The San Francisco call., 1897-12-15
EmiSsarieS Carrying Olive
Branches Are Hanged
if Caught.
HOW GOMEZ DEPOSED A
PRESIDENT.
A Man or Peace Is Forced to
Give Way to Man OF
War.
Copyright, ss7, by James Gordon Bennett

HAVANA, Dec. 14-Cuban leaders in
the field are adopting every possible
method to prevent even the hin edge of
the wedge OF autonomy entering their
ranks. They not only absolutely refuse
10 discuss autonomy themse yes, but hey
are determined IN their efforts not TO
allow Spain's offers OF eli-Eovernmsnt to
be laid before the insurgent troops. All
emiSsarIes who dare TO carry olive
branches to the lie d are hanged il caught,
SEVENTH five per cent of the reoel soldiers
to-day are kept In ignorance of the liberal
terms Spain offers.
L am in receipt of information which en-
abIes M to assert that t e attitude on the
part OF Gomez and other most promIn mt
leaders of the revolution accounts in d
measure !or the mystery surrounding the
recent me citing of the Cuban Assembly TO
elect President and other officials.
There is circumstantisl evidence at hand
to prove that news published last Septem-
Der OF Senior Capote's election as Presi-
dent was correct. After acting as Presi-
dent for nearly three months Senior Cspo. g
was replaced by Senior Masso, because the
former was "A man of peace and iar-see-
ing lawyer, and as such might be inclined
to listen to proposals of autonomy.
When the news recently came that Senor
MasSo had been made President every body
was surprised. Members of the Junta
are disinciined to talk about the matter,
and it was this Discrimination that first
suggested that there might be discord in
the Cuban camp.
1 cannot state absolutely that discord
"a mill
be bad thing for the cause if it does
but l am informed that there has been
discord and that there has been a change
of Presidents.
When Senior Capote was elected Presi-
dent there was no serious idea among the
Cuban leaders that Spain would offer gen.
erous autonomy. Then came General
Weyler's recall and a com plete change of
Spanish policy. General Bianco made
overtures 10 every Cuban whom he thought
| likely to accept them. AbOv. all he de-
| sired to approach Senior Capote. If Senior
| Capote Were likely to be useful to the Gu
bans as Mediator, he was for the very same
reasoH more likely to prove of service TO
General Blanco in mpianting autonomy
General Blanco lost no time In feeling his
way with President Capote.
Astute General Gomez saw what was 60
! ing on and determin on radical meas
ure. He had absolutely no grounds for
III mixing that Senior CapOte would prove
dlsloyal In any way 10 the cause Of inde-
pendeuce, but he knew the President 10
be a mIid-tempered man, and there was a
possl blnty that he might listen TO pro
posals Tor autonomy. So it was thai Cen
eral Gomez decide 10 have q PI Iesident
who was wholly promising. Senior
Ma,so was the man. He was one of the
very last TO lay down arms at the close OF
the ten years ~ar. de Was a soldier, and
one whom ii was utterly impossible 10 ap-
proach with any terms short of inde-
pendeHce.
General Gomez Teconvened the Assem-
bly, and had Senior Masso made Preside ent
The substitution Was affected without
! much Difficulty. Senior Capote is man
OF peace and yielded gradually. From a
Cuban point OF view Senior Masso is be ter
fitted to-day TO act as President Ihdn Senior
Capo;e.
Such l am informed is the inwardness
OF the mystery that has surrounded he
| Cuban elections. l have no personal
knowledge TO offer in evidence
LONDON, Dec. 14.-The Spanish Gov
ernment, 1t Is again announced, is nego-
tIating with the Armstrong;, this time Tor
cruiser of 1900 tons, said to be worth
4300, 900, built for Japan, but which Japan
does not want. The vessel is said TO be
practically ready for sea.