Evening star., 1897-05-31
SHADOWED BY SPANISH SPIES
Mr.. Calhoun Annoyed by Being Tracked
Wherever He Goes.
Two Reports ON the Ruiz Case-What
Has Been Learncd-Reliev-
ing the Destitute.

| the 18th instant, state:
| Mr.. Calhoun Is having an annoying ex-
perience with the Havana spy system.
| Since his arrival he has known that his
| movements were watched. When he went
| to Matanzas to see for himself an example
| of Captain General Weyler's concentration
| policy, though the palace authorities had no
knowledge of his intention, one of the spies
managed to catch his train and to follow
| the movements of the party.
This week the surveillance was so strict
| that Mr.. Calhoun could not take cab to
the American consulate and back to his
hotel without having detectives rattling in
cabs behind him.
Mr.. Calhoun gave forcible expression of
his disgust at this treatment, and a promise
was made that the shadows would be called
off, but this has not been done. The only
| difference is that more circumspection is
| exercised.
The purpose of the shadowing does not
relate to Mr.. Calhoun. but Is to enable the
authorities to blacklist Cuban sympathizers
who see him. Mr.. Calhoun has sought to
hear ali sides, and on his arrival here Gen.
Ahumada was profuse in assurances that
such was the desire of the palace. But the
knowledge that In future the fact of having
oeen III conference with President McKin-
ieys representative may be used against
them Is a drawback to those not in sympa-
thy with Weyler and the government This
Is appreciated by Mr.. Calhoun, who does
not want to be the cause Of men suffering
| or being prosecuted in future
What Has Been Learned,
Mr.. Calhoun's present intention is to
leave Havana for New York next Thurs
day. He does not feel that a longer stay
would add materially to his knowledge of
the situation.
AS his mission was not diplomatic one
and he was not empowered by the United
states nor requested hv "a nicb
ernment to treat with the Insurgents he
Will go back without having seen Gen. Co
Hnez or other insurgent leaders. 1t may be
sald, therefore, that he has not thorouyhIy
investigated the Insurgents side of the
case. but he has learned enough to give
MIN good idea of the extent of the "pacifi-
catlon In the provinces not held by the in
surgents, of the financial conditions and OF
the general opinion concerning the pros
poets OF the war. He has also formed a
vivid impression of what concentration
means TO country people who are brought
INTO toWns and his impressions are already
IN the POSSESSION of the State Department.
though perhaps not in the form of an Off,
cial report. ~
he has been asked to investigate many
special cases that throw light on the man
ner IN Thich the war is conducted in Cuba.
put TINS has not been possible. To do this
ne would have TO take up indefinite resi-
dence on the island
The autonomistS are still URGING th.;r
views on Mr.. Calhoun. seeking to impress
him with the idea that there is vet hone for
the reforms, with some modification, if the
united states will only take the responsi-
bil1ty OF guaranteeing them. No one mas
been able to tell Mr.. Calhoun why the re-
forms are not promulgated
he mas been told that recognition of bel
hserency Will be followed by grave conse-
quences, but that is matter of policy on
the part of the United States, concerning
which MIR. Calhoun does not permit Spanish
supporters to advise him.
The Ruiz Inquiry.
The Ruiz inquiry, as was anticipated.
Will end in two reports. Consul General
Lee and Spanish Consul Congosto will be
able to agree that Ruiz is dead; that he
oied in Guanabacoa JAIL and that he was
IN good health when he entered prison.
The fact of his having been kent incom
municado for two weeks after his arrest
is also so clearly established that the Span
Ism government cannot contrOvert 1t, while
the evidence shows pretty clearly that the
military authorities had made I'D their
minds that no proof could be brought
against Ruiz for completely in insurgent
train wrecking.
But Spain is trying to show that Ruiz
was not ill-treated while In prison by the
testimony of other prisoners who did not
see him ill-treated. No one supposes that
these prisoners would dare to testify
against the government
The commission examined witnesses at
nabacoa this week. among them the
alcalde. or mayor, and brother of Ruiz.
As Mr.. Calhoun's official position Is SIM
ply that of legal adviser to the American
consul general, he does not appear in the
report that will be made.
Relieving the Destitute.
General Lee is continuing the work of re-
levins destitute Americans. The consuls
at Matanzas and Sagua report that the
| funds provided have been sufficient to sup
ply the pressing necessities. In Havana
Iassage to the United States has been pro-
vided for many. The clerks at the consul
la are kept busy investigating cases of
deStltution where II is not possible for the
destitL e to leave. Many of the cases are
pitiable. There is little danger that the
relief voted by Congress will go to un-
worthy applicants.
The condition of the recommendations all
over the island grows worse. The rains
have set in at many places and the palm
huts in which the pacificos live are flooded.
lie rain also keeps them from going out
any distance into the country and grubbing
for roots on which to subsist In Pinar del
Rio province the reports of distress are
fearful No general system of food supply
is followed by the military authorities,
though at some camps there are small dis
tributions of rations. In majority of in
stances the little relief that is given comes
II om local authorities AT Remedies OF,
the eastern coast, forty deaths have oc-
CURED from starvation
Havana Is threatened with a beef famine.
Ine supply, which has been small, Is rum
| ming out, and no provision has been made
by importation or otherwise, for fresh cat
! tie. Bread also commands famine prices
| Flour is S14 a barrel and rising.
Financial Panic Continues.
The financial panic continues. Billetes,
| or paper money, notwithstanding Weylers
| threats, are discredited and are taken only
| at heavy discount. A s. Spanish gold
| piece is today exchanged for $14 In billetes
| Early in the week the rate was $13 in bill
| letes. Silver today is at discount of IS
per cent from gold.
Proprietors of Havana newspapers are
! holding meetings to devise means to pro-
| tect themselves against loss from the bill
| letes. A report Is heard of a mutiny of
| sick Spanish soldiers who refused to receive
| pay IN billetes.
| The Legaspi, the Spanish warship sta
| toned in the harbor, has gone to sea-
| Yer mission, it is understood is to bring
| General Weyler to Havana.
| The insurgents claim to have advices
| that General Gomez's forces, in an en-
| counter with Weyler's troops at Lesvellas
| caused the Spanish loss of fifty-three
| killed. and many wounded; also that Gen.
| pral Gomez has elppmouad Eoparo1 Rohac