Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1898-12-29
FAVOR ANNEXATION.
Wealthy cubaus Want to Join the
United States.
PROGRAMME AGREED on FOR HAVANA
Promptly Ut Noon on January I the Spanish
Flag Will BE Lowered and Did Glory
Raised-Wiii Have an Adequate
Force In Cuba

New York, Dec. 24.-The frstclass
cruiser New York, with Admiral Samp-
son on board, arrived from Havana
yesterday. The admiral came home to
attend his daughters wedding on
January 4, at Glen Ridge, N. J. He
will spend Christmas there with his
family. Admiral Sampson said that
the perfecting Of the custom house
service and the official police in the
island we're the two most important
features in connection with Cuba
When Gen. Green and Chief McCullagh
had established their police force. he
thought there would be little
disorder. The admiral said the
material benefit from the re-
duction Of the Cuban custom receipts
could not be judged at present and re.
marked that there had always been so
much fraud in connection with Cuban
customs that it was impossible to
change everything right away. In
answer to the question, "Do you think
the people Of the island will prove
amenable to the American govern.
ment% Admiral Sampson said: ut
does not make any difference whether
they are or not We are down there
and our government will go on. as it
is necessary" The admiral said that
De Castro, the civil governor Of Ha-
vana, was doing as we'll as could be
expected, and by January / all Of Cuba
would be officially evacuated except
Matanzas and one or two other points.
Regarding the suffering throughout
Cuba, which Mrs. Sampson has been
working hard to alleviate, Admiral
Sampson said 1.-THE government is
issuing rations regularly, but the re.
concentrates are now scattered, and
there is the difficulty. Many Of them
have died and many more will die.
They lack tools to work their farms,
and the only crop they could raise
now is sweet potatoes. 1t is too late
to raise sugar"
Reverting to the question Of the
future Of Cuba, Admiral Sampson
said: 1.-THE wealthiest and most in.
fluential people in Cuba want the is.
land annexed to the United States,
whether as a state or as territory,
they don't much care. But there are
many Cubans who think that they are
able to govern themselves. Cuba at
present certainly is in no condition to
govern ITSELF"
THE PROGRAMME FOR HAVANA.
Havana, Dec 24-At the joiut meet.
ing OF the United States and Spanish
military commissioners yesterday the
programme was finally agreed upon
for the exchange Of the flags on Janu-
airy |, at noon. just before IL o'clock
the American war vessels will fire
salute of 81 guns in honor Of the Span.
ish flags. Promptly at IL o'clock the
Spanish flags on the various public
buildings will be lowered and imme-
diately thereafter the stars and stripes
will be hoisted over FL Moro and the
public buildings Of the city, while
Spanish artillerymen at Cabanas fort.
ress will salute the American flag with
.. guns, Spanish warships in the
harbor participating in the salute. At
the same hour the Spanish troops, If
any then remain in the city, will be
paraded In barracks and will render
proper salute to the American forces
passing.
Just before noon the American and
Spanish commissioners, Gen. Castel.
lanos, the Spanish captain general,
and the American ranking officer in
Cuba Maj Gen. John r. Brooke, If he
arrives in time, and otherwise Maj
Gen. Lee, will assemble at the palace.
The Spanish commissioners will then
surrender the government to the
United States commissioners who will
Immediately transfer 1t to the Amer-
can general commanding. After this
the various functionaries will remain
awhile to receive those who may wish
to pay their respects to the incoming
authorities
WILL HAVE AN ADEQUATE FORCE.
Washington, Dec. 24-There is every
evidence in the war department that
strenuous efforts are making to put
enough American troops in Cuba to
meet any call upon them through the
speedy evacuation of the Spanish gar
risons All the transports available
at Atlantic ports are being prepared
under rush orders for sailing south.
The Spanish are carrying out thsir
evacuation contract with unusual
celebrity and there is some question
whether American troops can be con-
centrated at certain points before the
Spaniards leave. Meantime the Gu.
bans are preparing for demonstrations
during evacuation week, and it is
thought very desirable to have an ade'
quate force on Land to prevent any
outbreak that would jeopardize the
American intente at the outset.
-
Farmers Fight Deadly Battle.
Mountain Grove, Mo-, Dec. 94-Early