Arizona republican., 1898-05-06
THE CUBAN CAPITAL.
Belief That It Will be Established at
 or Near Matanzas.

Washington, May 5.-In high Cuban quarters the opinion prevails that President Masso of the Cuban republic and his cabinet will soon remove from Sancti Spiritus, where they are thought to be at present, to the neigh borhood of Matanzas, with a view to establishing the seat of the Cuban civil government at or near Matanzas It is said, however, that this will de- pend much upon the instructions car ried by Lieutenant Rowan, U. s. A., to the Cuban commanders, and the nature of these instructions are not disclosed. It is intimated, however. that one of the first results is likely to be the transfer of President Masso and his entire cabinet to the Cuban coast and the setting up there of a complete civil organization. One Of the advantages of this move, from the Cuban standpoint, is that it will give the Cuban civil government a most distinct identity, and will advance the recognition of it's independence. This independence continues to be sincerely hoped for at an early day by the Gu ban authorities in Washington, and they are anxious to assume a more
 
 here than they occupy. at present.
 It would not be surprising if a sin gular complication over the Cuban flag, with it's five stripes and single star, arose at an early day. Up to this time no occosaion has arisen for the recognition of this flag as the em- blem of Cuba, but it is said that a condition may soon arise, and, indeed, is likely to arise, by which the reccg- hilton of this flag may be presented. Numbers of small craft are plying be- tween Florida and Cuba owned by Cubans. If one of these raised the Cuban flag and approached the flying squadron the question would then arise as to what course Admiral Samp- son would adopt. Not being a Spanish boat with Spanish flag it would net be made prize. Under ordinary cir cumstances the ship could be seized as flying a flag in defiance of Spanish sovereignty over Cuba, but as the United States is also denying this soy- ere1gnty over Cuba and is co-operating 2 with the insurgents, it is felt that the attitude to be adopted toward this Gu ban flag would be complicated and might lead to an indirect recognition.
 As yet. however, this condition is purely hypothetical, although it has come to the attention ot fhe Cuban authorities here as one of the circum- stances that may arise any moment
 Secretary Quesada of the Cuban le- gation here said today that Gen. Blanco's order conscripting Cubans be- tween the ages of 15 and 50 in the Spanish army showed the dire extrem- ity to which the Spanish commander was driven. Up to this time, MT. Quesada said, the Spanish authorities have not utilized the services of a single company or regiment, well knowing that at heart the Cubans were devoted to the cause of Cuba and would take the first opportunity to turn their arms against Spain. For this reason the volunteer forces at Havana and elsewhere are recruited exclusively from Spaniards. MT. Que sada says the present move to raise Cuban conscripts will be futile, and that such Cubans who are forced to enlist under the Spanish flag will find an opportunity to use their strength in the cause of Cuba. This view IS reinforced by the opinion of the Cuban military authorities who are attached to MT. Quesada's s staff in Washington They ridicule the conscription of Gu bans for Spanish defense, saying that the danger which has kept Gen Blanco from utilizing these forces thus far will be doubly great now that tht Cubans are aware that the United States has taken up their cause.