Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1898-10-18
SITUATION IN CUBA INTRICATE AND
CONFUSING.
MANY CONFLICTING REPORTS
PLANTERS DREAD TO RESUME
WORK, FEARING ANARCHY.
No Sugar Crop This Year or Next
Havana officials still Enforcing
the Rule AGninst Photo
graphs Showing Sann-
Ior That Rules.

HAVANA, Oct. IA prominent mer-
chant of this city whose name is necessarily
withheld, in an interview on the Cuban site
uation, said:
The delay in the evacuation of the ISL
and by the Spanish troops and the uncer-
tainty as TO the definite policy of the Unit
ed States which prevails here, together
with the different versions rs 10 the part
which will be played by the Cubans III
the coming occupation of Cuba, tend to
render the situation here most intricate
and confusing. The American commission
ers naturally keep their plans 10 them
selves, and nothing definite can be ascer-
tained by the business community, which
is most anxious to know something of the
future prospects OF the island.
Conflicting reports are also in circula-
ton regarding the policy adopted by the
insurgent chiefs. For instance. it Is as
serted that General CaliXto Garcia has
agreed 10 cooperate with the Americans,
and is exhorting the Cubans 10 lay down
their arms and accept the conditions i'm
posed by the Americans. But the friends
of the chief contradict these reports and
say the insurgent leaders are all earnest
advocates and unfiinching champions OF
the absolute independence of Cuba, and that
they will listen TO no compromise. There
fore, they add trouble is 10 be feared IN
that quarter. Indeed, some of the promi-
nent Cubans go so far as to say that any
deviation from the original resolution oil
congress- regarding Cuba will be met by
open protest and armed opposition, winch,
however suicidal 10 Cuban aspirations,
would mean much further trouble, loss Oh
life, privation and expense for the Ameri-
cans The climate periis are particularly
referred to as likely to cause consider
able loss of life among the Americans.
Whether from hidden motives or other
wise the Spaniards encourage the Cubahs
In these ideas, and il is claimed that the
Spanish delay in eyacuating Cuba mas
much TO do with this situation. The Span
iards IL is believed. would, in the event OF
hostiIities between the Americans and
Cubans, join with the latter against the
American forces
There is already abuse in the distribution
of rations and il would be well to stop
that work as soon as the Spaniards evac-
uate the island, for those who know Gu
bans best are well aware that they will not
90 TO work so long as they can obtain free
rations As It is, the planters dread to re-
sumo work fearing that the independence
of the island will bring about state of
anarchy There will be no sugar crop this
year, and the canefields viii be in such bad
state next year that no crop may be eN-
pected in 1899. .-.
one of the most remarkable phases of the
situation here at present is the zeal of the
Spanish officials to prevent the publication
at this late day of pictures showing the
squalor in which the poorer classes here eX
fist. Yesterday afternoon an American
named King was arrested opposite the Ho-
tel Inglate~ra for taking snap shot of q
group of children. The surprise which he
felt at his arrest was increased by the ex-
PLANTATION afforded him, which was to the
effect that such steps were necessary tc
prevent the publication of pictures which
would be regarded in the United States a:
illustrating the condition of the subject:
of Spain. Mr.. King, however, explained
matters and protested his innocence of an!
intention to publish the pictures, and wa:
allowed his liberty, after his name and ad
dress had been taken.
The day previous an American clergyman
Rev. Mr.. Thomas. was arrested by ofhcer
or board a patrol boat in the bay for taking
photographs of the wreck of the Maine
He was taken on board the Spanish cruise
Alfonso KILL. where he remained twt
hours Mr. Thomas was released after be
ing subjected TO a severe cross-eXamina
ton during which he proved his ignoranc
of the Spanish orders forbidding the photo
graphing of the wreck.
few days ago an American book stor
was ransacked, and its proprietors wer
arrested and fined for selling Cuban news
The American military commission heI
a conference at its headquarters in tn
Trocha hotel to-day. Rear Admiral Samp
son was present. Senor Giranta, secretar
of the Spanish commission, presented I
the American commissioners an official not
setting forth the times when the next de
tachment of Spanish troops VIII leave IN
island.
1t is reported here that many officers Q
General Gomez staff have received leav
ahs b,It &c af6el tbny have rpall
resigned. owing to serious trouble Wit
their chief. Ii is further asserted tha
the only staff officers remaining with &c
mez are Deschapel, q colored Dominican
and Marcos Rosario. Among those VIII
have left Gomez according to the repor
are DR.. Fernin. Valdez, Domh gueZ, hi
chief of staff: Major Boza. Surgeon Luca!
Alvarez, and Aidcs-de-Camp Tafei, Is
trampes and Molina. They say that sc
Inez. who WAS always bad tempered na
lately become unreasonable. making il i'll
possible 10 remain by his side.
The surgeon general of the Cuban arm.
DR.. EugeHio Sanchez Agramonte, arrive
yesterday at Santa Cruz del Sur frol
The cuban camp at Guanabacoa was vi
tied yesterday 10y over 100 people OF a
classes who sympathized with the Cuba
cause.
last decided TO charge the American mi
itary commissioners SEQ each for s
plans Of the city of Havana furnished
them at their request
The inspector of IailS ana prisons n;
refused TO sanction the distribution amor
the prisoners of the bread sent 10 II
places OF confinement owing TO its po
quality.
II is whispered around American hea
quarters that General Parade and Admir-
NanterOa, of the Spanish commission, 7
Gently admitted in private convcrsati,
their dissatisfaction with the result of Il
war, and expressed the hope that som
thing would occur before the final evacu
lion OF the island 10 warrant renew
of hostilities. as they are credited wi
saying the Spanish army and navy cou
not accept the humiliation which tn
have been subjected 10 without eI
phatic protest and opportunity Ia rehabi
tate themselves. which, the Spaniards fU
ther claim would he best afforded by
continuation of the war. This coGyers
ton. IL is further asserted. was repeat
later to Rear Admiral sampson who
said to have replied that two months me
of the war would have suited him 4
mirably.
The admiral. By the way. is deeply
fected and disturbed by the adverse or
icism TO which he has been subjected.
appears to brood over ii constantly.
Kansas Cattle Dipping Company.