Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-12-06

who was in command of the insurgents in
Havana province, was undoubtedly he
trayed to his death a few weeks ago. Other
officers have fallen in the same way, yet
there is always some one to take their
place.
Reported Surrenders Deceptive.
The reported surrenders are also decep
tive. The insurgents are taking advantage
Of the invitations of Gen. Blanco to resume
their allegiance by having their sick for
whom they are unable to care give them
selves up. The same thing was done under
Weyler, who also issued proclamations of
this kind. Moreover, the presentados, or
persons who give themselves up, do not al
ways stay presented. Often the men go out
IN the field again, though these men are not
numerous enough to make a serious dif-
ference on either side. In going through
the official reports l have been able to find
no change from the Weyer regime. The
presentados still chiefly made up of wo-
men and children, or of men sin armas'-
without arms. They are worthless as an
index OF pacitication or acceptance Of au-
tonomy. The insurgents so regard them.
Their reply to Blanco's overtures was to
burn the cane fields within sight OF Ha-
vana. This has been stopped under orders
from headquarters since New York parties
opened negotiations for grinding the sugar
cane on the payment of a fixed sum.
1t might be thought that the Sagasta
ministry and Gen. Blanco could depend on
the people they have let out of prison or
permitted to return to Cuba from the penal
settlements of Africa to heartily uphold the
Of Ili,t is
bending reed which to lean. The reed
may not break, yet it will never be safe to
trust. Most CT the ''indultados," or par
of a great wrong, and many Of them, 100,
of great suffering They do not seem to
look upon their release as giving the gov
ernment claim ON them. Instead they
want restitution. A group was pointed out
to me this morning, all OF whose members
were just back from Africa. chance in
PRODUCTION to one OF them later gave me an
opportunity to ask his purposes l haG as
sumed that he would support the new
policy. You are mis- staken, he said, Two
years ago l was an autonomlst. For tnat
l have had twenty months Imprisonment.
Weyler was responsible for IL, but Weyler
was Spain. He may be Spain again. Why
should we talk OF autonomy when we are
SO near independence? Others are asking
the same question. L do not think. how
ever, that many Of those vino have been
released will take the field with the insur-
gents. The majority of them are Likely to
remain passive. Mr.. Viondi, the lawyer
who defended Sanguilly, and who was soon
thereafter thrown into JAIL is among those
who have been freed. 1t is announced that
he will resume the practice OF his profeS-
sion. l am told he Is advising the accept
ance of autonomy tor a time at least.
These are the conditions as they appear
today. What progress is made by Captain
General Blanco VIII be recounted IN the
future as it may develop. In the meantime,
While waiting to give autonomy 1alr
chance, long wait is not necessary TO
Judge the results of the promised policy OF
succoring the starving people NO con-
ficting or antagOnistlc elements have to be
harmOniZed in order to give rellef. That Is
a matter of good administration and prompt
measures to meet an emergency which con-
Germs human lives. Both are lacking. The
palpable evidences that the DEGREES and
orders for the benefit of the reconcentra-
does exist except on paper. are not yet ap-
parent. They are Still dying Oh munger anu
diseases due to neglect.
Sad Condition In Pinnr del Rio.
A Spanish-born tobacco merchant, who Is
a paturaIized American citizen, gave me
today his own experience in parts OF Pinar
del Rio He found the concentrates dying
In worse surroundings. If that could be pos
sible, than during the last few months. The
authorities had done nothing to carry out
the humane intention of General Blanco's
1evocat on decree. They Lad no means With
which to do anything, they said. Within
his own observation had come an instance
of bloated and diseased cattle killed and
the meat eaten to satisfy the ravenOus
hunger of the pacificos. In the villages,
where the water supply Is from the run
ming streams. 1t has been polluted by the
soldiers washing their wounds and through
similar causes. Nothing was done to warn
the people or to give them protection
against disease. In Consolation and neigh
boring places smallpox has broken out for
the third time within a year. Il would not
pass another week in Pinar del Rio for
lO,O0O," said this tobacco merchant in tell
ing his experiences.
The same man told me how his own eff
fort to take advantage Of the revocation
order and help some of the pacificoes had
been foiled. This was at Alequisa, in the
province of Havana. He had proposed to
take q few families, put them on a tobacco
have not interfered with the crop. build
huts and provide food until they could earn
something The local commandante re-
fused permission for the pacificoes to leave
little forts for the soldiers. who. he insisted,
would have to be detailed to protect the
pacihcoes. This meant that 1t would cost
more to get the crop in than 1t would bring
thwarted in his effort to help the starving
people. have heard of other instances in
which the commentaries defeat the execu-
ton OF. General BlAnco's revocation decree.
They do not openly defy 1t. but they have
no trouble In keeping It from being carried
out. CHARLES NJ. PEPPER.