Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1897-11-23
BRIDES OFFERED.
SPANS Ing|orious Way Of
Ending the Cuban War.
Offer Vast Sums and High Rank
fo1 Cubans' influence.
Nothing Yet Heard-Saie 10 Sav The ONers
Are Oecliaed.

| ho'oHd' via hey west, fla., NOV. ".
General Pando. started by train from
this city, Saturday. in order, according
to the official announcement, to take
charge of the campaign against the in
surgents. He was accompanied by his
full staff. But it is stated on very good
authority that General Pando has been
commissioned by Marshal BlancO, the
captain general, to enter into communal
cation with the insurgent leaders with
the view of arranging for peace.
This is not mere surmise, but Is a.
statement based on an accurate knowl-
edge of all the facts in the case, and
General PandO did not leave this city
until he had taken steps calculated to
further the object which Marshal
Blanco has in view. General Pando af-
ter consultation with the captain
general. first brought about the release
from confinement of Damian Caballero,
VINO had been imprisoned on the Isle of
Pines for some time. for. it is alleged,
acting as spy for the insurgents and
bringing about the disasters suffered
by the Spanish troops at the battle of
Cacao. province of Santiago De Cuba.
General Pando furnished Damian
Caballero, who is the godfather of
Rabi, the well-known insurgent leader.
who is looked upon as being the back
bone Of the insurgent movement in the
province of Santiago De Cuba, with
sum of money and caused him to be
landed at Manzanillo. province of San
tiagO De Cuba. where good horse was
placed at his disposal. General Pando's
peace emissary was also furnished with
official documents empowering him to
act in behalf of the Spanish COM
mander and from Manzanillo, Cabal-
lero made his way secretly to the Jig
uani hills. where General Rabi has his
headquarters. Jiguani is not far from
Bayamo. which is connected by rail
with Mananillo. and Bayamo Is about
half way between Manzillo and Hon
quin. The latter place is connected by
rail with the port of Gibara, on the
northern coast Of the province of Santi-
ago De Cuba. Manxanillo Is situated
on the great bay of Buena Esperanto,
| on the eastern coast Of Santiago de
| Cuba.
General Pando instructed Caballero
to offer General Rabi a high rank in
the Spanish army, and large sum Of
money to be distributed among the
other insurgent leaders Of that part Of
Cuba and in addition. General PandOs
messenger was empowered to offer
General Rabi a large sum Of money for
himself, in the event of the latter sue
ceeding in arranging terms for peace.
Besides this. Caballero was instructed
to inform the insurgent leaders that
the Spanish authorities undertook to
honestly establish the new autonomist
regime if the leaders of the insurgents
would accept the propositions made to
them.
Although CaballerO has not returned
from Santiago de Cuba, confidential
advices which have reached the Span
ish officials here seem to indicate that
Caballero has so far been unsuccess-
full. 1t is added that previous to leav-
ing ManZanillo for the interior Of San
tiagO de Cuba. the agent of General
PandO obtained letter Of introduction
from well-knOwn merchant, Senior
Soils of Manzanillo, to General Du
ValOn. the French leader Of the insur-
gents. with the view of inducing the
latter as Rabi. to enter into negOtia-
tons with the Spanish authorities look
ing to a peace settlement and the ac-
ceptance of the autonomist form of
government proposed by Spain for
Cuba.
Caballero in due course Of time ar
rived safely at the camp of General
Rabi where the insurgent leader had
been supporting Caballero's family
while he was in prison. But the argu-
ments of General Pando's agents have
not apparently had the effect hoped for
nv tho MI oil, mi 60 10 t.
understood General Rabi has replied
that he believes successful ending
Of the war in favor of the insurgents Is
approaching; that the Cubans, with
the aid Of the United States will gain
their independence, and that, therefore
he prefers to continue fighting the
Spaniards until the final victory Is won.
There seems to be no intimation as
to the result of Caballero's negotiations
with General Du Valot. although 1t
may be judged from the attitude as
sumed by General Rabi that the peace
negotiations are likely to fall fiat in
Santiago de Cuba.
General Pando in the meanwhile, act
ing after consultation with Marshal
Blanco. has put other irons in the fire,
in the hope of prevailing upon the in
surgents to come to terms. He has
been and is still in negotiation with
three leaders of the last Cuban revOlu-
ton and has been endeavoring to in
duce them to go to different insurgent
camps. there to use their influence to
bring about peace, on the promise Of
Cuban being accorded a really autono-
nous form Of government.
These three men were also offered
money for themselves and were to have
been furnished with large sums Of
money to distribute among their
friends. But it IL understood they have
hitherto declined to become the agents
Of General Pando, alleging as their ex-
cuse that they have no influence with
the insurgent leaders Of the present
day and that they would be risking
their lives II they ventured into the in
surgent camps.
In some quarters II Is believed that
his reluctance to accept the overtures
of General Pando Is due to the fact
that the insurgents are anticipating
Continued On page a
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