The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1898-10-22

hNcpuOAAcsB w men the De-
structfOn of Cervera's Fleet End
ed the War-Pando IN the Plot.
WASHINGTON, D. c., Oct. 21.-A
story of a sensational nature comes
from apparently reliable sources con-
corning a plot formed in Havana by
leading Spaniards, including Capt Gen.
Blanco and Gen. Pando, to proclaim an
independent Spanish American republic
IN Cuba, which would eventually revert
TO Spain, thus securing and retaining
the sovereignty of that country.
The scheme was cleverly laid, and all
the preliminary steps were taken to-
wards carrying ii into execution. Only
the destruction of Cervera's fleet, fol-
lowed shortly after by the surrender of
Gen. Toral at Santiago and the peace
protocol, prevented more decisive ac-
ton being taken, which would prob
ably have cost the United States many
hVeS, large expenditure of money.
and prolonged war before it could
have been checkmated.
The plan which Gen. Blanco devised
was calculated to maintain him in su,
premacy and the island in the control
of the Spaniards.
Gen. Blanco called into consultation
Gen Pando, together with his staff
and chief supporters, including the
leaders among the volunteers of Ha,
Vana, and discussed what was to be
done. 1t was only recently that the
plot, having failed after a most des-
perate and determined effort. was grad
ually revealed in various ways and by
different accusations among those who
had been most instrumental In its con-
struction.
The plan was that Gen. Blanco
should proclaim a revolution in Havana
against the sovereignty of Spain, and
declare a Spanish American republic.
with himself at the head of the govern
ment. and all of the various leaders of
the civil government, the commanders
or the volunteers, and the Spanish
army were to concur in the movement.
and ostensibly sever their allegiance to
Spain and be turned over bodily TO the
hands of Gen. Blanco under his new
government.
INDEPENDENT MOVEMENT.
The movement was to be entirely free
ana independent Of the insurgents. who
were not to be recognized in the affair
TO any extent, but only the stl-ctest
Spanish element was to be regarded
with the major portion of the Spanish
army In and about Havana and the
volunteers all supporting the new reyo,
Iutlonafy government under Blanco. il
would be seen that Spain was in a
hopeless condition, and would be forced
to surrender its sovereignty and recog-
nlze the independence Of the new Span
1sth-American republic
but the plotterS went further than
tElS. ENJOYS We're sent by Gen Rlan-
CO to all the Spanish-American coun-
lfles TO secure their cooperation and
aid, and their recognition of the new
republic when declared by Gen. RIancO
This would insure the government heI-
Hgerent rights and means by which
stppIleS could be secured to carry out
the movement
Gen. Pando was secretly dispatched
TO Mexico, and like other emmissiaries
worked IN secret with a tWofold pur-
pose.
If discovered, they would show thew
were endeavoring to secure supplies
Ter the Spanish soldiers and the sl1f-
fering people Of Havana. The most
important and true meaning of their
missions was to impress upon the va
rlous governments the sincerity of the
intended movement in establishing an
otner Spanish-American republic.
which they would be in duty bound to
recognize.
Gen. Pando who was incognito. was
recognized at Vera Cruz and several
other Mexican cities, but, it is said
succeeded in impressing many leaders
OF the Mexican government with the
idea that Blanco would shortly pro-
claim himself dictator of a new Span
tsh-American republic Upon his re-
turn to Batabano, Pando was enthusi-
astic over the project, and believed it
could be successfully carried out.
simultaneously. Gems Aldecoa and
PuJol returned from similar missions
to some Of the South and Central
American republics with good reports
looking towards the execution Of their
plot.
Then followed Spanish defeats on
Iand and sea, and on this account other
returning ENJOYS reported lukewarm-
ness on the part of governments which
they had visited
Gen. Blanco, with the cooperation
OF his lieutenants endeavored to re-
vlve and continue the project, but the
TACT that Spain soon after sued for
peace put an end to the plan.
ACT OF TREACHERY.
There is question as to whether
the plot was devised In Madrid with
the consent Of Senior Sagasta and the
government. or whether it was purely
an act Of treachery on the part of Gen.
c%AAN iiAo supporters. Inc fact
that Spain began to sue for peace af-
ter the fall of Santiago and that Gen.
Blanco's plan was thereby prevented
from being carried into execution leads
those who have discovered the plot to
the belief that Blanco and the leaders
or the Spanish army who wanted to
prolong the war for their Individual
benefit had acted independently. It
was thought Blanco's intention. If he
succeeded in establishing the new re-
public, was to turn 1t over to Spain
either by purchase or otherwise at the
end of a certain time A further mart
OF the plot was to conquer that part
Of the island controlled by the insur-
gents.
Gen. Blanco has labored under the
hallucination that by revolving against
Spain and establishing a government,
he and his followers would get the
recognition from the United States
winch the insurgents failed to secure.
After the surrender at Santiago 1t
will be remembered that a report was
sent out that Gen. Pando had been
given a leave of absence by Gen. Rlen-
co and permitted to return to Snain.
It now develops that he was recalled
by the Madrid government for the part
he took in the plans for the mock re-
beilion, Blanco, when the facts became
known to the home government, hav-
Ing made 1t appear that Pando and
himself