Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1898-02-24
CRISIS SURELY COMING.
All Parties in Havana Feel that II is Close at
Hand.
AUT0N0MlSTS PLAYING THEIR LAST CARD
II the Rebels Refuse this Offer, Autonomy
Is Doomed-failure OF Gen. Pando-
Insurgents Win Another Battle.

ildNullst, reD. ST. III hey west J.
At an important meeting of the central
committee of autonomists, Senior GOWN
secretary of the interior. proposed an
amendment increasing the committee
from 40 to 50. The IS new members viii
be taken from emigrants to the United
States and insurgents of Prominence
who agree to support autonomy. The
amendment was adopted by large
majority, among whom We're 10 re-
formists.
1t is regarded as surprising that
Spanish resident supported the plans
The committee also nominated dele
gates for the election next month. 1t
is believed that the radicals will carry
the election and demand a more liberal
examination.
The meeting is regarded as the first
political battle OF the campaign. and
the results are highly important be-
cause If the insurgents decline the ex-
tended hands OF the autonomists in n
constitution securing practical indie
pendence, autonomy will fail in the
eyes of the world and nothing will re-
main except the Spanish flag and what
1t implies.
The question is. then, what will
Spain do next.
zen IalluO, HIter leaving iihNara
spent several days at Puerto del Padre,
province of Santiago de Cuba, He sent
emlssuries to the insurgent leader Ca
pote to negotiate n surrender, Pando
having $4,000 for the purpose 1t is
claimed that he has not been able to
find Capote and that consequently he
went on to the cities of Santiago de
Cuba, Manzanillo and Santa Cruz. ar
rived at the latter place last Tuesday.
With battalion of soldiers he took
the steamer for Manzanillo to COM
mence operations irthe field.
The infanta battalion under Major
Pedro Rivas, left Candelaria province
of Pinar del Rio on Monday to reconnio-
ter the MuloHeichts. No Insurgents were
found until the troops reached the
heights, when suddenly they were at
tackled by a large force under Gen.
Maria Rodriguez and Leader Perico
DiaZ, and surrounded.
hot fight ensued. Major Rivas was
killed by shots in the mouth and heart.
The Spanish column effected retreat
after considerable loss. Its casualties.
In addition to the loss of Major Rvas,
were four officers and As men wounded
II is believed there We're others killed.
The insurFent loss Is not yet known,
but was probably small.
The stories published in the Spanish
newspapers that the United States nav
nj officers at Havana are talking too
much are absolutely unfounded. 1t
would be Impossible to find more dis
leans that crisis is oonifs,y, likely to
tain to cadet. Even the men, the
wounded or unwounded, are careful
what they say lest an indlscretion in
talk should lead to serious action. OF
course 1t is recognized by all Amer
leans that crisis is coming, likpely to
be sudden when 1t appears.
Captain Sigsbee's private letters have
been recovered. His gold medal from
Congress, and the diplomatic order of
the Red Eagle. given him by Emperor
William ], of Germany. for his inven-
lions of deep sea apparatus. have not
been found. But many other relies and
gifts have been recovered from the cap
tain's cabin, which being in the part
of the ship not blown up the divers are
able to explore effectualy. 1t is hoped
that the three pieces Of silver given the
ship by the state of Maine will be re-
covered. as Captain Sigsbee can direct
the diver to their locality.
As an Illustration of the want pre-
vailing in the immediate suburbs of
Havana 1t is said that during the last
six weeks 200 patients have died of
privation at the lunatic asylum at
Mazerra. In that period the autonomist
mayor of Havana has given the asylum
only $1,000. The former mayor gave 1t
$4,000 month, with far fewer deaths.