The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-03-20

General Gomez II possible, and to make
them a formal offer of autonomy accord
ing to the programme drawn up oy the
left or radical wing Of that party.
AS previously cahlcd. this offer In
cludes. in return for the ending of the
Instruction, The disarmament and dis
banding Of all volunteers: commercial
treaties 10 be concluded without Spanish
interference; q moximum sum Of $2.OoOWo
annually to be paid to Spain By cuba as
the latters nOmiral suzerain; no insur-
gents TO be shot or imprisoned on ac-
count Of the existing nsurrection, and
no insurgents 10 be sent as prisoners out
Of Cuba for future political offences.
The advices received here are in SUBJ
stance, that General Pando felt confident
OF securing the conference, while on the
other hand Captain-General Blanc0, Sec
retary COngosto, and the Spanish staff
officers Of high rank, and many radical
members of the autOnomist government
felt sure that the proposition being the
best ever offered and assuring practical
independence would be accepted that the
rebellion would be declared at on erd
and that consequently all excuse tor the
Intervention by the United states would
be ended.
Such views, however we're not held
when this despatch was sent by those
best acquainted with General G,mez and
his conrerees nor by the Spanish-Cuban
merchants, bankers, editors or Law yers.
the best class In Havana. The latter were
sure that nothing but the proposition on
Monte Cristo. tho granting OF an indem-
nifty 20 Spain, but absolute independence
for cuba would ever be considered by
L. Il. f.aff
In support OF the latter view it Is Off
cially announced that a failure OF the
efforts near ManizallO. only two privates
OF Ruiz bard surrendered.
It Is known beside that General Pando
in order TO advance his plans for the
proposed campaign IN Santiago De cuba.
greatly weakened all the trochas. taking
from them several thousand men and
much artillery.
II Is regarded as certain. in well-inform-
ed circles here, that Generals Gomez and
Garcia. after refusing 10 confer with
General Pando. or If they do confer. after
refusing the terms offered will take suf-
ncient cattle and provisions from the
comparatively well stocked ranches i'm
mediatey west and then inaugurate a
raid upon the province OF Matan2as, Ha-
vana and probably Pinar del Rio, operat-
ing near here within fifteen or eighteen
days. which is considered positive.
WHAT sPANIARDS THINK.
Letters received here from prominent
autonomists in the provinces Of Santa
Clara and Puerto Principe. have been
shown 10 this correspondent. The writer's
are not favorable 10 the United States.
They still cling to the theory Of autonomy
and class as false the assertions that the
Spanish soldiers are unpaid and unfed.
and living in towns while their officers
are conspiring against the autonomst
government and refuse to take the field. -
either denying the persistence Of the in
surgents or saying "let the troops who
are in favor of autonomy fight its bat
ties"
Other letters from the same source In
sist that all the plans laid 10 secure the
surrender of the insurgents have been
badly conceived and poorly executed
These letters add that only in isolated
instances have any Of the insurgents
laid down their arms and the in
surgent leader Masso. who surrender
er. IL IS still further asserted was pro-
scribed by General Gomez and vas IL
able to be tried by Court martial. while
of the 100 insurgents who surrendered
with him at Fomento, more than hall
were back with the insurgents within a
fortnight
The general opinion seems 10 be that
the Pando conference viii In any event
be the end OF autonomy and the most
sanguine assert that 1t will make the
intervention Of the United States impera
tive. Those who have this view claim
that the Intervention Of the United states
would be necessary 20 prevent outrages
which will disgrace civilization and also
10 protect American citizens In Cuba
Under the circumstances news from the
scene OF the conference is awaited here
with the greatest anxiety.
In spite Of Official and other denlals, q
,s believed that serious troubles fol
spain I'm Porto Rico are imminent and Il
Is asserted THAI the Spanish cruiser VIZ
caya when she iaaves Havana, Will go q
Porto Rico In order 10 strengthen th'
hands OF the government offcials there
Troops left Matanzas city yesterday &c
make a reconnaissance Of the Cuban
coast TO the eastern extremity OF the
island.
MISUNDERSTOOD.
Miss Clara Barton. after calling upor
Captain General Blanco. at his suggestion
visited the heads OF the colonial govern
mcnt. The autonomists treated her viii
such distinguished courtesy that she
broached TO them the subject OF the ailot
ment of lands 10 poor Cubans. engaging
10 furnish their houses from America
and also 10 superintend any colonies thus
formed. Miss Barton was told that tn
matter would be carefully considered
After she had left the officials they said
I'VE are Spanish does she think sh'
oon r,akaa XankeSa NJ Ma Her dc3lr.