The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1898-10-22
BLiNCO'S BRILLIANT SCHEME
PLANNED A REVOLUTION ON Is
LAND OF CUBA.
Intended to Establish Republic and
Eventually Give the Island Back
to Spain-Why It Failed.

Chicago. Oct. H.-A special dispatch
to the Tribune from Washington says:
A story OF sensational nature comes
from apparently good sources concern
ing . plot formed in Havana by lead
ing Spaniards, including Captain Gen
al Blanco and General Pando, TO pro-
claim an independent SDanish-Ameri-
can republic in Cuba, which would
eventually revert to Spain, thus secur-
ing and retaining the sovereignty OF
that country.
The scheme was -cleverly laid and all
the preliminary steps were taken TO-
ward carrying il into execution. only
the destruction of CerVera's fleet foi-
lowed shortly after By the surrender OF
General Toral at Santiago and the
peace protocol prevented more decisive
action being taken.
The .1lan was that General Blanco
should proclaim a revolution in Havana
against the sovereignty OF Spain and
declare a SDanfsh-American republic,
with himself at the head of the govern
ment, and all the various leaders of the
civil government, the commanders Of
the volunteers and the Spanish army
were TO concur in the movement, and
ostensibly sever their allegiance to
Spain and be turned over bodily TO the
hands of General Blanco, under his new
government.
The movement was to be entirely
free and Independent of the Insurgents,
who were not to be recognized in the
affair to any extent, but only the strict
ly Spanish element was to be regarded.
With the major portion of the Spanish
army in and about Havana all sup
porting the new revolutionary govern
ment under Blanco, it would be seen
that Spain was il a hopeless condition,
and would be forced TO surrender its
sovereignty and recognize the indie
pendence OF the new Standardization
republic.
But the 9lotters went further than
this. ENJOYS were sent by General
Blanco to all the S0anish-American
countries TO secure their co-oDeration
and aid and their recognition of the
new republic when declared by General
Blanco. This would insure the govern
ment belligerent rights, and a means
by which supplies could be secured to
carry out the movement.
General Dando was secretly dis
patched TO Mexico, and, like other
emissaries, worked in secret with
twofold purpose-if discovered, they
would show they were endeavoring to
secure supplies for the Spanish soldiers
and the suffering people of Havana.
The most important and true meaning
of their mission was to impress upon
the various governments the sincerity
of The intended movement in establish
ing another SDanish-American repub-
lie. which they would be in duty bound
TO recognize.
General Hando, who was incognito,
was recognized at Vera Cruz and sew
eral other Mexican cities, but, it is
said, succeeded in im9ressing many
leaders Of the Mexican government
with the idea that Blanco would short
~ proclaim himself dictator of a new
Spanish-American republic. Upon his
return to BatabanO, Pando was enthu-
siastic over the project, and believed 1t
could be successfully carried out.
simultaneously General Aldecoa and
General Pujol returned from similar
missions TO some Of the South and
Central American republics with good
reports looking toward the execution OF
their blot.
Then followed Spanish defeats on
land and sea, and on this account other
returning ENJOYS reported lukeWarm-
ness on the part Of the governments
which they had visited.
General BlancO. with the co-ODera-
ton of his lieutenants, endeavOred to
revive and continue the PROJECT but
the fact that Spain sued America for
peace put an end to the plan. Never
theless BiancO protested against the
overture. and desired to have the war
continued.
There is a question as to whether the
dot was devised in Madrid with the
consent of Senior Sagasta and the gov
rnment, or whether it was purely an
act of treachery and traitOrism on the
part of General Blanco and his sup
Dorters. The fact that Spain began
suit for peace after the fall of San
tiargo, and that General Blanco's plan
was thereby prevented from being car
ried into execution leads those who
have discovered Lle plot to the belief
that Blanco and the leaders of the
Spanish army who wanted to Drolong
the war for their individual benefit had
acted independently. 1t was thought
Blanco's intention. If he succeeded in
the new republic, was to
turn it over to Spain, either by pur-
chase or otherwise. at the end of a
certain time. a further part OF the
plot was to conquer that part of the
island controlled by the insurgents.
General Blanco also labored under
the Authorization that by revolving
against Spain and establishing a gov
eminent he and his followers would get
the recognition of the United States
which the insurgents failed to secure. !
After the surrender of Santiago, il /
will be remembered that a report was
sent out that General Pando had been |
given leave of absence by General |
8lanco and permitted to return to I
Spain. It now develops that he was
recalled by the Madrid government for |
the part he took in the plans for the |
mock rebellion. Blanco, when the facts /
became known to the home govern /
ment, having made it appear that Pam
do, and not himself. was at the head Of /
the movement.