Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1897-11-11
IDLE RuMoRs SET AT REST.
Secretary Long Declares There Is No
Danger of War.


Danger of War.
Washington, Nov. S.-"There is abso-
lutely no foundation for this Cuban
war scare. There has not been meet
Ing of the cabinet for two months
when the forecast, so far as foreign
affairs are concerned, was SO pacifica-
tory. The prospect for the navy is so
quiescent that the captain of our big
gest ship has been ordered to Wash
ington and is sitting upon board to
prepare a bill for the reorganization
of the personnel Of the naval reserve.
The rest of the big ships are now under
going their winter repairs" Secretary
of the Navy Long dictated the above
statement on Saturday. He made the
statement because of the sensational
reports which have been published
during the last few days alleging that
the relations between the United States
and Spain were in such condition that
war was impending.
What the secretary of the navy said
is simply reiteration of statements
made by other cabinet officers from
time to time for some days past, all of
whom have insisted that there has been
no development in the Cuban matter
which would lead them to anticipate
war. Positive information secured at
the white house shows conclusively
that President Mckinley regards the
Cuban situation as most pacific; nor
does he anticipate any developments
OF he hiah will I, ;,,e
subject of alarm. In fact, it can be
stated authoritative that it is the firm
determination of the President to give
Spain a reasonable time in which to
test the new policy which Gen. Blanco
has been authorized to put into effect
in Cuba. The president has been Off
cially informed of the intention of
Spain to abandon the RECOMMENDATION
policy, and he is daily anticipating the
announcement that Gen. Blanco has is
sued an order extending the zones of
cultivation in Cuba.
The succession of Gen. Weyler by
Gen. Blanco and the consequent pros
Pect of more humane conduct of the
war are reasons, in the opinion of the
president, why this government should
go slow in further interfering in the
Cuban matter. Therefore, officials saw,
the reports of impending trouble are
false on their face. Washington and
Madrid are acting in full accord, they
declare, and, so far as the president is
concerned, he proposes to deal with the
Cuban question in a sober, calm and
dignified manner.
Matanzas, Cuba, Nov. S.-The Spanish
authorities are investigating q serious
mutiny on the transport steamer Mont
serrat, which left Havana for Spain
some days ago. The steamship re-
turned Friday flying signals of dis
tress. Capt. Gen. Weyler was on board,
as well as nearly 1000 wounded troops.
The soldiers had made open protest
when, before going aboard, they had
demanded their salaries, six months
overdue, in gold, but were forced to ac-
cept deprecated fiat bills of the Havana
bank at par. Once embarked they were
huddled below like so many sheep, in
order to leave the deck free for their
gold-laced superiors.
Even the government nealIn O11cerS
predicted that dozens would die on the
voyage daily unless better facilities
were provided, but their suggestions
were unheeded. The feeling against
Weyler grew rapidly, and, it is under
stood, trouble occurred during the Sec
ond day out from Havana. The men in
sisted upon their rights, in view of the
cramped condition of the hold, to come
up on deck. Weyler ordered them
driven below. when serious encounter
occurred. in which a number were killed
on both sides.
Madrid, Nov. S.-The cabinet council
has approved the proposal of political
amnesty for Cuba and the Philippines.
The government denies that the action
to be taken with regard to the remarks
made by Lieut.. Gen. Weyler to the
Populations that waited upon him
shortly before he left Havana is the
result of any suggestion on the subject
received from Washington. No COM
munications have been received from
the American government on that mat
ter.
The government has received a cable
message from the autonomist leaders
in Cuba accepting on behalf of the
party the appointments rendered repre-
sentative autonomists on the nomina-
Of To- h,1