The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1897-12-22
ENGLISH VIEW OF
CUBAN HORRORS
What an English Correspondent Saw In
the Central Provinces.
CLEAR DlsTRUsT OF SPAIN SHOWN.
The Insurgents DO Non Believe in
Spanish Faiih--Pando's Crucities
aud NcyIrr's -Sturva-
tion in liayrna.

tion in llavnna.
London. Dec. 21.-The Cuban corre-
spondent of the London Chronicle
sends these details of the situation in
cuba. He says:
Under General Weyler's vile regime
one-half of the Cuban population has
disappeared; the remaining half are
turned into implacable enemies of
Spain. General Blancus new policy
processes to undo all the harm Wey-
Ter has done Nothing can bring life
to the thousands of innocent Cubans
or the horde of Spanish cOnscripts who
have perished mserably-a sacrifice to
rapacity and official negligence; but if
the reform could succOr the residue 1t
would indeed be welcome.
| have recently Travelled through the
central prOVinCes-the most open and
highly cultivated-they are a wasted
desert of ruin and desolation. In every
settlement miserable remnant OF
"reconcentrados" are gradually dying
off. Last week to these people came
the news that Weyler's "concentra-
tion" policy would be ended. then came
the "bando" of the captain general
stating that the zones Of cultivation
would be extended, and all planters
would be induced to fortify their plan
tations, and under guard provided by
Spain restart cultivation.
This, indeed, is all a nation without
money could well promise, and under
its merciful proviso ground will be al
lotted for the emaciated wretChes to
crawl out and plant a few sweet pota-
toes, and after starving on for three
months they can reap the crop. Again
owners, who for the most part are
penniless, must eXpend money in for
tifying their plantation, Spain will pro-
vide a guard from her haif-starved
horde of men, while the planter re-
builds and buys new machinery for his
"ingenio" to produce the sugar and
in time his crop will be ready.
NEED NEW CAPITAL.
In many places not a particle Of the
very expensive plant necessary for
cane grinding remains-even the i'm
mense boilers had been stood on end
and roughly improvised into Spanish
forts. Thus the sugar industry can
only be restarted by the infusion of
English and American capital, and few
will dare invest fresh funds at the
present unsettled state of the island.
Most of the estates owned by Cubans
have been confiscated by the Crown,
and after being plundered have been
left idle and practically ownerless.
There is no hope that the condition of
Cuba can be materially improved
under Spanish rule, and in the present
chaotic condition of affairs no bright
outcome is possible for the near future.
Spain is still Spain. In previous wars
she has induced the Cubans to lay
down their arms by promises which
have been ruthlessly broken. The ISL
land for years has been completely
dominated by the Spanish element in
Havana, who have shared the spoils
with the military and civil admins
tratiOn. Therefore now the CubanS alb
Solutely refuse to accept Spain's word.
They fully realize that though Senor
Saeasta is acting in good faith. and
wishes to atone for past evil, his party
is weak, and Spain's very political or
ganizatiOn makes it possible for new
premier to revoke every measure of re-
form Instituted by his professor. The
late Conservative reunion is significant
the Weyler party is still strong. while
the intransigeant Spaniards in Havana
are loudly protesting against any meas
ures Of Cancellation.
The AutOnomists are very weak and
already at variance. l interviewed
Senior Calvary, the new Autonomist
leader Yesterday, on the situation, but
from his utteranccs the days Of Cuba
must indeed be dark ii the Cubans here
accept the autonomy he is assisting
General BlanCO to Institute. He be-
lieVes that, with liberal self-govern-
ment, if the Cuban leaders persist in
the war their followers will take advan.
tage of the amnesty and desert in large
numbers, and the residue will soon be
Quelled. He OVerloOkS the fact that
the Cubans in arms beside distrIstina
Spain and being maddened by atroci,
ties on their wives and families have
small incentive to lay down their arms
and come in to starve, when they car
live in plenty in the Nanigua. The wal
debt, also, will he saddled on Cuba, and
keep her in bondage permanently.
THE CRUEL PANDO.
General Pando takes active command
of the army of operations. He is look.
ed on as a second Weyler Genera
Blanco is a most humane man-PandC
He was military governor of Santiago
province at the start or the war, anC
terrible atrocities We're ascrlbed to him
His guerillas We're certainly the wors
in the island. The colonel of a still ia
nous and bloody band sent to head
quarters for instructions. Pando /!
stated to have sent the following reply
which is only characteristic of thi.
struggle:
Don't send reports to me and dom
ask further questions. Just slay
everything that is Cuban-man, wo
man, child or dog.
In Havana n girl of 10 is now beins
secretly treated by friends for a ma
Chete cnt on the head. She was founC
not far from the city a few weeks az,
and brought In. 1t is seldom, however
that the guerilla hack and fail to kill
and only by an oversight was this au
dcious rebel Of 10 summers left Will
Many persons cannot take