New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-04-12

primarily attributed TO group OF Spanish officers
who were incensed ~ articles appearing in three OF
the newspapers Of Havana. FL Reconcenirado.'
La Discussion and III Dlario de Ia Marina The
first was very pronounced against General Wey-
Ter and his methods. The Discussion had been
suppressed ny Weylcr but It's publication was per-
mitted 20 he resumed by Banco AM the last had
been an ultra-Spanlsh organ. but had been con
verted by the present authorities TO autonomy. 1t
is probable that tho Spanish officers were first
provoked by the denurciatons Of Weyer in the
columns Of one Of these papers and determined 10
stop IT, and afterward. being supported by the mob
turned the demonstration into anti-autonomistic
affair.
II send to-day an analysis Of the autonomistic
plan. The intense opposition 70 II on the part 81
the spaniards arises from the fact that the first
appointments Of the officers 10 put into form It's
provisions were made generally outside Of their
party in order 10 show the Cuhans IN arms that
autonomy instituted for their benefit and pro-
lection. The intelligent spanarls
prosperity IN the future. but rather other
wars and more confusion In the same old attempts
70 make the waters Of commerce flow IN unna tur"l
channels. The lower Spanish classes have nothing
IN mind when autonomy Is mentioned except cuban
local rule hence their opposition
On January p General Lee transmitted copy
Of The decree which established the autonomic
regime the island Of Cuba. From January Is 10
January % he reported by cable daily that all was
qulei in Havana and that the recent rctinG had
caused soma delays. hu, that difficulty was APP
pretended as 20 he landing Of supplies.
on February he reported the receipt OF money
from various sections OF the United States FOR re-
lief purposes and the maner in which It was being
distributed
on February 10 he telegraphed the State Depart
fnent as follows:
Captain General returned yesterday. Met with
no success Of any sort. spaniards everywhere un-
friendly. Rumors OF coming demonstration against
him here | thinA him excellent man, but IN
an unfortunate position Three serious combets
reported within a week: In each insurgents Vic
torious."
AWFUL. CONDITIONS NEAR HAVANA.
The same day he sent TO the stnte Department
a statement Of the condition IN the towns In the
neighborhood OF the city Of Havana made by n
person he had TO those places FOR the purpose
Of inspecting Tho number and condition % tha
starving The statement covers four towns In the
neighborhood Of Havana and IS largely a repetition
Of the awful tale Of suffering which came from the
other parts ~ the island. At Molena del sur the
statement snys. Il impossible for the Mayor.
owing 10 the unheai'hiul conditions prevailing ana
the want OF resources. 20 relieve the miserable
people who die IN great numbers from starvation.
fever and smallpox There other towns In ~"
same cond!tion-tor example. Gulncs. Catalina and
Nadruga. whose situation could be IN some degree
relieved Il the country people were allowed to leave
the town freely f. search Of food. in some towns
this is entirely prohibited. In others they ara
obliged 10 pay a tax Not having anything to en-.
how can they pay tax? In every town the Hrs'
thing noticed Is the unhealthy condition Of the
men and their total mex Of physical strength"
At Catalina de Gunes the statement reported
the condition OF the recon centrados NJ sad and
desperate There were Il said. no zones Of cult
vation" and the reconcen;rados were not allowed
TO leave the town in search o, work or food. even
o. a
must walk four I've miles before nndlns a
sweet potato In these districts the relief given
20 the recommendations by General Blanco ia a
farce"
Tho land near tho town comprised in tho zone
FOR cultivation ;he statement said. had been
rented By four spanisrds who hai wealth and IN
nuence and they employed the few reconcentrados
who were able 20 work at 20 or 20 cents a day,
hut nobody could leave the town without a pass
good FOR n month which cost - cents Tho work
men had 20 start al O'Clock IN the morning. and.
not being able take meals with them. were
obliged work until IN the evening without
food The women who went IN search q vege'a
bles were ,ometmes deprived Of them on their
way hack by g,ie-illas L. HTc"n day- two hun
cred reconccntrados had t'sd IN Guines from starv-
alton.
"One OF the few protectors o. tho rcconcentrnioe
tn fact n heroic one" says me statement, Is
young man named Jose Amohedo. whose father
and mother fiel Attending tnN hNl4f44i'h b''' az
who himself has given up eight houses belonging
10 him as dwelling places Tor the recommendation.
all the contents Of grocery store which no pos
sessed and who 4. as destitute they are. bu;
always attending to those who suffer
GOMEZ THANKS MKINLEY
N, February y General IL. transmitted 20 the
pepar.men, letter with rs translation. signed ny
the insu-gent comrnanderin chief. General Gomez.
| anc addressed 20 President Mckinley. G"D-ral Lee
savs tho letter WAS delivered by messenger who
a, once departed before :he Genera saw or had
anv communication WITH him Tho letter. IS trans
lated. follows.
ITO William Mckinley President Of TIE United
States
Sir The heroic Cuban people possess a. a
! Characteristic quality q e, moral being. and Dc
veloped 20 a high degree. one % me most noble
continents namely gratitude whoever has done
well FOR cuba wins Tor himself forever the Nve'y
/ recognition OF the sons % Cuban soil
your great people have given 20 the whole world
/ m example - lofty virtue and. - TIE shame and
| stain Of Spain. not only has g. shown compassion
/ before the great rrsfortunes brought on cuba hy
! tho ferocious Spanish policy. but has extended a
! helping hand 20 the unhappy victims Of The war
! faro carr.ed on by the army Of that nation. The
gratitude q This people must be par with that
| great and generous impulse. and Y cuba by ~
eeographlcal situation and the necessity Of rs com
rncrclol existence IS called 20 maintain once thai
{, e. free and FOR the mutual henent %: both coln
tries closer relations with your great RopGbli
than with any other nation whatever. from this
/ dav forward cuba vii consider herself bound by
closer tie in the affection It bears FOR the noble
/ American maRnanlmity.
"Hoyeyer true and minute may be TIE report
ina, Won have heard never viii you Doe able %
,.rrn a fast conception O; all the boodshed. the
misery the ruin and The sorrow caused 10 The
cr,c,cd Cubars. to obtain her independence an,
ho, the dcspoilc spirit Of spain. iTritatcd 10 ~