The herald., 1897-06-20
WILL MAKE UP HIS MIND
CUBAN POLICY NOT
DECIDED ON
The Report That Instructions Have
Been Given Minister Woodford
Officially Denied

WASHINGTON, June 19.-It can be
stated on the best authority that all
publications outlining the Cuban policy
of President Mckinley up to the pres
ent time have been in disregard of the
| fact that the case of the United States
government has not been made up, and
that even in the discussions of the SUBJ
circles the point has not as yet been
reached where 1t could be said that the
executive had finally determined upon
any certain plan of action. At the State
Department an authoritative denial Is
given of the statement cabled to Lon
don that General Woodford, the newly
appointed United States Minister to
Spain had been instructed to intimate
to the Spanish authorities that if Spain
refuses to grant freedom to Cuba she
must be prepared to yield to force.
MRS. RUIZ EMPHATIC
NEW YORK, June 19.-In regard to
the report that Spain, through Premier
Canovas, has offered to settle the claim
of Mrs. Ruiz, the widow Of DIR. Ruiz,
against the Spanish government by the
payment of $40, 900, with the understand
ing that the United States will not press
an official claim. Mrs. Ruiz last even
ing said: Never will accept anything
direct from the Spanish. I am in the
hands of the United States government
and all overtures from Spain must be
made to it. Whatever the government
advises me to do, will do, but Spain
must not try to deal with me-
Mrs. Ruiz said she did not know
whether she would accept the $4,000.
She intimated that if the government
was satisfied she would be-
BRIGAND BUSINESS
NEW YORK, June ia dispatch to
the Journal from Havana says: A
Madrid dispatch says that since Janu-
airy 1st last $S, 100000 has been paid into
the government treasury by Spanish
parents redeeming their sons from mill
itary service in Cuba and the Philip
pines. The money, it is announced, has
been turned over to the Navy Depart
ment to meet the expenses increasing
the navy. In Havana it was reported
yesterday that orders had been given
to transform twenty vessels of the
transatlantic line into armed cruisers
for service in the West India waters,
owing to the strained relations existing
with the United States. A double force
Of employees are working day and night
and torpedoes are being laid to all the
Cuban entrances OF porte of Importance.
from Banes word comes that a gov
ernment vessel was sunk at the en-
trance of the harbor during the last en-
gagement, by a shell from Roloff's bat
teries ON shore, closing the port alto
gether to future naval operations.
In petition to Weyler, Spanish troops
of the Guines garrison have asked per-
mission to give half of their daily ra-
tions to starving Cuban women and chill
dren.
FIERCE FIGHTING
HAVANA, June 10. (via Key West)-
A few days ago party of soldiers arrived
here from Fort Mogoles five leagues
from the city of Santa Clara They say
that an attack was made upon the fort
by band of insurgents, and that most
of the garrison died defending the fort
All the ammunition was captured, and
all the survivors Of the garrison except
ing themselves were taken prisoners by
1.-THE Insurgents.
Official advlces received state that q
hot engagement has occurred at Man.
tua, Pinar del Rio.
The Spanish marines and infantry
forces were largely outnumbered by the
insurgents, and after several hours of
fierce fighting the regular were compell-
ed to seek refuge in nearby town.
They met with large losses in killed and
wounded, many of whom were left on
the field.
From the Kuraco Monon trooha easuna