Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-11-23
SPAIN WISHES PEACE
ovERTUREs TO CUBAN INSURGENTS
THROUGH GENERAL PAND0.
CADALLERO SENT TO RABI.
lie Offers High Rank In Spanish
Army and Money for Cuban Lend
ers-Proposition Rejected-Signifi-
can't Remarks OF BIanco's.

HABANA via KEY WEST, FLA, No
yember 22.-General Pando, as already
cabled to the Associated Press, started
by train from this city Saturday last. In
order, according to the official announce
ment, to take charge of the campaign
against the insurgents. He was accom-
panied by his full staff, and was escorted
by a company Of artillery. but It is stated.
on very good authority, that he has been
commanded by Marshal Blanco. the Cap
tain-General, to enter into communication
with the insurgent leaders, with the view
of arranging for peace. This statement
Is based on an accurate knowledge of all
the facts in the case.
General Pando did not leave this city
until he had taken steps calculated to
further the object which Marshal Blanco
has in view. After a consultation with
the Captain General he first brought
about the release from confinement of
Damlan Caballero who had been i'm
prisoned on the Isle of Pines for some
time past, for, 1t is alleged, acting as
a spy for the insurgents, and bringing
at Cacao. province of Santiago de Cuba.
General Pando furnished Caballero, who
is the godfather of Rabi, and is looked
upon as being the backbone of the in
surgent movement IN the province Of
Santiago de Cuba, with a considerable
sum OF money, and caused him to be
landed at Manzanillo, province Of Santi-
ago de Cuba, where a good horse was
placed at his disposal. General Pando's
peace emssary was also furnished with
official documents empowering him TO act
in behalf OF the Spanish commander, ond
from Manzanillo. Caballero made his way
secretly to the Jiguanl Hills, where Cap
tain Rabi has his headquarters.
Jiguani is not far from Bayamo. which
is reached by railway from Manzanillo,
and Bayou is about half way. The
latter place is not far from Gibara. Man
zanillo is situated on the great Bay of
Buena Esperanza, on the eastern coast
of Santiago de Cuba.
General Pando instructed Caballero TO
offer General Rabi high rank in the
Spanish army, and large sum OF money,
to be distributed among the other in
surgent leaders OF that part of Cuba. and
in addition a large amount of money for
himself. in the event of his succeeding in
arranging terms of peace.
Besides this, Caballero was instructed
to inform the insurgent leaders that the
Spanish authorities undertook TO honestly
establish the new autonomy. II the leaders
of the insurgents would accept the pro-
positions offered them.
SPANISH TERMS DECLINED.
Although Caballero has not returned,
advices have been received that Caballero
has so far been unsuccessful.
The agent OF General Pando obtained a
letter from n well-known merchant OF
Manzanillo urging Rabi to enter into ne
gotiations with the Spanish authorities.
Caballero, in due course of time, ar
rived safely at the camp of General Rabi,
where the insurgent leader had been
supporting Caballeros family while he
was in prison, but the arguments OF
General Pando's agent have not appar-
entity had tbs effect desired by the Span
sh authorities for II is reported that
Rabi replied that he believed that a sue
cessful ending of the war in favor of the
insurgents was approaching, that the
Cubans would gain their independence.
and that, therefore, he preferred fighting
the Spaniards until the end.
1t may be judged from the attitude OF
General Rabi that the peace negotiations
are likely TO fall fiat in Santiago de
Cuba.
General Pando then, with Marshal
Blanco, has put other irons in the fire
in the hope of prevailing upon the in
surgents to come to terms. He has been,
and is still, in negotiation with three
leaders of the Cuban revolution, and has
been untiring in trying TO induce them
TO use their influence to bring about
peace on the promise of Cubas being ac-
corded an astronomical form Of govern
ment. They have been offered money for
themselves, and were to have been FUR
nished with large sums TO distribute
among their friends, but it is understood
they have hitherto declined to become
agents Of General Pando, alleging as their
excuse that they have no influence with
the insurgent leaders Of the present day,
and that they would be risking their lives
il they ventured into the insurgents
camps.
A public utterance made by Marshal
Blanco shortly after his arrival here Is
being much commented upon. 1t seems
that when the superior OF a religious
order, residing at Guanabacoa, now in
this city, called upon the new Captain
General. in order to welcome him to
Cuba, Marshal Blanco. in the course OF
the conversation which followed. said:
"Only Divine Providence is able to save
Cuba" Whereupon the distinguished
priest retorted: "If we must confde
only In Divine Providence, and have no
other means 20 conquer the insurgents,
then we are lost"
The sympathizers with the insurgents
have been making certain capital out OF
this incident, claiming that the remark
of the Captain-General indicates that he
has no faith in the issue Of his mission.
Further proof OF this state of mind on
the part Of Marshal Blanco appears 10
be furnished in a statement which Is
attributed to him when he replied to the
welcome Of the Merchants Association.
Upon that occasion the Captain-General
is said to have asserted that Spain could
keep up the fighting until after
April next, and that II by that time the
Spanish were unable TO restore peace, he
CNlarshal Blanco) would return TO Spain.
incidentally. this sentiment is credited
TO several other generals who have ar
rived here from Spain.
NO CAMP OF SONS NOW.