Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-03-31
Insurgents More Capable Than Ever
to Cope With Blanco.
SPANISH hope OF INTERVENTION
Belief That United States VIII
Help Suppress Revolt.
MR.. ATKINS COMES HOME

Special From Staff Correspondent.
HAVANA, March 30, via Key West, Fla,
March 31.-Perhaps in October Spain will
end the insurrection, if the United States
will aid in discouraging the insurgents.
This is the view of Spain's representatives
in Cuba as voiced semi-officially by Cap
tain General Blanco. 1t comes at a time
when statements are made that Spain is
getting ready to yield independence, through
the friendly Offices of the United States and
of the captain generals having instructions
to arrange an armistice with Gomez.
Madrid and Washington are much better
places than Havana for knowing what ne-
gotta ations are afoot between the two gov
ernments. 1t may be an agreement has
been reached which assures cary peace,
ano that all that remains to be done is for
the United States to smooth the way of
Spain in Withdrawing from the island. If
SO, that understanding has not yet been
promulgated here.
Insurgents Not Seeking Armistice.
Everybody in Cuba knows that the talk
of the insurgents seeking an armistfce is
humbug. That talk is meant for con-
sumption m Spain. Officials in Havana
think 1t is based on a proposition that the
United States enforce on the insurgents the
acceptance of plan of Spanish sovereign
ty. They have failed to make progress in
that line themselves, consequently this is a
kind of American Intervention that would
be welcomed. In spite of evidences that
this is impracticable, they cling to the no
ton. 1t Is what they mean by an armistice
and by ending the insurrection in October.
do not conceive that multiplied proofs are
necessary to show that the insurgents will
not accept anything short of actual inde-
pendence, even II forcing something else
on them is a part of American policy.
They were told in December that If they
rejected autonomy they would lose the
moral support of the people Of the United
States. Nevertheless, they rejected 1t and
have used up the winter months in demon
strating Spain's waning control of the ISL
and. They can use up the summer. months
in showing that they will have independ-
ence or nothing.
The administrator at Washington can
secure whatever concessions may be neces-
sary for an armistice provided it guaran-
tees the recognition of Cuban independence
as a certain result of such armistice; other
wise the struggle will go On as it has gone
on for the last two years. Some of the
Spanish classes may be suspicious that
Sagastas policy is being shaped toward
abandoning Cuba, but this is not the COM
mon view. Many still believe Spain will
not sell the island, and will not let go with
cut war. This belief is at the bottom of
the present calm. 1t finds expression in
many ways.
Resentment at Maine Verdict.
Resentment over the Maine verdict is
deep, but that will not in itself produce an
no Afoip iyooi fr fho
subject of which the government permits
fairly complete and accurate information.
News of what is happening in Spain is
suppressed at time when the Spaniards
in Cuba are most anxious to know. They
are restless. but are confident they will
soon know everything. They are also in
the dark about public sentiment in the
United States. Congress is their chief
fear. They look on Congress as a chained
monster, which is likely to break its chains,
and when once loose to cause havoc to
Spain's authority in Cuba. So If the ma
tional legislature will keep quiet it will
oa,lige many Spaniards.
If Congress votes any sum for the re-
lief of the reconcentrados and sends off,
cials to supervise its distribution the Span
ish classes will resent 1t, yet they will
hardly insist on the home government go
ing to war on that account. What they
fear most now Is direct Intervention by
the United States.
Return Of Mr. Atkins.
Usually the return Of single individual
to the United States Is not of consequence,
but when the sugar planter, E. F. Atkins
of Boston, goes back 1t is momentous
event. He will probably be in Washington
within a week, assuring Secretary Lsns
and the New England Congressman that
Blanco will be able to quell the insur-
rectlon by October If the United States will
do it's duty. Because, for good reasons.
Mr.. Atkins sugar plantation at Cienfuegos
was able to grind. he has been making reg
ular reports to Washington that the insur-
rection was dead. He is one Of the few
Americans who were relied on by Weyler
to defend the reconcentrado policy, and to
declare that the stories of deaths from
starvation were grossly exaggerated. As
late as December Mr.. Atkins was engaged
in this work for Spain. Now. under
stand, he is receiving supplies from the
American relief fund for distribution aanons
the reconcentradoe on his own plantation
Nevertheless Mr. Atkins will have much in
teresting Information about Cuban affairs
when he reaches Washington.
CHARLES NJ, PEPPER