The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1897-04-01
SEE NO SIGN OF PEACE.
THE STATE OF AFFAIRS IN CUBA
Officials at Washington Can Discern
No Reason for Canovas' Statement
That the Campaign is Near
Successful Close.
Successful Close.
Especial to Chicago RecordD

Washington, March 29.-Neithcr at
the Department of State nor at the Span
ism Legation is there any news concern
ing the APPROACH of peace in Cuba and
the Associated Press cable-gram from
Madrid. announcing that Mr.. Canovas
had informed the Press that the cam
paign in Cuba was near a successful
close is not understood here. 1t has been
known for some weeks that Marcus Gar
cha, DR.. Jorrin and other prominent Lib
erals have been endeavOring to persuade
the insurgent leaders to accept the re-
forms, and that they have been encour-
aged to hope that a great many of the
educated Cubans now serving with the
insurgents would lay down their arms
and accept the amnesty of the Spanish
Government, but it was not believed that
there would be any practical solution
of the problem in Cuba as long as Cen
Weyler remains in command of the Span
ish forces. The insurgents will not treat
with him. In the first place, they fear
him. and have no confidence with his sim
certify. In the second place, they hate
him, and are not willing that he should
enjoy any glory from their surrender.
If Marshal Campos, Or some other man
who is respected by the insurgents,
should be made Captain General. there
might be a possibility Of peace. but the
best informed do not expect any improve
ment in present conditions as long as
Weyler is there. Marcos Garcia is the
alcalde of Sancti Espiritu, and was a
General in the ten years revolution,
although he has not taken an active
part in this. Mr.. JOrrin has been an ali-
economist member of the Spanish Cortes
for many years and a leader i'll that
party. He, too, was among the patriots
in 1868. but has not sympathized with
the present movement.
If it is true that the ilibuster steamer
Laurada has landed a cargo of arms and
ammunition within reach of the insur-
gents, peace is indefinitely postponed, for
the insurgents will fight as long as they
have ammunition. There is no doubt
that the published stories of the expedi-
ton are substantially correct, although
the amount of arms and ammunition said
to have been landed must have been ex-
aggerated. because small Il steamer
could not have carried SO large ergo.
The agents of the junta here say that the
Laurada was not only heavily loaded
herself. but that she lowed a schooner
Of 100 or 500 tons burden. which was
also loaded with military stores. Ii
this he true. the insurgents have receiy-
ed IL sufficient amount of ammunition to
last thern for several months. and will
be enabled TO make an aggressive cam
paign, from which Spain will suffer more
than frem any previous military move
ment on their part. because the rainy
season is approaching, when the Spanish
army cannot fight and mast be taken
from the lowEands on the island To a
healthier altitude.
If Prime Minister Canovas has any
reason to expect peace he has not com
municated it to the representative ofvlns
government here. nor to the United
States Minister at Madrid
President Mckinley is exceedingly anx
iols to relieve Gen. Lee as cOnsul-gen
eral at Havana. tut he cannot find a
proper man To accept that post. He has.
endeavored TO persuade Gen. Draper. OF
to 60 to Havana for
time. with tfIe understanding that he
shall be made minister to Spain later on.
He wants Draper particularly because
of his conservative attitude during the
lingo Debates in the House Of Repre- 4
sentatives. Gen. Draper was a meETber
IF the committee of Foreign Affairs. and
Of the subcommittee to which all the
resolutions introduced by the Caban
were referred. And. not
the fact that his symparhIes
like those of many CtherS-were with
lie Cubans. he did not permit sentiment
TO bias his Judgment, and by his coThser-
vative course materially aided in sup
pressing the agitation and preventing the
House Of Representatives from adopting
legislation that would be offensive 1"
Spain. The. President WAS familiar with
these facts when he invited Draper I"
become consul general t6 Havana. but
lie General and his wife are socially am
bilious. and would he satisfied with
nothing but an embassy or Il first-cIaSS
mission. Now tire President ~ looking
for another man of Gen. Drapers char
acter, experience and conservative views
but he is difficult 10 find
The milcrs of the United States are
not satisfied with the tariff bill. they
recognize ;as Mr. Blaine said Of the Nc
KinIey bilr that there is nothing in 1t
that will sell another barrel Of flour or
another pound of pork They regard tIe
reciprocity section as Il pretense. for they
know that treaties cannot be negotiated
with any nation on the terms proposed.
In addition 10 that duties are imposed
upon milling apparatus. which will IN
crease the cost Of production. NJ II.
: fhn \..vft al