The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-09-16
NO REAL HITCHEs.
American Commissioners Have Had
NJ TrnuhIe with Snnniarda.

No Trouble with Spaniards.
HAVANA Sept. IA, via Key West Fla,
Sept 15.-The rumors to the erect that
strained relations exist between the Span
ish commission and the United States Gu
bar evacuation commission absolutely
unfounded. There have been little incidents,
but no real bitches. For instance, when the
United States transport Resolute, with the
American commission on board, arrived here
on Saturday morning, she did not fire
salute on entering the harbor, but later she
fired the regulation salute when visited by
the British consul, who has been acting for
the United States. This action was COM
mented on at the palace in consequence
of which explanations were exchanged dur
ing the evening, with the result that the
Resolute. on Monday morning, flew the
Spanish colors in honor of the birthday of
the Princess of the Asturias, and at noon
the same day, when the Spanish flagship
Alfonso XII fired salute in honor Of the
royal birthday, it was answered by the Res
olute
On Saturday morning, shortly after the ar
rival of the Resolute, a shell exploded in
the ordnance park, killing two soldiers. The
local newspapers were not allowed to pub
lish anything in connection with this Incl
dent, so as to avoid msinterpretation on
the part of sensational newspapers. The
explosion was purely accidental.
Another little incident occurred on Sun
day. When the commissioners arrived at
the palace of the colonial government,
where their first meeting took place, they
were ushered into the stateroom, where, on
a table in the center, were displayed maps
of Spain and Cuba. The members of the
commission and staff removed their swords,
and, in SO doing, inadvertently placed them
over the map of Cuba, covering the whole
length of the island. One of the Cuban at
taches noticed this, approached the table
and quickly removed the arms. The incl
dent, however, did not pass unobserved ty
the others present, who have since COM
mented good-naturedly on the occurrence.
No Importance or significance is attached
to either of these incidents by the officials
here.
The true reason for the delay Of the meet
fngs is absence of instructions from Madrid,
which, although announced as coming on
the last mail steamer from Spain, did not
arrive as expected. The Spanish steamer
Alfonso XIII, which left Porto Rico for
this port yesterday, is expected to have n
board the instructions from the Spanish
government. The reason that the first for
NAL meeting of the commissioners took
place on Sunday was the understanding that
the commissioners must meet within thirty
days after signing the protocol which, on
Monday, would have been thirty-one days.
Two free soup kitchens in this city were
closed yesterday, and the closing of others
will follow. These kitchens have been dis
trbuting TO the really needy over three
thousand rations daily. Their discontinue
ance. based, according to the civil goy-
ernor's circular. on the assumption that dis
tress and want have disappeared from the
city, will have the effect of throwing thou
sands of unfortunate people on public char
ity. Beggars are again infesting the streets
and carrying filth and disease germs all
over Havana Immediate arrangements for
the distribution of the Comal rations, now
that the Spanish government refuses to feed
the hungry, is imperative.
The meat ring continues keeping the
price of meat at from so to 60 cents per
pound in spite of the protests and efforts
made by large and responsible firms to the
government offering to import cattle and
place meat on the market at % cents per
pound.
Hundreds os Spanish officers have asked
to be discharged from the army. They re-
fuse to return to Spain, where starvation
stares them in the face. Many of them
have formed classes to study English. hop
ing to succeed in obtaining commissions in
the United States army as soon as they
are proficient in the language.
1t Will be interesting to watch the course
pursued by the host of counts and marquis
es holding titles of nobility in Spain and
here. The aristocracy of Cuba are all Span
ish grandees, holding CastiIan titles of
which they are very proud, and which they
Will renounce with great reluctance These
grandees. who have been holding their titles
for generations. formerly owning vast prom
critics in the island, form the most rabid Gu
banism here. They will be forced to either
remain Spanish subjects and continue en-
joying the privilege of rank and title or
relinqulsh all claims to this honor and be-
come plain Tom. Dick and Harry. The
same will happen to long list Of Cubans.
widows and orphans Of Spanish officers,
drawing pensions from Spain, which is
thelr only means of support to-day. The
list of such pensioners foots up over 2OO0
The situation here may be summed up as
chaotic. 1t is impossible to tell exactly
what the future may develop, even regard
ing the commission. Its powers appear TO
be very limited, the members having to
submit every trife 20 Washington for con-
sideration before acting.
The mayor of Havana, the Marquis Esta-
ban. an autonomist. has sent a gift of a
magnificent saddle horse TO the insurgent
chief, Mayia Rodriguez At the same time
gifts were sent to him from weII-knoWn
councilman. A former aid Of General PAN
do has also presented a horse to the insur-
gent chief, Andres Hernandez. There is an
evident desire on the part of the Cubans
holding office under Spanish rule to concil-
late the extreme Cuban element, especially
in insurgent army circles. While these
gifts are purely personal, as between old
friends, the conduct of the donors has been
adversely criticised and commented on in
many official circles
THE ARMISTICE VIOLATED.