The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-09-16
THE SITUATION AT HAVANA.
No STRAINED RELATIONS EXISTING
BETWEEN COMMISSIONS.

sundays Session Was a Formally to
Keep in Accord with the Peace
PrOtOcOI-Free Soup Kitchens Dis
continued and BegEars Infesting
the StFeets-Ment Ring Holding the
Price of Meat Sky HiGh-SpnnisII
Officers Asking for Discharges.
Many of Them studying English In
Hope of Obtaining Commissions ia
the United States Army.
Havana, Sept. IA, via Key West, Fla,
Sept 15.-The rumors to the effect that
strained relations exist between the Span
ish commission and the United States
Evacuation Commission are absolutely
unfounded. There have been little Incl
dents, but no real bitches.
The Spanish steamer Alfonso XIII,
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 commission 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 $4,000
rations daily. Their discontinuance based,
according 10 the civil governors circular,
on the assumption that the distress and
want have disappeared from the city, will
have the effect of throwing thousands
of unfortunate people on public charity.
Beggars are again infesting the streets
and carrying filth and disease germs all
over Havana. Immediate arrangements
for the distribution of the Comal rations,
now that the Spanish government refuses
to continue to feed the hungry is impera-
tive
The meat ring continues keeping the
price of meat at from so to so 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
refuse to return to Spain where starva-
ton stares them in the face. Many of
them fave formed classes TO study En-
glsh, hoping to succeed in obtaining COM
missions in the United States army as
soon as they are proficient in the Ian
guage.
Il will be interesting to watch the course
pursued by the host of counts and mar
quises, holding titles of nobility in Spain
and here. The aristocracy OF Cuba are all
Gpopfeb yrqDla4g bnIliner fFgctfli4n tff1ac
of which they are very proud, and which
they will renounce with great reluctance.
These grandees who have been holding
their titles for generations, formerly own
ing vast properties in the island, form the
most rabid Cubanists here. They will be
forced either to remain loyal Spanish sub
jects and continue enjoying the privilege
of the rank or title, or relinquish all
claims to this honor and become plain
Tom, Dick and Harry. The same will
happen to a long list of Cubans, widows
and orphans of Spanish officers, drawing
pensions from Spain, which is their only
means Of support to-day. The list of such
pensioners foots up over two thousand.
The situation here may be summed up
as chaotic. 1t is impossible to tell exact
ly what the future may develop even re-
garding the commission It's powers an
pear 10 be very limited. the members hav-
ing to submit every rifle TO Washington
for consideration before acting
The Mayor of Havana, Marquis Estaban,
an autonomist has sent a gift of a mag
niicent saddle horse to the insurgent
chief Mayia Rodriguez. Al the same time
gifts were sent to him from a well known
councilman. A former aide to Gen Pando
has also presented a horse to the insur-
gent chief Andres Hernandez. There is
an evident desire upon the part of Cubans
holding Office under Spanish rule to con-
ciliate the extreme Cuban element, espe-
cially insurgent 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 army official circles.