Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1897-12-29

de LONE. the Spanish minister, ex-
presses strong disapproval of reports
that the relief measures adopted by the
United States and co-operated in by
spain,are step toward intervention by
this government in the affairs OF Cuba.
The minister characterizes such reports
as an effort to mix politics with chart
". and as calculated TO excite Ill
feeling. which viii embarrass the chari-
table movement and impede its execu-
ton in Havana and throughout the ISL
and. Referring 10 the subject, he said:
This talk OF intervention in certain
quarters has no other purpose than to
emb.tter both countries and to divert
the original essential purpose Of aims
giving. The extension of aid to the
sufferers in Cuba is no more interven-
ton than was the action Of all the
nations OF the Notwithstanding Spain
to extend help TO Chicago after the
DIG Ire, or that OF the United States in
sending n ship load OF grain to Russia
and last year to India. and to the city
OF London in sending food and money
TO Paris when the siege by the Ger
mans was raised"
Rosy Report from the Island.
Turning to a dispatch just received
from Dr. Congosto. secretary general at
havana, the minister proceeded, quot
ing In part from the dispatch: 1T is
not true that the Spanish authorities
IN Cuba are not equal to the situation
succor is being given abundantly and
RELIEF committees are in regular opera
tion- In two Of the provinccs-Puerto
Principe and Santiago-:bere has been
no concentration. Forty plantations
are grinding sugar. and there is ample
WORK for those who want Il. Many
OF the reconcentrados who are re-
ported to be suffering are in such condi-
ton through an unwillirryness to work.
The energy with which relief measures
are being conducted in Havana is
shown by n glance at tine Havana pa
pes every day. where there are long
lists Of charitable donations of con-
densed milk. corn meal and like ar
uoies, especially serviceab7e for the re-
lief Of children.
How Our Help VIII Tic Received.
- - fNA-fNAlN NflA
the American help will b. received with
the spirit that it is given, and the
American government as Secretary
Sherman expressed il In his recent let
ter-offcrs the well-known generosity
Of the American people i'm the same
spirit that they have accepted foreign
help in cases Of public calamity. 1t
seems that 8 ne persons who make
the statement as to the conditions in
Cuba forget that the evils of war can
not be mitigated in short time. They
fail To compare the actual situation of
today with that OF the past. and they
totally disregard the efforts made. to
improve the situation"
Autonomist Mayors InauEurated,
The Spanish minister has received n
dispatch from Havana stating that the
autonomist mayors Of Bejucal and
Juanahacoa had been inaugurated amid
great enthusiasm, the people receiving
them with shouts of Long live SPAIN"
The dispatch adds that the patriotic
spirit shown at these demonstrations
give assurance OF the speedy realiza-
ton or the good effects Of an auton-
omous form of government in Cuba.
The autonomous mayors in these two
cities are amorg the first 20 be named.
In each case succeeding a military ruler
under the martial system hitherto in
force