The herald., 1897-11-25


have received no pay for many months
and consequently they are not able to
buy anything on their own account in
the small towns in which they are sta
toned. Then, too, the credit Of the
troops has been In most instances ex-
hausted. All the soldiers have to de-
pend upon In the way Of food and cloth
ing Is what is supplied by the commits
sariat department, and that depart
ment Is neglected and, 1t Is asserted,
corrupt.
When Gen. Blanco in an Interview with
me four days after his arrival stated
that he would do his utmost to better the
lcondition of the private soldiers he was
sincere, but it was impossible for him
to realize then what was the condition
Of the soldiers. To learn the truth he
must personally inspect the country dis
tricts. The reports of officers are cal
culated to deceive the captain general.
4 All that Gen. Blanco has to judge by
are the reports from hospitals and even
these, with all attempts at concealment,
are appalling.
In Havana, leaving aside the hospitals.
the conditions are not so bad. But If the
captain-general were to go to the coun-
| ~ AC WOdiu Stc SOlQleIb w iH6 Wy
the wayside; he would find many forts
that In reality are nothing more than
hospitals, and in most of the small towns
he would experience difficulty in get
ting together force of any size that
would be able to march five miles and
then be in condition to tackle an Or
dinary band of rebels. am not in any
way exaggerating.
The whole country along the road
from Artemisa to Havana is in ruins,
except few small patches where tobac-
co Is being planted under the guns Of the
forts.
In further proof Of the assertions re-
garding the condition of the Spanish
troops, the Herald correspondent has re-
| ceived the following copy of an official
telegram, dated November II, from the
military commander in Cienega de Avila
to Havana:
Very serious condition in this town
tgarrison). no bread, no flour, absolutely
Three thousand sick in hospital
without provisions whatever, beside the
garrison itself. With greatest urgency
must be sent flour asked for on October
2s. and send cash to buy effects. No
credit"
In Matanzas, Cienfuegos, and, in fact,
nearly all the towns credit to the troops
has been refused and telegrams similar
to the above are pouring into the palace
daily. If this lasts much longer the
troops will surely mutiny, especially If
relief Is first afforded to the concentra-
dos.
such is the condition of affairs in the
spanish army, with which Gen. Blanco
has to contend. 1t is hardly to be won
dered at that he feels incensed at the
way In which he has been deceived by
the Spanish officers. However much in
earnest Gen. Banco may be, 1t will be
weeks before he can effect any visible
improvement The officers in the coun-
try are opposed to his policy and will
daily with his orders.
II Spain has not exterminated the
reconcentrados she has cut across the
island a wound that will take genera
tions to heal. The children's children
OF the Cubans within the concentration
zones today will bear the marks, physic-
ally and mentally, of the existing misery.
AUTONOMY REFUSED
HAVANA, via Key West, Fla, Nov.
24.-After the order had been issued for
the release of Gen. Ruis Rivera and Col.
Barcallao, who were captured by Gen.
Hernandez de Velasco last March, but
before they were actually freed. both
were conducted to the palace, entering
by side door from Orrilley street and
going up private stairway. Marshal
Blanco received them and proposed they
should help to restore peace by assist
Ing in the establishment Of autonomy.
rNhaV dnpliy,aI Ia T.; t..
He then requested them to make a for
NAL compromise and agree not to take
up arms against Spain. This also they
refused, declaring, on the contrary, that
when actually free they would return to
the insurgent camp. After this spirited
reply they were promptly returned to
Cabanas fortress. where they now re-
main prisoners of war. no effect having
been given to the orders for their re-
lease.
Last Saturday seventy Of the recon-
centradoes, armed with machetes and
revolvers, left Guira Melana for the
country precincts. They have not yet
returned and 1t is believed they have
Joined the insurgent ranks
Fifty cases of smallpox are reported
from Santo Domingo.
At Puerte Principe cane grinding has
commenced on the Sinado and Laga-
renne plantations of Senors Sanchez and
Bernal. The plantations at Manzanillo
are preparing to grind and at Matan-
zas twelve plantations are ready to be-
gin, but operations in Havana province
are entirely paralyzed.
This afternoon about o'clock the pri-
Vate Watchman at the American con-
sulate building, La Casanova, assisted
by others, arrested a man who showed
him tube supposed to contain dyna-
mite, which he said he had found in the
building. 1t is believed that he him
self planted the tube at the spot he in
dicated.
From Manzanillo comes the report
that the column of Gen. Aldave has
suffered reverse and considerable loss.
Details Of the engagement are not yet
received.
Gen. Gomez, with an escort of 200 cav
airy, is now near Sagua La Grande.
According to reports from Sancti Spi- |
ritus, mercantile circles there are
greatly agitated over Senator Morgan's
letter advocating joint resolutions of
congress in recognition Of Cuban bellig-
erency.
Brigadier General Cisal Ducasse, after
the engagement with the Spanish gen.
eral, De Velasco, left with 100 men for
Santa Clara. He passed successfully