The Wichita daily eagle., 1897-04-09
PORTO RICO JOINS
SPANS OTHER AMERICAN COLONY
TAKES UP ARMS.

tee-Reforms for Which Spain Prom
ised SO Much are Not Perceptible fl
Practice Spain Denies the Report
OmciaIly-Lee's Charges of intercepted
Dispatches to be Investigated.
New York, April S.-The Herald today
says: Father Julio Henna. president o.
the Porto Rican Revolutionary commit
tee in this city, has received private in
formation from the commission on tnt
island Of Porto Rico to the effect tha'
the government has taken up arm:
egains the Spanish government, the up
rising having taken place in Yauco and
Adjuntas.
Dr. Henna. upon the receipt Of tht
news, at once called together all tnt
members of the committee and held q
conference with them at his home. Nc
person except members OF the committee
were allowed to take part in the meet
ing.
The news Of the uprising, ii was re-
ported by a member, had also been re-
ceived in this city by we'll known bank
ing firm in Wall street, which has close
business connection with one Of the lead
ing banking houses in Porto Rico.
One of the members OF the committee
said:
the movement in Porto Rico has
started rather earlier than was expected
and agreed upon, but no doubt circum-
1F nothing n1IlSi
have compelled the brethren in Porto
Rico to take the step az once.
Referring to the chances OF the sue
cess of the revolution, he said:
"Tne spirit Of the people in Porto Rico
is such at the present time that any
movement 10 overthrow the Spanish
yoke is almost sure to succeed. The
Porto Ricans are tired of Spanish mis-
rule. All we want is to raise an army OF
5000 men and with such an army we
can carry every place in the island by
assault"
The reforms voted by the Spanish
cortes on March Is, 1895, were not put
in force until recently and their practi-
cal advantages are alleged TO be Of little
account.
AN OFFICIAL DENIAL.
Madrid, April S-An official denial has
been issued to the report that revolt
against the Spanish government has
broken out in the island of Porto Rico.
DE LONE AND RIVERA.
Washington, April S.-Advices receiv-
ed by the Spanish minister here state
that General Luis Rivera, who is lying
wounded near Havana, is not in a seri-
ous condition, and that his wounds are
not likely TO prove fatal. Inquiry as to
the status OF the prisoner resulted today
In a statement by the minister to the eff
feet that at no time has the Spanish
government or General Weyler had any
Idea of shooting Rivera. 1t was added
tnat il would certainly not have been IN
order TO press any such opinion, whatev-
er the belief might have been, in view
Of the fact that Rivera has not yet been
tried, much less sentenced to be shot.
For the same reason, it can hardly be
asserted that General Rivera's future is
absolutely assured. When questioned on
tnis point, the minister inclined to the
belief that the man would not be shot,
but showed that much depended upon
ine conduct of Cuban sympathizers in
the United States. He declined to say
whether his reference was TO the con-
auct OF General Sangually, who is now
nnder arrest on suspicion OF aiding and
hbetting a filibustering expedition, or to
the proceedings in the senate, which
might be regarded as trying to infiame
feeling. II was evident, however, that
Eenor De LONE felt that Sanguilly, in
breaking his parole, as he claimed, was
not strengthening the argument that the
Spanish forces should be held to a strict
observance of the rules of war.
The minister has received word that
e,00o of the insurgents in the Philippines
have offered to surrender.
Havana. April S.-GeneraI Ruis Rivera
Still remains at San Christobal. He is
recovering from his wounds. In the
event of a summary trial it is not likely
that he will be sentenced. but that he
will be held as prisoner Of war.
THE CASE OF MELTON.
Washington, April S-The state de-
partment has been Informed that the
health of Ora Melton. one of the Com
petitor prisoners, which had been report
ed to be very bad. is now much improv-
I'd. When he recovers completely an ef-
fort VIII be made TO separate his case
from those of the other prisoners on the
ground that he vas newspaper man
and not combaiant, and secure his re-
lease.
WETLER KNOWS THE CODE.
Washington. April S.-The ALLEGATION
that the Spanish authorities in Cuba
possess copies Of the state department
cipher and code book and thereby OBJ
tain full information concerning the con-
fdential communications passing be-
tween Secretary Sherman and Consul
General Lee will be investigated Just
prior 70 the unpleasantness which arose
between Secretary Olney and General
Lee regarding the Scott and Ruitz cases
a bitter complaint was forwarded to III.
department by General Lee that the
Spanish officials must certainly be il
possession of the cipher used. as they
were enabled 70 anticipate every move
made by him. He attributed the unc:v-
Il freatment received at the paleace 10
The fact that the purpor, of all his er-
rands was known before his arrival
Since the new administration came in
Lee has renewed his complaints. An in
puiry will be made 10 ascertain the ioca-
nFfnnH long my throat was