Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-09-16
NO REAL HITCHES.
SOME UNPLEAsANTNEssEs, THOUGH.
BETWEEN CUBAN COMMISSIONS.
HABANA SITUATION CHAOTIC
Food Problem SeriOus-Spanish OH
GERS Hope to Get Commissions
in Our Army-Grandees Troubled
About Losing Their Titles.

HABANA, September 18th, via KEY
| WEST, FLA, September 1.-the ru-
| mors to the effect that strained relations
| exist between the Spanish Commission
| and the United States Cuban Evacuation
| Commission are absolutely unfounded.
| There have been little incidents, but no
| real bitches.
The Spanish steamer Alfonso Kill,
which left Porto Rico for this port yes
| terday, is expected to have on board the
instructions from the Spanish Govern
! ment. The reason that the first formal
! session of the commissioners took place
on Sunday was the understanding that
the commissioners must meet within
thirty days after signing the protocol,
Sunday being the last day.
Two free soup kitchens in this city
were closed yesterday, and the closing of
others will follow. These kitchens have
been distributing to the really needy over
thirty thousand rations daily. Their dis
continuance, based, according TO the
civil Governors circular on the assump-
ton that distress and want have disap-
peared from the city, will have the effect
of throwing thousands Of unfortunate
people on public charity. Beggars are
again infesting the streets, and carrying
NTH and disease germs all over Habana.
immediate arrangements for the distri-
button of the Comal rations, now that
the Spanish Government refuses to con-
tlnue 10 reed the hungry, is imperative.
MEAT RING KEEPS PRICES UP.
The meat ring continues keeping the
price Of meat az from 80 to 60 cents per
pound, in spite of the protests and offers
made by large and responsible firms to
the government, Offering to import cattle
and place meat on the market at % cents
per pound.
Hundreds of Spanish officers have asked
TO be discharged from the army. They re-
fuse to return TO Spain, where starvation
stares them in the face. Many Of them
nave formed classes TO study English.
hoping TO succeed in obtaining commi--
slons in tho United States army as soon
as they are proficient in the language.
1t will be interesting to watch the
course pursued by the host of counts and
marqutses, holding titles of nobility in
spain and here. The aristocracy of Cuba
are all Spanish grandes holding Castilian
titles, OF which they are very proud. and
which they will renounce with great re-
luctance. These grandees, who have
~.
formerly owning vast properties in the
island, form the most rabid Cubanists
here. They will be forced either TO re-
main loyal Spanish subjects and continue
enjoying the privilege of rank and title.
or relinquish all claims to this honor.
and become plain Tom, Dick, and Harry
The same will happen TO a long list of
Cuban widows and orphans of Spanish
officers, drawing pensions from Spain.
which are their only means of support to-
day. The list Of such pensioners foots
up over 1000.
COMMISSIONS POWERS LIMITED.
The situation here may be summed ND |
as chaotic. 1t is impossible to tell ex- !
actly what the future may develop. even |
regarding the commission. It's powers |
appear TO be very limited, the members |
having to submit every trife 10 Washing |
ton for consideration, before acting
The Mayor of Habana, the MARQUIS Es- |
taban an Autonomist, has sent a gift |
of magnificent saddle-horse to the in !
surgent chief, Mayia Rodriguez At the |
same time, gifts were sent TO him from |
a well-known councilman. A former |
aide of General Pando's has also present
ed horse to the insurgent chief. Andres
Hernandez. There is an evident desire
upon the part of Cubans holding office
under Spanish rule TO conciliate the ex-
treme Cuban element, especially in in
surgent army circles.
While these gifts are purely personal
as between old friends, the conduct of
the donors has been adversely criticised
and commented upon in manysofficial cir
cles.