Evening star., 1897-06-03
IN HAVANA
Continued from First Page.)


vana. The Irritation which it might cause
the Spanish authorities or the populace at
first would be nothing to the good 1t might
do at later period. Consul General Lees
call for a warship at the time of Ruiz's
death was a useful means Of changing SEN
timent toward American citizens, and in
surfing them protection in their rights. The
actual presence of a vessel would be q
strong guarantee against outrages in the
future
Claims Against Spain.
1t is not likely that the claims of Amer
lean citizens against the Spanish govern
ment will be prejudiced by recognition Of
belligerency. There Is little left now to be
destroyed. Nominally the Spanish govern
ment is responsible for property that has
been destroyed by the insurgents, as well
as by its own troops. The claims are al
ready piled mountain high, but few Of the
claimants expect to receive anything. Some
Of them know from experience how diff
cult 1t Is to collect a claim from Spain for
damages in Cuba So they are willing that
in the future Spain shall be freed from re-
sponsibility. though they know that II the
insurgents succeed the chance of recovery
from the Cuban republic will be. slight.
Nobody who has had property interests in
this island will get much return for his
losses, no matter what his citizenship may
be. 1t is condition of anarchy. in which
the rights Of property are not recognized.
The possible exercise of the right OF
search by Spain does rot cause worry.
The palace authorities complain bitterly
Of the way American vessels coming into
Cuban ports give indirect aid to the insur-
- 1l-A -
which General Ahumada explained to MIR.
Calhoun few days after the latter's ar
rival. One ship in particular, which plies
between Florida ports and Havana, Is the
object of their complaint. If belligerency
is recognized that vessel will be searched
at every opportunity. There do not ap-
pear to be enough other ships at present
engaged in commerce between the United
States and Cuba to cause any great in
convenience. If Spain should declare a
blockade of the Cuban ports adventuresome
filibusters might result in trouble. but the
Americans in Havana who are engaged in
what little is left of the legitimate carry
ing trade tell me they do not fear inter
ference or serious Inconvenience. Should
war actually come about between the two
countries they realize that the time which
is allowed under treaty stipulations fol
settling up their business would be sub
ject of controversy. Some of the poorer
citizens are already On their way to the
United States under the plan which Consul
General Lee adopted of paying their pas
sage out of the funds appropriated by Con.
gress. Others will follow. Those who re-
mained in Cuba in the event of hostilities
following international usage would place
themselves under the protection of one OF
the foreign consul generals Generally
speaking 1 think 1t may fairly be said thai
the Americans in Cuba do not look fol
any materia, change in their own statu!
from the recognition of belligerency, mol
do they, as rule believe that such actor
will lead to war. But If 1t does they hope
there will be no half-hea arted business abou
1t.
War Vigorously Prosecuted.
Said an American citizen who has beer
engaged in trade here for thirty years
IF the United States must have war al
the outcome of this Cuban muddle he
statesmen should not hesitate in making
war from the start. She cannot afford t,
go about 1t in a leisurely way. Spain will
fight desperately. bravely, hopelessly, bu
II the United States goes into 1t vigorousl!
the war will not last long, and she will
save both countries the useless expendi
ture Of hundreds of millions of dollars
The same idea was conveyed by another
American who called my attention to tn
cables from Madrid in the Havana papers
These had evidently been severely deal
with by the censor. for little could be learn
ed from them concerning the cabinet cri
sis. but for several days they gave prom
inence to Sagasta's denials that he woul,
| consent to the Cubans buying their inde
pendehce through. tho Intervention of tn
United States. This American believes tina
Spain would rather part with Cuba unde
the compulsion of war with the Unite
| States than sell it.
What the Insurgents Think.
| What the insurgents themselves think o
the recognition Of belligerency Is not to
| learned in Havana, because they are no
| here. But they have their sympathizers
| who say that 1t will be tardy acknowlede
| ment of the strength Of the insurrectior
/ While Mr.. Calhoun has not gone out int
| the insurgent strongholds and into tn
| eastern provinces held by them to find tn
| Cuban republics government the sympa
| thizers in Havana think he has seen enoug
to convince him that war exists in Cubs
The opinion Is quite general that ther
| would be no immediate effect on miitar
| operations, probably not till the campaig
opens after the rainy season. For the pre-.
| ent Gomez and his heutenants seem to hay
arms enough. Meantime they would hay
| to secure money for further supplies an
land these in spite of Spain's right
search vessels. / also hear whispered SUI
gestions that belligerency would recruit fe
Gomez a good many young men In tt
cities who have been waiting the opportui
ity to join the insurgents.
CHARLES PEPPER.
MIR. CALHOUN SAILS TODAY.