Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1897-11-03
PESSIM|STIC BLAHCO.
The New Captain General ci
Cuba Thinks Pacification Of
the Island Not Difficult.
REPLY OF SPAIN TO UNCLE SAM.

Some More Accurate Extracts from the
Document DO Not Differ Greatly from
What Is Already Known-Spain's At
tempt to Buy Ocean Cruisers IIantti-
capped by Lack of .Cash-Death Of the
Hero of the Fight at Eorke's Drift.
Madrid, Nov. 3.-Marstal Blarco. the
new captain general of Cuba, has sen:
cable message to the Spanish govern
meIt saying he has formed a favorabl
opinion regarding the prospects for the
racification of Cuba. A semi-official
ncte was circulated yesterday giving a
more exact indication of the contents Of
the Spanish note in reply to the commu-
nication Of the United States on the SUBJ
ject of Cuba than has hitherto been pub
lished. The first part of the reply is a
Iaraphrase OF the latest note to the
United States. It concludes with the as
surance that Spain is animated by the
same friendly feeling as expressed on
behalf of the United States. The second
part Of the reply goes into elaborate de-
tails concerning the various flibusterirg
expeditions. Spain. in concluding that
portion of her reply TO the United States.
expresses the hope that this phase of the
situation will Be changed and that the
United States will try to prevent fur
ther violations Of international lava
Reply to the Offer of Mediation.
Replying to the offer ofmediation made
by the United States Spain says she
hopes the United States viii act "loyaIly
ard correctly in helping Spain to pacify
Cuba, especially in view of the fact that
such an extended form of autonomist
government IS about to be sincerely
granted" The general feeling here is
more hopeful Of n peaceful outcome of
the situation. especially since Marshal
Blareo's arrival at Havana, as it is be-
lieved his presence will greatly further
the solving Of the Cuban problem. At
the same time II is pointed cut that the
submission Of the insurgents cannot be
expected. unless they are entirely
abandoned by the United States"
Spain's Alleged Purchase of ygarships.
London, Nov. 3.-Tn weIl-inforTned cir
cles here It is not believed that Spain
has signed the contracts referred to in
The Daily Chronicle as having been con-
cluded last week with an important firm
Of British shipbuilders, by which Spain
acquires some cruisers armed with
quick-ffring guns which the firm had
nearly completed for another govern
mert. 1t is known that the Spanish goS-
ernmert recently .enGeavored to pu--
chase warships from the British ship
builders. but the negotiations failed on
account Of Spain's inability to pay cash.
and it was understood that her agents
then began looking for bargains in war
ships which other countries were build
I've Of Ay,cr. ~
Ing ships in England. among them being
Chile, and it IS supposed the government
Of that republic IS willing to transfer to
Spain three cruisers-the O'Higgins. the
Esmeralda and the -dinistro Zertino-
which have been practically completed
by the Armstrong;. The latter, how
ever. Is only willing to sell the three
cruisers TO Spain for cash.
Some Torpedo Boats In "Hoc"
The Thompsons finished six torpedo
boat destroyers for Spain year ago.
The firm delivered two Of the boats. and
IS holding the others under the pretext
of finishing them, but the general sup
position is that the Thompsons are real
" holding the destroyers for payment.
One OF the foremost financiers Of this
country asserts that Spain is unable to
raise more money abroad and it is not
thought likely that she can procure war
ships on the promise of paying for them
by money. She may raise money later
on by internal loans.
Ambassador White on Cuba
Vienna, Nov. S.-The Tageblatt pub
Gsnes report of an interview with the
United States ambassador to Germany.
Andrew D. White. on the subject OF
Cuba. in which White is quoted as say
Ing that the Americans do not desire
the annexation of Cuba, but that hu-
manity and commercial interests Will
compel them to intervene. The recall
of General Weyler, White IS said to
have continued, has made a favorable
impression in the United States. "where
Premier Sagasts has many sympathiz-