The Wichita daily eagle., 1897-11-25

miniStration would not under any cir
cumstances undertake to guarantee au-
tonomy. That would be making Itself
responsible for the colonial government
Of Cuba 10 the Spanish authorities. But
the presidents good offices are exeited
toward giving the policy OF autonomy a
fair trial. The message is expected 70
make this point clear beyond the po-si-
bility. Of misunderstanding.
II IL the belief that the presidents re-
view OF the Cuban situation viii tend
TO strengthen the feeling that the ad-
ministration will De able to meet every
phase of it in a manner TO satisfy the
conservative business interests OF the
country and discourage radical o, pre-
cipitate action
COMPETITOR CLAIMS.
According to the World, the next chap
ter Of the Competitor story viii carry
the case to Washington. Captain La
borde will make demands for damages
from the Spanish government, and the
United States government will be ask
ed TO press the Claims. Melton. VINO has
suffered more than the others, is likely
TO make similar claim. Leavitt, the
only other American n the party. will
place his case before the authorities OF
the state department.
SPANS POOR SOLDIERS.
A Dispatch to the World from Havana
says:
"Deplorable as the condition OF the re-
~ S,.@r-
is clearly to reliev the suffelin Of her
own troops. The loyal soldiers are in as
serious a plight az majority Of the re-
concentrates. The reconcentrados have
one advantage-they may beg and re-
ceive aid.
Ito begin with, the Spanish soldiers
have received no pay for many months
and consequently they are not able to
buy anything on their own account in
the small towns in which they are sta
toned. Then. too, the credit OF the
troops has been in most instances ex-
hausted. the shopkeepers refusing 10 de-
liver more goods until they are paid
what is long due TO them. All the sold-
iers have to depend upon in the way OF
food and clothing fs what is supplied by
the commissaciat department. and that
is neglected and, it is assert
ed, corrupt.
When General Blonce, In an inter
view with me four days after his arrival.
stated that ne would do his utmost to
better the condition of the private sold
ier, he was sincere. but it was impossible
for him to realize then what the condi-
ton OF the soldiers was. To learn the
truth he must personally inspect the
districts. The reports OF Off
GERS ale calculated 10 deceive the cap
tain general. All that General Blanco
has to judge by are the reports OF his
hospitals and even these, with all at
tempts at concealment, are appalling.
In Havana. leaving aside the hos
pitals, the conditions are not so bad. But
If the captain general were to go 10 the
he would see Ill soldiers dying
by the way.ide; ne would find many
forts that in reality are nothing more
than hospitals.
"If this lasts much Songer the troops
will surely mutiny. particularly IL relief
Is first afforded to the reconcentrados.
such is the state OF affairs in the
Spanish army in Cuba that General
Blanco has to contend with
BARCELONANS PROTEST.
Barcelona, Nov. 24.-At a meeting last
evening OF delegates representing a
number of political AMI commercial So
,ieties, held al the Republican club,
dispatch was sent to Premier Sagasta
strongly protesting against granting
customs autonomy to Cuba and Porto
Rico, and asserting the intention OF the
societies represented of continuing Their
opposition to custom autonomy. This
protest was not aimed at any particular
party, though the protestant. assert that
The party securing peace in Cuba with
,ut injuring the interests OF Spain and
Cuba will receive the recognition here
after OF the political and commercial So
,ieties interested in the present move
nent. The dispatch was signed by the
Marine society, the Public Works So
'iety, the Athaneum society. by many
clubs and by other import
mt associations.
SITUATION IN MADRID.
Madrid, Nov. 24.-The chambers OF
commerce OF BiTboa AMI Santander have
elegraphed to Premier Sas.ta and Senor
ioret, the minister for the colonies. de-
handing protection for Spanish products
n Cuba.
A review OF the newspaper situation
Ie,e shows that ten newspapers are hos
lie to General Weyler. while five are in
iis favor. OF the military organs two
upport the former captain general OF
,uba and one opposes him.
General Weyler has written letter 10 |
friend in Malaga saying he is prepared |
o .uppolt any political leader ito carry
n the glorious heritage of Canovas,"
dding: IF had been allowed 20 re-
main In Cuba the war would have been
nded in May"
Senior Romero Rolledo, the former min
stsr OF justice and warm friend o.
,aptsin General weyier. has convened a /
Meeting OF the dissiden, conservatives |
D tage place early in December. The
which this party viii be asked |
D adopt Is as follows: Strenuous de-
anse Of the national integrity and no
oncessions to foreign government nor |
TeakneS. towards the insurgents: pro !
actiol for national labor and t1e main |
ensnce OF the same tariff in Cu5a as IN |
pain.
GERMANY's CHINESE FLEET
Thinks That Other Nations should /
steal Something. Too