The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1898-09-29
Their Secret Removal
Causes Surprise.
vANDALS VISIT NICHE.
Wholesale Release OF Prisoners by
Colonial Cabinet.
GEN. BLANCO SIGNS THE DECREE

Havana, Sept 29.-Mystery andlsecrecy
Spanish government. Especially was
this the case I'm exhuming the remains OF
Columbus. and this fact has caused
much unfavorable comment and given
rise 10 grave rumors which, though un-
confirmed, appear to have some founda-
tion, as there has been no attempt at
. denial from any source. The removal
of the remains, which should certainly
have been a public ceremony. was veiled
in the deepeR mystery, and was effected
behird the closed doors Of the cathedral,
which were guarded by an armed force.
Few of the authorities were present, the
names of those to attend being
handed to the chief OF police the night
before In General Banco's handwrit-
ing. The chief OF police suggested that
comme nts would be made by the press
upon the secrecy OF the proceedings. and
asked whether IL would not be advisable
to allow representative of newspapers
TO be present. To this General Blarco
emphatically refused TO accede, telling
the chief OF police to limit himself ex-
clusively to the list Of guests which had
been handed 10 him.
II has leaked out from an almost au-
thoritative source that the remains OF
the discoyerer are not in exactly the
same condition as when they were placed
In the niche. When the body was placed
in the mausoleum a small casket was
enclosed, containing coins, gold and sill
ver medals. precious stones and rolls of
parchment. as was then the custom upon
ha of n nj ha
tbs casket has been tampered with and
filled OF it's contents. and further rumors
say that only portions OF the remains
are left. Gossip, scandal and specula-
tIon are rife. A quasi official explana-
tion is to the effect that secrecy was
given TO the ceremony because cable
dispatch received here reported that
General Toral had been murdered in
Madrid the day before. and fears We're
entertained that disorders might occur
IL the public and military came together
I'm great numbers. Some OF the more
rabid Spaniards say that the whole cere-
mony was a farce. the Washington gov
eminent havlrg objected to the removal
of the remains.
The colonial cabinet Is making
record worthy of its Spanish predeces-
criminals lately by the colonial secretary
Mas caused great sensation. The case
which caused the greatest revulsion OF
popular sentiment is that of Florentine
Villa, who was serving sentence at
Ceuta for murder committed four years
ago which al the time caused an immense
sensation owing to the circumstances
surrounding the crime. His pardon
Il l.
that the Madrid government cabled to
the colonial cabinet demanding to know
the reasons on which the pardon was
bassd. Criminals Of the deepest dye
sente need for the most horrible and in
human crimes are daily pardoned. This
causes the greatest fears in every rank
OF society, and distrust and apprehension
as TO the future more than any other
agency, and reacts in favor OF annexa-
tion by the United States, as the first
step in the direction of autonomy men
aces the preservation Of the law and order
by turning criminals upon the COM
munity.
General Banco has signed a decree
releasing all political prisoners confined
in the fortresses of the island but the
edict has not yet been published.
General Aguirre, military governor Of
the province of Santa Clara. has had a
conference with General Blanco at the
palace to consider the action TO be taken
regarding the interior volunteer troops
who refuse to disband and lay down their
AIMS until all their arrears Of pay she'll
have bsen settled. The result OF the
meeting is not known, but as the Madrid
government opened more credit for Cen
eral Blanco Of 1000. 600 pesos for.the set
element Of such claims and TO pay the
officers Of the r gular army, IL is sup
posed that Aguirre was assured that
the men would be paid promptly.
The scandalous Irregularities Of the
meat trust continue to such an extent
that many booths in the public mark is
are sellirg meat which has reached an
advanced stage Of decomposition The
matter has been called to the attention
OF the health board, but no action has
been taken 10 prevent the continuance
OF the abuse which endangers the life
of the entire community.