The herald., 1897-11-25
The Feature of McKinley's
Message
INTERVENTION is INTENDED
UNLESS THE WAR Is QUICKLY
ENDED
BlAnco's Investigations Show That the
Spanish Soldiers in Cuba Are
Actually Starving n
Associated Press Special wire.

SA~S"o4Ay SSUA vAAA6 III
Associated Press Special Wire.
NEW YORK, Nov. PA dispatch to
the Tribune from Washington syys:
The Cuban and the currency ques-
tions will be the leading topEs in the
Presidents message. 1t is Understood
that the discussion OF the Cyban sltua-
ton will be comprehensive 1t has al
ready been explained WHIT the State
Department has prepared In reply to
the Spanish note regarding fllibuster-
Ing.
Whether the Presidepl will lncorpor-
ate the substance of THU in his message,
or leave it to go In aspart Of the regu-
lar Diplomatic correspondence, may be
determined later; b,t the message will
define the Cuban peicy of the admins
tration.
Members of Conress with whom the
President might freely consult on the
question have aJhost without exception
said this shouldbe done, ,and Mr.. McKin-
ley apparently las agreed with them.
The reason yyen for this course is ap-
parent. Whit sincere hope is enter
tanned that ne Sagasta Ministry may
end the warat an early date. the possi-
biiity OF itsailure cannot be overlooked.
In that evdt 1t is desirable for the policy
Of this cotatry to be known. A strong
intimatioj Is given that in the failure
Of an eA to the present conditions in
Cuba abn early date, no hesitation will
be hadn the United States of making
knowlyts position of ultimate interven-
tiop humanity and commerce may be
mse the grounds for this action.
me belief is that the Cuban problem
III be solved through the good offices
" this country. but the expectation is
that these good offices will be exerted
within reasonable time after Congress
meets and after the prospects Of the in
eurgents as to accepting or rejecting
are known beyond question. If Cuba
Is actually pacified and industry and
trade are resumed that condition Is ex-
pected to speak for itself. The refusal
Of few insurgent leaders to lay down
their arms and the continuance of sort
Of bandit warfare would not be inter-
preted by the administration as the fail
ure Of autonomy. On the other hand,
the continuance Of the present condi-
tions would hardly be accepted as evil
dence that the island Is pacifled.
Some misunderstanding is said to exist
in Spanish official circles regarding the
position of the administration if the
decree of autonomy is gazetted. The
administration would not under any cir
cumstances undertake to guarantee
autonomy. That would be making itself
responsible for the colonial government
Of Cuba to the Spanish authorities. But
the Presidents good offices are exerted
toward giving the policy of autonomy a
fair trial.
The message Is expected to make this
point clear beyond the possibility of mis-
understanding.
WILL CLAIM DAMAGES.
NEW YORK, Nov. 24.-According to
the World the next chapter of the Com
petitory story will carry the case to
Washington. Captain Labordes will
make demands for damages from the
Spanish government and the United
States, will be asked to press the claims.
Melton. who has suffered more than
the others. is likely to make a similar
claim. Leavitt, the only other Ameri-
can in the party, will place his case be-
fore the authorities Of the State Depart
ment. Captain Laborde is at the home of
his brother.
Laborde, in discussing the case, said:
ITO begin with, am an American born
citizen. Then the Competitor was an
American schooner and was regularly
cleared under American papers. She was
flying the American flag. There is moth
ing to substantiate the Spaniards claim
that we were pirates, because there was
no evidence of piracy on the high seas.
1.-THE officers Of the Spanish gunboats
were the pirates. They stole my watch,
$50 in money, and personal effects from
the Competitor. Then besides, 1 re-
ceived the most cruel treatment when
the sailors upon the orders from the Of
ficers in charge bound my hands with
cords and twisted iron into the flesh 1
was ashamed Of the fact that my grand
father wore the uniform of Spanish
Admiral. After that was fairly well
treated, much better than many other
prisoners.
AGAINST CUSTOMS AUTONOMY.
BARCELONA, Nov. 24.-At q meet
Ing yesterday evening of delegates
q number Of political and
societies, held at the Re-
publican Club, dispatch was sent to
Premier Sagasta strongly protesting
against permitting customs autonomy
to Cuba and Porto Rico, and asserting |
the intention Of the societies repre-
scented Of continuing their opposition to
customs autonomy.
This protest was not aimed at any |
particular party. though the protestants |
assert that the party securing peace In
Cuba without injuring the interests of
Spain and Cuba will receive the recog-
nitioh hereafter Of the political and com
mercial societies interested in the pres
cnt movement. The dispatch was
signed by the Marine Society, Public |
Works Society and by many Republi- |
can clubs and other important associa-
tions.
DOES NOT LIKE sAGAsTA's PLAN.
MADRID, Nov. 24.-The Chambers OF
Commerce of Bilboa and Santander
have telegraphed to Premier Sagasta |
and Senior Moret, the Minister for the
Colonies. demanding protection for