The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-12-24
GEN. BLANCOS SURRENDER
HE WILL LET THE WEYLERITEs
CONTROL THE ELECTIONS.
Hssrine That the Conservatives win ne Hes-.
tile re Gives Then Political Advantage
under the Autonomtst ~RsEime-Hnis sap
perters ACCOMPLISHMENTS Sugar Cane.

Wearing That the Conservatives win ne Hes-'
tile re Gives Thern Political Advantage
under the Autonomist RsEine-HHis Sap
perters MISUNDERSTANDING Sugar Case.
HAVANA, Dec. %. via Koy west.-A great po-
htical sensation was caused here today by q
decree from Captain. General Blanco giving tho
control in the coming elections, TO DO held ac-
cording to the now autonomist decree. TO the
rabid partisans Of Gen. wCyler. The decroe
orders the formation Of the local JuntA for the
scrutiny and arrangement of tho electoral lists.
Tho Junta has tho right to reject or accept
voters, and 1t ls composed Of sixteen members
three Autonomists, three Reformists, and ten
Conservatives or Weyler partisans. Even
unitedly tho Autonomists and Reformists can
not counterbalance the influence Of the Con-
oervatives in the Junta.
This remarkable fact 10 regarded 40 proving
that the Captain.G eneral has weakened whom
confronted by the energetic attitude Of tho Con.
servatives as manifested in their Assembly Of
Dec. 20. The resolution of tho party not to par
ticipate in the elections has frightened the Cap
tain-General. who believes that the Conser-
natives may raise q Spanish rebellion
In Havana. His apprehension has inten.
si6ed since the death OF Lieut-Col. Ruiz.
Tho news OF this tragic affair astonished
the spaniards. who believed that tho
stern decroes of tho revolutionists against au-
tonomy were merely words, and that the Cubans
were likely TO surrender. But to-day tho desire
for revenge 10 steadily growing among the vol
unteers. who form the largo majority Of the
Conservatives They number 10000 men,
armed with modern rifles and scattered through
out the principal cities and towns of tho island.
In Havana they form seven battalions, and
they have made q bloody record in the history
of Cuba.
THE Autonomists and Reformists have been so
much surprised by tho unexpected decree of
Gen. Blanco, that they have not dared as yet to
mako any protest. 1t 10 clearly soon that what
tho Captain-Genera wishes to secure at any
cost is the participation of the Conservatives
and Weylerites In tho coming elections, 30 as to
avoid . disturbance Of public order in Cuba
among the Spaniards themselves. as the first re-
suit of the autonomist system. He has cabled
news Of tho situation to Madrid. and has re-
ceivod orders to prevent hostile acts on the part
Of the Conservatives Tho only means to insure
this result which occurred to him was to give
them the control of the elections.
Gen. Blanco's decree means that In the first
Colonial Chamber tho Weylerites will DO in tho
majority. It Is q great disappointment here to
the comparatively few believers in autonomy.
A report from Santa Clara city says that the
number Of persons dying there In November was
1857. From Dec. 1 until to-day the number of
deaths was 1900. Tho population Of Santa
Clara Is not moro than 10000.
Famine and epidemics continue to mako raw
ages throughout Cuba. II peace does not come
e0op, the determination of the Cuban non.com.
batants will be complete.
A severe engagement 10 reported to have
taken place at Baeza, q few miles from Santa
Clara.
The whole province of Havana is ablaze with
burning cano fields kipdled by tho insurgents.
The Spanish troops, that set out from Havana
to fight tho Cubans, have for moro than q week
been steadily repulsed by tho patriots. The
battalion of Alfonso XIII. was routed to-day by
Col. Aranguren near Mariana. o suburb OF
Havana. Blanco's decree ordering the grinding
Of sugar looks very much like q failure.