New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-02-07
A SCAPEGOAT FOR BLANCO.
ANXIETY TO SATISFY PUBLIC OPINION IN
MADRID.
GENERAL PANDo MAY BE SELECTED FOR THE
RoLE-WEAK OFFICIAL EXPLANATIONS
THE AMERICAN wARsHIPs IN
CUBAN WATERS.


lBT TELEGRAPH TO THE TRfBCSEJ
Havana, Feb. > via Tampa. Feb. 6.-The Gov
eminent is looking for scapegoat II one Is
found. the hope seems to be that Madrid will
be satisfied a while longer. and the present Sit
uation NAV continue. Nevertheless, the pre-
vaillng view Is that explanations cannot he
made which will be satisfactory. So much was
expected from General Blanco's continuous trip
around the island ard 50 little has come from
1t that the disappointment felt cannot be con-
cealed. The Captain Generals promise that this
month would bring peace seems to have been
taken literally in Spain. It not so here
The statement that the Captain-General was
On a trip OF inspection. engaged chiefly IN visit
Ing the hospitals. does not satisfy tho hopes
that had been entertained The Intransigentes
In Cuba may refrain from open demonstrations
OF hostility though they are becoming restless
What they Will do cannot be predicted with GER
tainty. but they are not hestating to spur the
Conservatives IN Spain to action, and this brings
the Government back TO the question Of the
scapegoat.
PANDO THE SCAPEGOAT. PROBABLY.
General Pando apparently thinks he may be
selected for that role The Weylertes are watch
ing their chances, ana General Seguro has re-
turned to the Peninsula ready to condemn
ern part of the island. Many things prevent
them from publicly deridlng the Captain-G Cen
era but among themselves they show ten
dency to annoy the Government by demanding
evidences of the peace that is coming. The
sick soldiers who are brought from the eastern
provinces to Havana military hospitals are not
evidence OF It. Their places will be taken by
the recruits from the Peninsula The Off
cial explanation is that General Blanco was on
q tour OF inspection around the island. This
might not have been construed into taking the
field had not expectations been raised OF inn
portant results by the Palace. 1t was the
Palace that gave the first hints Of influential in
surgent presentations and the weakening OF
the insurrection TO come from the operations.
These are an admitted failure. but General
Pando will claim that this is because Of the con-
dlton in which Weyler left the soldiers.
successful campaign cannot be conducted
with q starving army Pando's talk to his
friends in the confidence OF friendship is full
Of despair The knowledge that he may have to
serve as the scapegoat Is possibly the cause OF
this. Instead OF talking Of peace by the end
Of the month he talks OF the long-expected crisis
before that time He may be wrong. The same
talk has been heard before on the part Of high
Spanish officials but the given period has passed
without the OVerturnlng they prOpnesien Inc
Havan Intransigentes look for the first move
ment in Spain when the inability OF autonomy
OF the military operations under the direction
OF General Blanco to enforce peace is realized in
Spain. They expect the Sagasta Ministry will
be placed on the defensive. They are not fully
Informed OF what happens in the Peninsula, be-
cause the authorities suppress the Madrid cable
dispatches with unfailing regularity.
THE AMERICAN WARsHIPs
The doings Of General Blanco and the effect
which the explanations made for him may have
in Madrid occupy the public attention so much
that little is at present heard of the attitude OF
the United States. At the bottom. the official
classes and the army officers are rcsentful
as ever over the suggestion OF American inter
ventlon as a means Of bringing peace to the
island If they have their way. every proffer
Of good Offices would be refused. Some dsquiet
IS shown over the movements OF the warships.
but nothing in the nature of a hostile demon
stration IS tolerated. The authorities exert
themselves in that direction successfully News
of the different ships Is given fully. but
friendly comment is permitted. The visit Of the
Montgomery 70 MatanZas has had a good effect.
II IS a long time since an American cruiser has
leen seen in that port. The Same is true OF
Santiago de Cuba, which will be the next port
visited.
The novelty Of the Names presence In Ia
vana harbor has worn off, but the vessel con-
tinues 10 receive many visits