The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1897-03-23
Doing Everything He Can to Prevent the
Liberation Of American Citizens.
Nav Cause His Transfer to the Philip
pine Islands.
Only Eight Americans Now In Span
ish JaiIs i'm Cuba, and it is Said They
Will be Freed Within Very Short
Time - Calm Minds Predict the
End of Spanish Rule Within Two
Years.


End of Spanish Rule Within Two
Years.
CHICAGO, March 22-A special to
the Times Herald" from Washington
says:
The Madrid Government and Minister
De LONE are meeting the State De-
partment half way in the liberation OF
Americans under arrest in Cuba.
General Weyler, however, is acting
the part of obstructionist, and this may
cause his transfer to the Philippine
Islands.
This statement is made by an official
who is thoroughly familiar with the
negotiations with regard to the Amer
leans in confinement.
Only eight Americans are now with
in the walls of Spanish jails in Cuba.
These eight men, he continued, will
be freed within a very short time. You
Will hear of the liberation of two and
perhaps three during the present week,
and within a short time the reference to
the trial of the Competitor prisoners.
Were it not for General Weyler there
NOlilu Dt lllllt dOu'CI LAle"( We NOHiA ~
able to secure a much more rapid dis
position of the cases. There is some
friction between the Madrid authori-
ties and General Weyler in regard to
the matter, and it would not be surprfs-
ing to see him transferred to the Phil
ippine Islands.
Reports which have reached the
State Department bear out the dis
patches of the last few days, showing
the weakness of the rebel forces in
Cuba Instead of having two armies,
such as Maceo and Gomez commanded
a year ago" continued the official, the
rebels are now roaming about Cuba,
conducting a guerrilla warfare There
is no banded resistance against the
army of Spain. General Weyler has
demonstrated that he can march I'M
molested through the provinces of Ma
tanzas, Havana, Pinar del Rio and
others.
NEW YORK, March 22.-A dispatch
TO the World from Havana says:
Only a few of the more excitable
Spanish officers refuse to admit that
Cuba is lost to the crown. Resident
Spanish confess they can see no other
outcome. In fact, the evidence that
Cuba may in the end be freed by Span
ish residents themselves is strong.
The calmest minds predict the end Of
Spanish rule within two years. Some
say not SC soon, others say within a
year.
The proposition of Cisneros and Co
mez, sent in writing to the New York
World" to buy the island is rapidly
growing in popularity here. Its warm
est advocates are Spanish residents
here. loyal to the crown. They are ac-
tive financial and business men of the
island. the owners of eight-tenths Ct
its wealth and its sources of wealth.
The Spanish element is condemning
with more and more emphasis the
fruitless, exhausting policy of General
Weyler.
They see his idea Of pacifcation is de-
population His plan for peace is dew
astation. Farmers, laborers and all
neutrality-suspicious. classes in the coun-
try are driven to their graves or to the
rebel ranks 10 destroy what remains.
Wealth already produced is given to
the flames They see that Captain
General Weyler is making no military
progress. The Cubans are being left
more and more in possession Of the
country They frequently sack small
towns close to Havana. They are in
force in cities Of the fourth and third
class once or twice a month. Such
raids grow more common.
JEALOUS OF AMERICANS.
NEW YORK, March 22.-The Her
aid" this morning publishes the follow
ing special from Las Villas. Cuba:
Among the Americans in the Cuban
army there is only one who has had
previous experience in military affairs
This is Captain William Smith, for
merly in the United States cavalry
He is at present second in command OF
Gomez's personal escort, and is con-
sidered as the bravest soldier in this
body of picked men. Captain Smith is
probably the only officer in Gomez s
command who thoroughly understands
the handling Of cavalry and other mill
tary matters. Yet he is kept down to
his present rank while others, who are
his interiors in every respect, have beer
promoted to the rank of Brigadiers and
Colonels. AS in the case Of other
Americans, jealousy is the obstacle IL
his promotion.
Colonel Charles Gordon disembarked
here in Cuba last June and was granted
the rank of Major His remarkable
shooting at the fight of Vista Hermosa
in the province of Havana, astonisheC
the Spaniards and Cubans. He crossed
the trocha and Joined Maceo, as he die
not care TO stay in a province where
the Cuban, did little else but dodge tht
Spanish columns.
Naceo promoted him for bravery II
the field. and thought so much of hin
that he was selected as one of the few
to cross the trocha in his company.
Gordon was wounded at the same
time that Naceo was killed. He ar
rived last week at the headquarters o
Gomez and was placed on waiting or
ders until he should be thoroughly
cured. when he is to be sent to Matan
zas or Havana to organize an infantr!
force.
Major Funston of Kansas is youns
man who made a trip to Alaska to col
1ect specimens for the Smithsonian IN
stitution He landed with the eXpedi
ton of Brauulo Tena, in company witt
several other Americans, VINO came t
form a battery.
After the death of Colonel ossood h
received the command of twelve
FOUNDER, and out of Ito shots he oni.