The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1897-04-22
Is Given to the Condition of
American Prisoners
n Cuba by an Outbreak of
Smallpox in the Jails.
IN ONA MELTON'S CELL
One Man Has Died and Three
Others Are Stricken.
The Kansas Man Nurses One of
the Victims.

New York, April pa dispatch to
the Herald from Havana says:
Smallpox has made its appearance in
Cabanas prison. Ona Melton, the
American correspondent and a member
of the Competitor crew, contrived to
send a note to his friends here under
date of April IS, in which he says:
Smallpox has appeared in cell No. 4,
IN which there are four Americans.
one prisoner has died and three others
nave the disease. 1 nurSed a friend
named Gonzales, not knowing ne had
smallpox, and so 1 suppose will have
1t. can only hope for the best
IhlS information was at once carried
to General Lee and he promptly inform
ed the United States government of the
state of affairs and also wrote to Act
ing Captain General Ahumada inquir-
ing II the report about smallpox in
Cabanas was true, and what steps had
been taken to guard the health of the
Americans imprisoned there. Reply was
received making no statement about the
prevalence of smallpox in the prison.
but stated that the Americans would
be Vaccinated at once.
1t is thought here that the appear
ance of smallpox will make the Ameri-
can government press for the release of
Melton and the others as it has been
understood that Spain has practically
decided to hberate them. General Wey-
Ter is an obstacle to the release of all
Americans. He said last week in San
ia Clara that Americans were set at lib
erty without good cause.
General Weyler's recent declaration
that Santa Clara is pacified, means that
official news of fighting there viii be
meaSre. Nevertheless, he admits him
self that within three days of his de-
claratiOn of tranquility more than 80
rebels were killed in the province. He
says he will no longer require any
troops to fill the places of his killed and
wounded, which means simply that he
has been told to expect no more sold
ieyrs from Spain.
The situation in Banes a seaport town
in Santiago de Cuba, now commands
much attention here.
The gunboat, Gaiicia and the cruisers
Neuva and Espana and Reina Mercedes
are waiting outside the narrow bay un-
i'll these columns sent by. General Wey-
Ter have had time to move on the re-
bells by land.
The insurgents have held the town of
ROlOffs since the expedition landed
there on March 25 The harbor is one
naturally capable of easy defense and it
is said the insurgents have placed tor
pedOes in the channel 1t is most diff
hcult to learn any definite news of the
recent opera tiOnS there. but il is plain
that the Spanish recognize the necessi-
ty of moving in force against the town
and attempting TO attack simultaneous
ly by land and sea for the purpose of
preventing the rebels from continuing
to hold the seaport
General Gomez, according to the last
reports, has left Arroyo Blanco district
and moved nearer to the mainland.
There is a report that he may be elected
president of the Cuban republic to re-
place CisnerOs. Another idea is that
he has decided to contest the possession
of Banes, and many thought his seige
of Arroyo BlancO was a ruse to entice
General Weyler into the country where
a moderate force might be attacked to
advantage, now believe that Weyler's
move towadr Banes will meet a steady
resistance which will add to the evil
dence already piled up to disprove Cen
eraI WeyIer's declaration of pacihca-
ton.