The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1898-09-16
HAVANA IS CHAOTIC
CLOSING OF SOUP KITCHENS GERM-DlS-
SEMINATING BEGGARS.
The Work of The Meat Riug"--The Ordeal
Awatirg the Grandees. Presents
to Insurgent Chiefs.

Havana, September II, (via Key
West, Fla, September 15.)-The Spanish
steamer Alfonso XIII, which left Porto
Rico for this port yesterday, is expected
to have on board the instructions from
the Spanish government. The reason
that the first formal session of the com
missioncrs took place on Sunday was
the understanding that the commission
ers must meet within thirty days after
signing the protocol, Sunday being the
last day.
Two free soup kitchens in this city
were closed yesterday and the closing
of others will follow. These kitchens
have been distributing to the really
needy over thirty thousand rations daily.
Their discontinuance based, according to
the civil governors circular, on the as
sumption that distress and want have
disappearcd from the city. will have the
effect of throwing thousands of unfortu-
nate people on public charity. Beggars
are again infesting the streets and carry
ing filth and disease germs all over
Havana Immediate arrangements for
the distribution of the Comal's rations.
now that the Spanish Government re-
fuses to continue to feed the hungry, is
imperative.
The "meat ring continues keeping the
price of meat at from soc to 6Oc per
pound in spite of the protests and Of
fers made by large and responsible firms
to the Government offering to import
cattle and place meat on the market at
25c. per pound
Hundreds of Spanish officers have
asked to he discharged from tho army.
They refuse to return to Spain, where
starvation stares them in the face. Many
of them have formed classes to study
English. hoping to succeed in obtaining
commissions in the United States army
as soon MS they are proficient in the
language.
1t will be interesting to watch the
course pursued by the host of counts and
marquises. holding titles Of nobility in
Spain and here The aristocracy of
Cuba are all Spanish grandees, holding
Castilan titles. Of which they are very
proud and which they win renounce with
great reluctance. These grandees who
have been holding their titles for genera
tons. formerly owning vast properties in
lists here. They will be forced either
to remain loyal Spanish subjects and con-
tinue enjoying the privilege of rank and
title, or relinquish all claims to this
honor and become plain Tom, Dick and
Harry. The same will happen to a long
list of Cubans, widows and orphans of
Spanish officers. drawing pensions from
Spain, which is their only means Of sup
port to-day. The list of such pensioners
foots up over two thousand.
1t is impossible to tell eactly what the
future may develop, even regarding the
commission. It's powers appear to be
very limited. the members having to.
submit every trihc to Washington for
consideration, before acting.
The mayor of Havana the Marquis
Estaban, an autonOmist. has sent n
gift of n magnificent saddle horse to the
insurgent chief Mayia Rodriguez. At
the same time gifts were sent to him
from Il well known councilman. for
mer aide of General Pando has also
presented horse to the insurgent chief
Andres Hernandez There is an evil
dent desire upon the part of Cubans
holding office under Spanish rule to cons
ciiate the extreme Cuban element, espe-
cialIy in insurgent army circles.
While these gifts are purely personal,
as between old friends, the conduct
OF the donors has been adversely crit.
cised and commented upon in many
official circles.