The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-09-17
THE RELATIONS
ARE AMICABLE.
Reports ofHitches Between the Cuban
Commissioners Unfounded.
SITUATION IN HAVANA CHAOTIC.
The Holders of Castilian Titles in Cuba
Are at Sea as To Their Future.
Spanish Officers Want to Quit
the Army and Join Ours.

HAVANA, Sept 1l.-V1A KEY WESI'
FLA, Sept l5.-The rumors 10 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 htcnes.
The Spanish steamer Alfonso MI,
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 nrst formal
session Of the commissioners took place
on Sunday. was the understanding that
the commissioners mus meet WITHIN
thirty DAYS after signing the protocol,
Sunday being The last day.
SOUP KITCHENS CLOSED.
Two Tree soup kitchens in tnis city
were closed yesterday and the closing oi
others will follow. These kitchens have
been distributing 10 The really needy
over thirty thousand ratious daily. Their
dlscOntinuance based, according 10 the
civil Governors circular. on the assump-
ton that distress and want having disap-
pcared from the city, viii nave TIE effect
or throwing thousands Of unfortunate
people on public charity. Beggars are
again infesting the streets and carrying
NTH and disease germs AL over Havana.
Immediate arrangements for the distrl-
button OF the C0mal ratiOns. now that
the Spanish government refuses 20 con-
tinue 10 feed the hungry, is imperative.
EXTORTIONATE PRICES.
The "mtat ring" continues keeping The
price Of meat AT from my 10 sixty cents
per pound. I'm spite Of the protests and
offers made by large and responsible
firms 20 the government. offering 20 i'm
port cattle and place meat on the market
al o cents per pound
Hundreds Of Spanish officers have ask
"a 10 be discharged from the army. They
refuse 70 return 10 spain. where starVa-
tion stares them IN the face. Many Of them
have formed classes 20 study English.
hoping 10 succeed in obtaining commits
sions IN the United states Army as soon
as they are proficient in the language.
II viii be interesting to watch the course
pursued by the host OF counts and mar
quisos. holding titles Of nobility in Spain
and here The aristocracy Of Cuba are
an Spanish grandees. holding Castilian IL
ties. Of which they are very proud, and
which they will renounce with great re-
uctance These grandees. who have been
holding their titles for generations FOR
mery owning vast properties IN the
island. are the most rabid Cubanists here.
They will be forced either 10 remain
loyal Spanish subjects and continue en-
loving the privilege of rank and title, or
relinquish an claims 20 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 SIS
their only means of support to-day. The
list of such pensioners foots up over two
thousand.
CHAOTIC SITUATION.
The situation here may Doe summed
up as chaotic.
It is impossible 10 tell exactly what the
future may develop even regarding the
commission. Its powers appear 10 be very
limited. the members having 20 submit
every trine TO Washington FOR considera-
ton before acting.
The Mayor of Havana, the Marquis
Estaban. an autonomist has sent "a gift
of a magnificent saddle horse TO, the in
sureent chief. Mayia Rodriguez Al the
same time gifts were sent TO him from q
weu-known councilman. a former aide
of General Pando has also presented a
horse TO the insurgent chief. Andres Her
nandez. There is an evident desire upon
the part OF Cubans holding Office under
Spanish rule to conciliate the extreme
Cuban element. especially i'm insursent
army circles
While these gifts are purely personal
as between old friends tho conduct or the
donors has been adversely criticised and
commented upon I'm many official circles