The herald., 1897-12-22
AUTONOMY OPPOSED

HAVANA, Dec. 21.-At todays meet
ing of the Conservative party, over 800
delegates. said to represent 80 per cent
of the wealth of the island, being pres
ent. several of the speakers insisted
that the president, the Marquis of Apez-
tegui, should explain his conduct and
utterances as published In the newspa-
pers Of Madrid. The marquis, in speech
Of two hours duration, satisfactorily ex-
planned matters and denied the accuracy
of the newspaper publications in Madrid.
In all twenty-seven speeches were made
against autonomy, all the speakers
agreeing that autonomy will not bring
peace to the island, as proved by the
protests Of the members Of the Cuban
junta Of New York and the recent death
Of Lieut. Col. Ruiz and five other
Spanish commissioners who have been
killed by the insurgents.
Senor Santos Guzman, former ,presl-
dent Of congress, touched upon the pa
triotic sentiments of the Spanish people,
and referring to President Mckinley s
recent message to congress, he protest
ed against it, alleging that 1t was offens-
i've to Spain, to Gen. Weyler and the
Spanish army. and holding that 1t indi-
Gated probable early Intervention, a
warning to a most naughty nation
which will not permit such humilia-
tion."
Senior Gusman succeeded in unifying
the opposing factions in the party. thus
avoiding the disruption which had been
encouraged by the Reformists.
Senor Guxman submitted a motion,
which was unanimously approved, ex-
pressing confidence in President Apez-
tegui and the executive committee and
confirming the political platform Of the
party. which Is essentially Spanish and
Cntralist as against home rule, and
withdrawing entirely from political
struggles while authorizing the execu-
tive committee to determine when the
condition Of the country and the general
in chief demand the party's service. The
executive committee was further au-
thorized to cable a message to General
Weylor, the substance Of which was that
at a mass meeting of the reunited Union
Constitutional party, the policy Of his
excellency was indorsed, and the party
assured the general he had Its support.
1t was announced from the palace to-
day that during the past ten days the
insurgents have lost 303 men killed, and
that, in addition, the Spanish troops
have captured II prisoners. and that 60
armed insurgents have surrendered. The
troops, 1t Is further announced, have
captured IS stands Of firearms during
this time. Among the killed, the state
ment continues. are three insurgent
leaders and three officers Of the insurg-
ent forces. The Spanish troops during
the same period, according to official
statistics, lost three officers and 33 SOL
diers killed and 13 officers and 213 SOL
diers wounded.
A FILIBUSTER JAILED
e PHILADELPHIA. Dec. 21.-John d.
Hart, owner of the celebrated filibustef-
ing steamer Laurada, was taken to the
eastern penitendary. Mr.. Hart is under
two years sentence for the violation
Of the neutrality laws. but was out on
$1,000 bonds pending an appeal to the
United States court Of appeals. Jesse
Eldridgs, one Of Hart's four bondsmen,
withdrew from the bond today without
offering to the court any explanation of
his action, and Mr.. Hart was rearrested
Mr.. Hart will probably secure other
bondsmen.
WEYLER WILL ANSWER
MADRID Dec. 21.-Lieutenant-Ge Gen.
eral Wsyler Is preparing to publish a
protest against President McKinley's
message to congress.