Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1898-11-03
FOR GARRISON DUTY
Cubans and Spaniards Will Prob
ably Be Enlisted in Cuba.
Al OFFER TO RAISE The MAINE.
a Wreoking Company Asks for Authority
to Save the Battleship and Ia Likely
10 Get 1t-Gen. BlancO Col
lectIng Duty on Cattle.

Washington, Oct 20. --Cubans, and
even Spaniards, will be enlisted for
garrison duty in the United States
army, in connection with the occupa-
ton OF Cuba, In case congress approves
the recommendation which Secretary
Alger will make in his forthcoming
annual report. This subject has been
frequently discussed by the president
and his cabinet, and the conclusion
reached to provide employment for a
limited number OF Cubans by enlist
ing them into the army Of the United
States. As 1t will not be the policy to
discriminate against any class, men
now In the Spanish army in Cuba who
may elect to remain in the island
will be eligible for enlistment in the
ranks Of the American army. 1t is not
proposed at first to accept residents OF
Cuba as organizations, but to enlist
the men individually and assign them
to regular regiments with American
troops and officers. Eventually regi'
ments composed entirely Of native
soldiers will be organized II is est.
mated that there are about 10, 900 Span.
ish soldiers who will elect to remain
In Cuba, and that a large percentage
Of this number will seek enlistment in
the ranks Of the regular army. is
also estimated that there are about
10000, Cuban insurgents who would
gladly accept service In the American
army. The authorities believe, how
ever, that more than 80, 900 men alto
gether will be necessary for the garri-
sons contemplated for Cuba The Gu.
bans first enlisted will be selected In
small numbers
AN OFFER TO RAISE THE MAINE.
Washington, Oct 29.--The Acme
Wrecking company, Of San Francisco,
has made q request upon the navy de.
partment for authority to raise the
battleship Maine. The company has
had experience in raising vessels on
the Pacific coast, and representations
have been made to the department as
TO its ability to accomplish the task In
Havana harbor. 1t proposes to blow
the mud from under the wreck by
means OF streams of water, and
then to pass under chains and
attach them to framework con.
nected with system Of steel
barrels These barrels will also be
placed In the wreck and utilized
wherever they can be made available
The company simply asks authority to
raise the Maine and bring her to this
country. II the government wants
the ship after she reaches the United
States, the company will want to be
paid salvage money through con.
domination proceedings. 1t Is prob.
able, In case the government did not
want the ship the company would ex.
hibit her in different large seacoast
cities Of the United States No money
Ia demanded from the government by
the company. 1t Is stated at the de.
partment, unofiicially, that in case
the company is found to be reliable
the authority asked will no doubt be
given.
DLANC0 COLLECTING DUTY ON CATTLE.
Washington, Oct. 20. Secretary Will
son brought up at the cabinet session
the fact that Blanco is still charging
$40 per 100 pounds for beef cattle GO
ing into Cuban ports controlled by the
Spaniards, while the United States Is
admitting beef cattle free Of duty to
ports controlled by American officials. |
The cabinet concluded that 1t has no |
power at present to change this state
OF affairs and that Blanco must bear
the responsibility. As soon as the
United States takes possession Of vari-
Gus ports, however, this will be
changed. Some Of the ports near
Havana will be opened to the free
entry of beef cattle and other things
and that may result in benefit to lIa-
vana.
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