The herald., 1897-12-26
Does Not Improve Affairs
in Cuba
CoMCENTRAD0S' CONDITIONS
AS PITIFUL AS UNDER RULE OF
WEYLER
General Pando's Army Suffers in En-
gagements With the Insurgents.
Christmas at Havana.
Press Special Wire

|
HAVANA (via Key WesD, Dec. 25.-
Generally speaking, the condition of the
concentrates is as ptiful as it was dur
ing the administration in the island of
Gen. Weyler, despite Captain General
Blanco's relief DEGREES. A relief fund Of
s1OO, 900 will hardly give the sufferers 20
cents each.
La Lucha demands that the amounts
expended by municipal authorities for
the relief of the destitute inhabitants be
published.
During the last month numerous rob-
berries and stabbing ARRAYS are reported
to have occurred in Havana. These out
RACES are ascribed to the return to Ha-
vana from Ceuta prison of the mani
gos," who have been pardoned for polit-
cal offenses under recent DEGREES.
1t is officially stated that many cane
fields in Havana province have been
burned by the insurgents.
| 1t is reported that Brigadier Aran-
gueren was at Guanabacoa night before
| last.
1t is reported that in various engage
ments with the insurgents, the forces of
Gen. Pando have suffered considerable
losses. The column for several day was
short of provisions, owing to the vigorous
resistance made by the insurgents to
the advance by the Spaniards and the
many impediments placed in their way.
Gen. Pandos exact losses are not known,
owing to the difficulty of communica
! ton.
| While a number of insurgents were
carrying a case containing dynamite, in
the province of Puerto Principe, the
dynamite exploed, killing seven of the
party and wounding eight others.
| AS is customary here on Christmas
eve. large crowds of Spaniards assem-
bled in Central park and indulged in
dancing. singing and other forms of
amusement. a large number of those
present, becoming intoxicated, began to
make demonstrations and shout, Viva
| Weyler!" viva Espana!" viva Union
| Constitutional" Down with autono-
my." and other disturbing cries. The po-
| lice We're summoned, and upon their ar
rival ordered the crowd to disperse. No
attention was paid to their orders, and
the officers being reinforced, guards
We're stationed in all the avenues in the
vicinity of the park. In the meantime
the groups in the park continued their
shouting and demonstration, compelling
the cavalry a detachment of which had
| been summoned to the scene, to charge
| upon them, sabre in hand, and disperse
them. Several of the police We're slight
| ly injured by the stones thrown by the
populace. Eight arrests We're made, but
no shots were fired.
La Lucha has published a document,
claimed to have been authorized by
United States Consul General Lee, stat
ing that Col. Ruiz was executed because
he proposed peace in contravention to a
decree issued by Gen. Gomez.
Reports from Pinar del Rio to the au-
| thorities here say that two commission
ers who were sent to propose peace with
autonomy to the insurgents in that prov
| ince, have been hanged, in conformity
with the decree of Gen. Gomez.
Senor Antonio Gown, secretary of the
Autonomist party. who has for nearly a
year past, resided in the United States,
has cabled to the government his ac-
ceptance of post in the colonial cabinet
In March last Senor Gown left Ha-
vana for the United States. On his de-
parture it was understood that he was
starting only on a short trip for his
health and relaxation. Many friends
went to the wharf and boarded the
steamer to see him off. Once on board.
Senor Gown surprised his friends by
pointing to the Moro. castle flag and
stating that he would not return until
the flag was changed.
| Rumors which have been circulated
ha CvlI
newspaper correspondent, had been
hanged by the insurgents, are untrue
1t is reported that he and Senior Rafael
Madrigal, the American consul at Sancti
Spiritus, were the bearers of an import
ant dispatch from President Mckinley
to President" Masso and Gen. Gomez.