The herald., 1897-05-11
In the News Sent Out
From Cuba
THE RosE.coLoRED REPORTS
UTTERLY AT VARIANCE WITH
THE TRUTH
In Spite Of Claims Of Pacificotion In.
surgents Grow More Numerous
and More Determined
Associated Press Special Wire.

Associated Press Special Wire.
NEW YORK, May 10.-A dispatch to
the Herald from Havana says: Thera
is grim humor in the official announce
ments as to the state of the ineurrection.
and the outlook. which causes a sneer
in Havana, where food is scarce and
sound money scarcer. AS the situation
grows worse at every point. the palace
reports become more rose- -colored and
more at war with the facts. For in
stance, for centen, which is worth 30
in Spanish gold, one may get the equiva-
lent of $11.30 in paper money in Havana
today. 1t is significant that the paper
money of Spain is at greater discount
at this moment, when the reforms are
said to be at hand, than at any time
since the war begun. During the ten
years war centen was at one time
worth s13 in paper, and no one doubts
that the billets will reach or pass that
| point again. Two months ago centen
was worth $3.50 in paper, and then there
was less talk of pacification and re-
forms than now.
! The fact is. no one pays any attention
| to General Weyler's proclamation about
the peace he says he has brought about
or hie talk about the golden time that is
coming, now that the Queen Regent has
been kind enough to sign the reforms.
These things are mere sound. But the
paper money is grim fact, and the de-
Termination with which all persons re-
fuse to have 1t thrust upon them a: par
has forced even General Weyler to rec
ognize that the money question is su-
perior to HE decree, and to abandon his
declared intention of Furnishing any one
who looked twice at these shin plasters.
Indeed, Spain, over his head, suggests
that the billets be accepted in custom
houses with an increased duty cores
ponding to the depreciation of the paper.
The chop keepers do not accept any bill
let's in many cases, or If they do the
customer must pay twice the gold price.
The billet is just SO much deprecated
paper. and the country will not recog-
nize it as anything else
The plight of Spain is bad enough
without the rioting, which would be
general IL an attempt were made to
force this paper down the throats of
men already grown sullen because of the
disastrous and tagging military policy of
General Weyler. No one here can see
how Spain will be able to carry much
longer the financial burden with which
she is saddled, and which increases tre-
mendously every month. Still there are
official announcements that the mill
tary outlook is roseate despite the fact
that engagements are daily reported,
and wounded soldiers carried into the
garrison in the towne prove the activity
of the rebels in every province.
There are engagements which are not
reported, and these are the more serious.
Three nights ago 100 wounded soldiers
were carried into Regla by rail on their
way to Havana hospitals, and come of
them died in the railroad station. Of
ficially there had been no fight of i'm
portance in this province of late, but the
arrival of these men means that Spanish
columns have been ambushed by Cen
eral Castillo, with his usual success.
The fight was at Govea.
No one, even at the palace, pretende
that Matanzas is pacifed, and I know
that a messenger is on his way to New
York who will tell the junta that the in
surgents in Pinar del Rio number nearly
1000 armed men, and that four briga-
diers are there who served under Ri
vera, have acted vigorously and in har-
mony ever since his capture, obeyins
General Gomez's orders not to engage
the Spanish force until he gave the word
that the time had come.
TROOPS LEAVING
NEW YORK, May 10-A dispatch to
the Journal from Havana says: Gen.
eral Ffguerera of the crack cavalry regi-
ment, Pizarro, will embark imme-
diately with the few survivors OF his
force for Spain.
The same steamer Is expected to take
about 1000 returning infantry forces,
and all the so-called volunteers enlisted
from prisoners throughout Spain for the
campaign here, as guerrillas. according
to a recent order from Weyler, are to be
mustered out and discharged within the
next fortnight.
Each one of these former Jail birds, on
his departure from the island, will be
given certificate of good character and
a military cross for his service in raid
ing Cuban hospitals. butchering help.
less wounded and aseaulting Cuban
women found acting as nurses therein.
NO NEGOTIATIONS
WASHINGTON, May 10.-The report
that secret negotiations Of great import
ance are being carried on between Spain
and the United States in regard to Cuba
is denied at the State department.
SPANISH BANK CLOSED
HAVANA, May 10.-The causes for
the suspension of the Spanish Bank were
the exchange of silver for bills and ru-
mors that the bills would be quoted at
high figures. Thousands OF people crowd
ed into the bank to pay their taxes in
bank noten and the officials were COM
pel!ed to call upon the police to main
tain order.
A BANKERS PETITION
NEW YORK, May 10--A petition is
now being circulated and signed by
New York bankers and business men
urging President Mckinley to do all in
his power to effect speedy settlement
of the Cuban insurrection.
Was Not Drunk
SAN FRANCISCO. May 10.-Francis-
co de Marcio was locked up yesterday at
the Harbor police station for drunken