Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1898-09-01
GETTING TOGETHER.
A Cuban General and Gen. Lawton
Have q. Conference.
4 hitch over CERyERA'S men.
America Anxious to Get Rid Of the spanish
Prisoners IT Anna poils-Gen. Merritt
to DO 20 Parh-Agu,naid0
Losing His Grip.


Demetrius Castillo. the Cuban general,
who came in attended by two officers
and small escort to confer with Gen.
Lawton. The fact that he consented
to enter the town is looked on as prov.
ing that there is an agreement Of q
satisfactory character between the
American officials and the Cuban mill.
tary commanders. His conference
with Gen. Lawton occupied more than
an hour, during which various matters
relating to Cuban military organiza-
ton were discussed, particularly de-
tails for providing means Of subsistence
for the insurgents by levying supplies
from the country people, The ques-
ton Of disbanding the Cubans was re-
ferred to, but Gen. Castillo had no
power to come to any arrangement
In reference to this, both Gen. Castillo
and Gen. Lawton decline to make any
statement, beyond that the interview
had no special significance save a de.
sire to open up more friendly relations
than hitherto existed. Officers tell
me, however, that Gen. Lawton point
ed out to Gen. Castillo that the first
step toward the settlement Of the
province must be of Kidding the interi.
or Of the burden of supporting armed
men, the necessity Of whose organiza.
ton had passed. The interview was
Of the most cordial character through
out Gen. Lawton expressing a desire
to renew amicable cooperation with
the Cuban commanders.
A HITCH OVER cERvERA's MEN.
Washington, Aug. s9.-There is q
hitch between the United States and
Spain over the disposition OF Admiral
Cervera and his fellow prisoners at
Annapolis. Naval authorities are
anxious to get the prisoners away
from Annapolis as soon Is possible,
for the buildings will be wanted soon
for the use Of the cadets when they
return to'Annapolis at the beginning
Of the school year. This government
has proposed to release the prisoners
on parole, but Spain has objected to
this through the French ambassador
and wants the men released uncondi.
tionally. While the president and the
naval authorities don't think 1T prob
able that there will be a resumption
Of hostilities with Spain, they are not
satisfied to release the best officers and
men in the Spanish navy uncondition-
ally until after the final treaty Of peace
has been signed. The matter will
probably have to be settled some way
before the end of next week, as the
buildings at Annapolis must be put
in order for the beginning of the school
term. 1t is possible that the prisoners
will be removed to some other place II
no agreement can be reached as to the
terms Of their release, II is to guard
against possibility of hitch in the
peace negotiations that the war de-
partment is proceeding slowly in the
matter OF mastering out volunteer
troops The administration does not
suspect Spain Of bad faith, but at the
same time it is realized that some
trouble might occur in the peace nego.
tiations in Paris, or possibly the ext
gencies Of Spanish politics might lead
the Madrid government to seize some
pretext for breaking off negotiations
GEN. MERRITT TO 60 TO PARIS.
Washington, Aug. GA report was
received from Manila that Gen. Merritt
will sail on the steamship China to-
morrow on his way to Paris to attend
the sessions Of the peace conference.
No confirmation could be obtained last
night from officials OF the war depart
ment Of the report, but there are rea-
sons for the belief, however, that the
report is correct, although the war
department has not been advised vet
as to the exact date Of Gen. Merrtt's
departure from Manila. Gen. Mer.
ritt's instructions when he went to the
Philippines were to thoroughly famil-
iarize himself with the situation on
the islands. These instructions prob
ably were given him in anticipation
Of the peace conference. Since his ar
rival at Manila he has undoubtedly
gathered fund Of information that
will be Of distinct value to the Ameri-
can peace commissioners and the idea
is to have him attend the conference
In an advisory capacity. He will be
able to supply much detailed informa-
ton that 1t would be impossible for
the commissioners to obtain from any
other source.
AGUINALD0 LOSING HIS GRIP.
London, Aug. 9.-The Manila CORE.
spondent Of the Times says:
The situation, although undoubtedly rnsat-
lsfactory, remains unchanged pending final
settlement Aguinaldo proposes to remove his
headquarters Immediately to the large town Of
Manolos province Of Bulacan, situated on the
railway line 70 miles north Of Manila There
he will shortly assemble congress chosen from
the leading Filipinos who favor the insurgent
cause He further intends to send o representa-
tive to Paris to argue his claims for the estab-
lishment Of an insurgent republic. Manolos Is
an excellent strategic point covering q rice
and tobacco district, besides the route ia
blacnabato, where the Spaniards were for.
merly obliged to make treaty by which they
purchased . cessation Of hostilities. The
movement was probably necessary partly be.
cause Aguinaldo was fast losing his influence
In the province Of Cavite, where. the insur.
rents evidently expected % Be permitted u
| vcvupy rfunru c0nrrnrly WIN INC amernans
Considerable dissatisfaction is apparent among
| tue insurgent troops, and frank expression Of