New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-04-01
CUBA WATCHES AND WAITS.
LITTLE KNOWN ON THE ISLAND AS
TO PENDING NEGOTIATIONS.
THE MILITARY SITUATION UNCHAHGED-GoME
AND THE PROPOSED ARMIsTICE-BIT-
TEPHEss DISPLAYED BY THE

Havana March 80 via Key West MaTcn ol-
Progress toward settling the Cuban question
cannot he reported from Cuba. So little IL
known here OF the negotiations between the
two Governments that even the most violent
among the Spanish classes disposed 70 await
fuller information Desultory fighting goes on
in the Eastern provinces with the usual dis
proportion. according to official reports. between
the number of insurgents killed and the num-
Der OF Spanish soldiers wounded. while the NOR
talitv among the horses continues heavy. This
is all there is OF the military situation on which
Spain might base the pretenson that her arms
are making hcadway.
GOMEZS ULTIMATUM
As to an armistice nothing has been done.
and General Blanco apparently. is able to do
nothing until he changes his methods The two
agents OF the Government who are acting under
General Pando's directions In trying to open
negotiations for the acceptance OF "amplihed
autonomy are still at n sugar plantation near
IIolguin In Santiago Province. They are try
Ing TO reach Calixto Garcia but content them
selves with sending out letters to the insurgents
camps. Gomez can be reached as quickly from
Havana from Holgu!n. He VIII receive
proposition for an armistice direct from General
Blanco under a flag of truce and In no other
way This is as we'll understood In Government
circles as among the insurgents. The oiilclals
will not admit that this stage OF recognizing
the begerency OF the insurgents has been
reached. yet there will be no communication be-
tween Banco and Gomez except openly and
| under forms Of war. Gomez. according 10 the
latest advlces from him. does not expect such
| an admission He seems to think the best
| method OF settlement which VIII have proper
regard for Spanish susceptbties Is through a
/ fccfo Frpm United
States lie has promised that any commission
shall he conducted TO his camp within two days
! after leaving the Spanish lines around Sancti
| Splritus I'm Santa Clara Province. But any ne
| gotiations either direct through the good
| Offices of the Washington Administration must
| be based At the outset on the recognition or
| Cuban Independence. No armistice Will be ar
| ranged that does not proceed from this start
| Ing point and no peace negotiations VIII be
begun except on this condition. Information
| on this point IL not guesswork. 1t is definite and
trustworthy.
LOYArISTS IN UGLY MOOD.
| Consul General Lee has SO far received no
ntimatlon that the negotiations between Span
and the United states have made progress TO the
degree that communication may he opened up
with the insurgents. II the peaceful cesson OF
the independence Of Cuba depended on the tenn
| per o, the Spanish classes IN Cuba II would be
defeated Their temper Is ugly one. Tho
report on the Maine disaster had been so thor
| oughly discounted in advance that its publica-
! ton caused demonstration here Neverthe-
| less. violent and passionate objections are made
20 Il, and ignorance IL played on. innaminy
minds 10 believe that the Andng Of exterior
/ ploslon was made hy the American Board for
the deliberate purpose Of giving the United
| Gr.aIn he "a
! hood that Captain Sigsbee and his officers were
! not on board IS repeated. This is n sample OF
the way Spanish preiudces are invoked. How
ever all classes recognize that the Maine In
/ c!dcnt IN itsclt g not going 10 cause war be-
tween the two countries
J The Irritation 81 The ultra-loyallsts shows
;selr IN another manner. The Conservatives.
who say they giving tho Government patri-
otto support because OF the aggression OF the
United states. are demanding that succor to
the recommendation be stopped. and that II aid
IS necessary which they profess 10 deny Il be
given hy their own authority. No heed VIII be
| paid 10 this demand General Blanco could not
heed It without further exposing TO the world
tho utter impotence ~ Spanish power In CUBA
and the inability OF the Government 70 feed the
starving population. American relief must con-
tinu.. not simply FOR the reconcentrados, but FOR
which will be without means OF support until
peace IS restored.
POLITICAL DIssENSToNs.
In the overshadowlng Importance OF the rela-
tons between Spain and tho Uaited States tho
quarrel between the AutOnomlsts and Conserva-
tives over alleged bad faith in choosing men,
bers OF the Spanish Cortes interests few
The Autonomists did take two Deputies which
| ba at
towns outside OF Havana the election officials
| seemed - think II their duty 10 count a reasona-
blv heavy vote Just as though Il had been cast
In some places II the Autonomists who. as
body. rcfrancd from taking part in the cleo
ton In other places the Conservatives stayed
away from tho polls. Nothing could better IL
lus,rate the paralysis ~ Spanish authority In
cuba than the absolute Indifference shown to
this election Some Of the Deputies chosen do
not expect an opportunity TO serve will ever
| come 10 them. They are being sarcastically ad-
| v,sed 10 stand as candidates for the Cuban Con-
| yress next month because the Insurgents may
| be willing that members then chosen shall serve
under the Cuban Republic
Many Americans are leaving Havana by the
steamers this week. but 1t is not because OF a
fear of Immediate hostilities. The larger por-
ton ~ them are naturalizcd Cubans and their
families When the situation most threat
ening they were advised to make their arrange
ments FOR departure. A change TO more pacific
| tone has not altered their opinions. General
Lee is not officially advising anybody to leave
Havana. but he is not urging on those who
want to go that they should remain.
FIRST NAVAL BATTALION'T INSPECTION
| ONLY ONE MAN ABSENT. AND HE WAS SENT
HOME Ill.
The regular annual inspection or tho lst Bat
| TALON OF the New York State Naval Reserves
| held on board the traning-ship wHampshirc.
at East Twenty eighth-st.. last night Inspector
General Hoffman, assisted by Colonel Greene. made