The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-01-31
CONFERENCE HELD IN CUBA.
THE PROPOSED REFORMS Dis
CUsSED AT THE PALACE.

Eyes of the United states and Eu-
rome TO the True situation in Cuba.
I'aImas Allan Captured by the Gu
bans-Cubans slaughtered While
Making a Gallant Fight ut a Cave.
Spanish Troops Burn a Cuban Hos
pitaI and Its Inmates.
Key West. Fla. Jan. 9o.-Advices re-
ceived tonight by the steamer OIvette'
say: "A secret meeting was held IN the
Palace recently. in which Marquis de
Ahumade, Gen Weyler's substitute; Pal
meroia, secretary Of the government
AIoutoro. Galvez and Cueto. for the au-
economist party, and RabeA and Rivero for
the reformlsts, took part. and it is limited
q representative Of the firm Of H Upmann
d Co. Rotnschilds' agents at Havana, as
sisted The object o. the meeting was
TO discuss the proposed reforms soon to
he granted Cuba. The consent, il appears,
Of the Cleveland administration, was con-
s.dered necessary, and It was believed
would be granted, but as in al contracts
where biateral interests are concerned
the party Of the third part must give his
entire conformity. il was thought advisa-
bic to explore that party's viii, and if pos
sible, induce him 20 give his voluntary
consent either by framing promises, or,
81 necessary, by monetary influences,
which would be literally expended.
Somebody was required 20 make over
lures 70 Gomez, who is the remaining, so
they believed, or visible head of the revo-
luton, and Marcos Garcia and Spottorno,
the renegade Cuban, who had been pur-
posely called for the meeting. was desig-
tad Ha al a
he Will start tomorrow for Sancti Spr-
titus, and from there will proceed to Co
nez's camp, which is said 10 be in that
vicinity. Doubts are entertained as TO
whether Gomez will receive him or enter
into any negotiations with the Spanish
government II is reported that Gomez
has warned Garcia that II ne catches him
he will hang him as a traitor 10 mis- coun-
try.
The participation Of the Rothschilds in
this affair makes the impression that
deep money game Is behind the screen
md that reform humbug is simply a bluff
on the part Of Spain on the the United
States and Europe to avoid diplomatic
contingencies, which may arise when the
Mckinley administration comes into
power.
Undoubtedly If the so-called milk and
water reforms are granted Gen. Weyler
Will not be the man to promulgate them,
aE he is not persona grata 10 the rebels
The insurgents have captured the town
of Palmas Allan, near Matanzas, sack
ing all the stores.
Five generals have asked leave of alb
sence to return to Spain. apparently dis
gusted with Gen. Weyler's atrocious
policy.
The generals are Pin. Bernal, Alonzo.
IOZas and Figueroa.
Gen. Luque has asked for reinforcements
hurriedly. Gen. Gonzalez Munoz has re-
fu ma IN ne al
displeased with certain dealings in the
general staff. Of which he has charge"
Jacksonville, Fla, Jan. 3O-A special to
the Times Union from Key West says:
The most frightful stories comes from
the province Of Mantanzas, where CAPT.
Gen. Weyler himself is now supposed 10
he operating. As Weyler's column ad-
vances il is hanked by flying squadrons
which burn the huts and murder or cap
ture the inmates. The corpses greatly
outnumber the prisoners.
AS one of these flying squadrons was
advancing a batch Of Cuban huts was
discovered near the great cave of Mozote,
a famous natural curiosity In Matanzas.
The Span ards proceeded to fire the huts
and while so engaged were fired on, four
Of the troopers being killed. The shots
confused the Spaniards and gave the
Cubans-some forty in number, including
The cave Of MozOte. The Cubans, who
were lead by Enrique Rodriguez and his
1--WE grown sons. barricaded the cave and
determined to sell their lives dearly.
The cave had been hardly barTicaded
when the Spaniards arrived. They de-
manded that the Cubans surrender and
this being refused, attempted to break
down the barricade. The Cubans fired,
killing and wOunding several Spanards.
The Spaniards then managed to build
great fire against the mouth of the cave
and, with rifles and machetes ready, wait
I'd for the flames and smoke to drive out
The Cubans. Facing cremation, the hope
less Cubans broke through the wall Of FIRE
only 10 be greeted by a murderous vol
ley. Enrique Rodriguez and his FIVE sons
and eight other male mem bers Of the Gu
ban party were killed outright and several
Others were wounded, who were quickly
butchered. The Cuban women and chill
dren rushed through the flames to escape
Euffocation, but their clothing gnited and
eleven Of them burned to death, the Span
iards not Offering to aid them. Among
the women who persisted were the FIVE
beautiful daughters OF Enrique Rodir-
gueZ. Six little children ranging In age
from four 20 eight years, were also Gre
mated. In all over thirty Cubans died by
Spanish bullet, machete and fire. Not a
man escaped The survivors were Sonora
Rodriguez, several other women and a
Few little children They We're taken to
Matanzas City and lodged IN prison as
enemies Of Spain.
A story as horrible comes from Rene
dos. Near Placetas the insurgents had
a large hospital where were uuartered
many sick and wounded soldiers. Near
the insurgent camp was also located the
well-known leper hospital Of Cardosa, In
which were about twenty unfortunates.
Guarding the insurgent hospital was a
company Of Cuban Amazons, numbering
about seventy, under command Of SEN
orita Inez Alvarez. whose father and
brothers had been butchered by Spaniards,
and who had taken up arms for revenge.
The hospital was IN a solitary location,
and was thought 10 be safe from Spanish
IDolestati0n But the colonel OF the Span
ish regiment de Bourbon, operating In that
district, learned Of the hospitals loca-
tiOn and sent five hundred men TO de-
ftr0y II. The Spaniards attacked al night
and the first thing they did was TO fire
the buiidingE The inmates and Amazon
guards awoke to find flames roaring about
them. The sick and wounded soldiers