Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1898-12-17
COMES AS A FRIEND.
Gen. Davis Assures People Of Pinar Del Rio Of
His Protection.

Havana, Dec 16.--Gen Davis. the Amer
lean commander at Pinar del Rio. has is
sued a proclamation saying President
Mckinley has directed him to assure the
inhabitants of the security of their lives
and property as long as they are orderly.
The general adds that the President has
ordered him to assure the people that the
United States mas no war with the Gu
bans and that, on the contrary, the Amer
lean troops come to protect their lives
and property.
Gen. Davis declares that fair taxes will
be levied and that no favoritsm will be
shown, and in conclusion says: "Inhabl-
tants of Pinar del Rio: | have come as a
friend to help you in all which may con-
tribute to the prosperity of this great
country or its general welfare. There is
very little | am obliged to do without
your cooperation. But with your help /
am sure of complete success. The trochas
and forts will DE turned into homes and
machetes will he used for labor only.
Your sacrifices and heroic acts have been
already rewarded in the past. 1t belong
to the history of the century. Think OF
your future peace and prosperity. This
must be your aspiration
The Mh Regiment landed, this morning,
and marched to the Tomados camp. The
Indiana regiment will march to camp. OH
Saturday. In reply to representations
made by the American commissioners.
yesterday, to the captain general, re-
speeding the indiscriminate granting OF
franchises by the autonomic secretary o.
pubic works, Col. Clous. upon visitin :
the palace, today, WAS handed the reply
of General Casteiianos. 1t consisted in Il
decree revoking the action of the auto
homie government complained of by the
n {.
captain general bases his decree upon tn :
fact that the franchises pretended t,
have been granted and advertised for
sale cannot go into effect until Spanish
sovereignty ceases. Gen. Castellanos has
also published "a decree pardoning all the
volunteers ol, wig are in prison.
The people of Havana, Spanish ard Gu
ban. long for American occupation: the
Cubans because they live in unrest and
fear, the Spanish residents because they-
are to stay here. after the Spanish sol
diers depart and they don't wish the Gu
bans to become embittered.
Gen. Arolas, the military governor Of
the province of Havana, is regarded by
the Cubans as being responsible for the
violent conduct of individual officers ami
privates. 1t is asserted that the feeling
in Arolas battalions is that attacks on
will not be punished. Captain General
Castellanos keenly regrets the disorders
which thave occurred and wishes that the
last days of Spanish rule here may be
his attention. The talk among the junior
Spanish officers and privates is that they
ought to mark their retirement from the
island by killing 500 or SO of the insur-
gents. They may be said to go about
with their fingers on the triggers of their
revolvers, and yearning for trouble.
Inc Clrbans in by-streets and in the
suburbs are often insolent, and further
trouble may not be unlikely.
sails for Key West, tonight, in order to
take coal on board. She will return, Sat
urday. Capt. McCullagh, the forlne.
ported to Gen. Greene a police plan TO-.
Havana on the same basis as that OF
New York, but modified by local cond1-
tons. The force will amount TO 1909 men.
A Cuban applied. today, to Capt. Chad
wick of the cruiser New York, for an
asylum on board that vessel. His re-
quest was refused and he was told that
if he felt Havana was dangerous to hun
he should go outside the city. The policy
of the American representatives here is
not to seek to intervene for the purpose
Of protecting Cuban chiefs in this city
but to send them out of town. This dis
pleases the Cubans.