Evening star., 1898-04-30
THE CUBAN CAPITAL.
Belief That 1t Will BE EstabIfshed
Mt or Near Mnianxaa


at Near MatanEas.
In high Cuban quarters the opinion pre-
walls that President Masso Of the Cuban re-
public and his cabinet will soon remove
from Sancu Spiritus, where they are
thought to be at present, to the neghbor-
hood Of Matanzas. with a view to estab
fishing the seat of the Cuban civil govern
ment at or near Matanzas. 1t is said, how
ever. that this will depend much upon the
instructions carried by Lieutenant Rowan.
L. s. A, to the Cuban commanders, and
the nature Of these instructions are not dis
closed. 1t is intimated, however, that one
of the first results is likely to be the trans
Ter OF President Masso and his entire cabi-
net 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 1t will give the
Cuban civil government most distinct
identity, and will advance the recognition
OF its independence. This independence
continues to be sincerely hoped for at an
early day by the Cuban authorities in
Washington, and they are anxious to as
sumo a more official status with the au-
thorlties here than they occupy at present.
Indirect Recognition of Cuba.
1t would not be surprising if a singular
complication over the Cuban flag, with its
five stripes and single star, arose at an
early day. Up to this time no occasion has
arisen for the recognition of this flag as
the emblem of Cuba, but it is said that a
condition may soon arise, and, indeed, is
likely to arise, by which the recognition
of this flag may be presented. Numbers
of small craft are plying between 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 Sampson
would adopt. Not being a Spanish boat
with a Spanish flag it would not be made a
prize. Under ordinary circumstances the
ship could be seized as flying a flag in de-
fiance of Spanish sovereignty over Cuba
but as the United States is also denying
this sovereignty of Spain over Cuba, and
is cooperating with the insurgents, 1t is
felt that the attitude to be adopted toward
this Cuban flag would be complicated and
might lead to an indirect recognition.
As yet. however, this condition is purely
hypothetical, although it has come 10 the
attention of the Cuban authorities here as
one of the circumstances that may arise
any moment.
COnscrIptiOn of Cubnns
Secretary Quesada of the Cuban legation
here said today that Gen. Blancos order
conscripting Cubans between the ages of
hfteen and fifty in the Spanish army showed
the dire extremity to which the Spanish
commander was driven. Up to this time,
Mr.. Quesada said, the Spanish authorities
have not utilized the services of a single
company or regiment, we'll knowing that
the Cubans were at heart devoted to the
cause Of Cuba and would take the first op-
portunity to turn their arms against Spain
For this reason the volunteer forces at Ha-
vana and elsewhere are recruited exclu-
sively from Spaniards. Mr.. Quesada 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 mil
itery authorities who are attached to Mr..
Quesada's staff in Washington. They rid
icule the conscription of Cubans for Span
ish defense. saying that the danger which
has kept Gen. Blanco from utilizing these
forces thus far will be doubly great now
that the Cubans are aware that the United
States has taken up their cause.