. A man in Havana. who
is not pressed with business, sees and hears
much. If he represents in an official ca
pacity a powerful government he is bound
to have many things brought to his atten-
lion. However, it is Mr.. Calhouns prefer
ence TO go about quietly and unostenta-
tiousiy Just as any visitor might go about
Nor is it necessary to know the tongue that
is spoken. Some of the current gossip is
sure to reach the strangers ears.
There is, for instance, the story of Go
mez's paciication proclamation. The in
surgent general having heard of General
Weyier's proclamation declaring Havana
and the adjoining provinces pacifled is said
to have issued a proclamation declaring
the eastern provinces pacifed because he
had marched through them and had not
teen able to find any Spanish soldiers.
Other talk Is of Calixto Garcia's success
and of insurgent victories. But it is well
under cover and lacks the means of verifi-
cation. Besides the news from the field is
not SC important just now as what is to be
seen and heard in Havana.
Swnrming With Spanish Omcers.
What the special representative of the
United States sees is chiefly Sanish Of
ficers. They are vivid reminder that war
of some sort is going On, though one WON
ders where the Drivates are. 1t Is the Of
ficers that Mr.. Calhoun sees on the streets.
in the cafes, smoking and drinking and
whirling around the city in cabs. AS he
looks out Of his window in the evening into
the plaza below it is the officers he sees
ioiling on the benches and strutting around
the walks. The civilian eye may not dis
tinguish the gradations of rank, but every
bodys testimony Is that all those men in
uniform are Spanish officers, and credence
must be given. Seeing the multitude of
officers and their pleasures it is the easier
to believe that they are making q good
thing out Of the war and do not want 1t to
end. And when the common soldier meets
you and begs for a little bread you con-
clude there must be something wrong in
SPANS military system.
The economic and financial aspect is pre-
sented by the Havana shopkeepers. When
they learn that their customer is a repre-
sentative of the government at Washing
ton they open up their confidence Trade
is bad, very bad, and is growing worse
and the PRONUNCIATION of the reforms from
Madrid will not improve the situation they
refuse to believe that the question is meant
seriously. 1t is easy to discover that they
are looking for the whole financial edifice
OF Spain to fall. These Havana shopkeep-
ers are looking at 1t from within. Many
of them have little faith in the insurgents
and discredit the operations in the field
yet they have fixed idea that something
is crumbling In the heart of Spain.
Taxation and Corruption.
1t was an intelligent young Englishman
who gave the most concise account. He
did 1T after he had been at pains to ex-
plain the mysteries of the currency. A
ive-dollar bill of United States money
after paying for a small purchase left ten
dollars in the currency which Gen. Weyler
had the Spanish bank of Havana issue to
the amount Of $2O.OO0.OOO. 1t is useful in
paying cab fare. but nobody wants to carry
more than handful Of 1t over night This
young Englishman said the whole trouble
was to be summed up In two words-taxa-
ton and corruption. The life was taxed out
OF everything and everybody. AS for the
corruption. he pointed to a spruce-looking
Spaniard who was strolling along the other
side OF the street. That man." he said.