The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1898-03-05
Result of Senator PrOctOr's In
YestigatiOns in Cuba.
Area of Agricultural DesOlatfOn
is Growing Broader.
THE WARSHIPS SERVE
To Make BlancO's Rule a Little
More Secure
Against the Weylerite Infiu-
enceS in Havana.
THE WARSHIPS SERVE

Havana, March 5-Senator Proctor,
who has been looking into the situation
in Cuba finds a condition ripe for medt-
alton, but how it is to come unless
Spain is willing, he does not know. In
common with others he finds grounds
for believing that little friction would
be experienced in Cuba in making the
arrangements. The senator has studied
the political complications in Havana.
He understands the embarrassment of
Capt. Gen. Blanco and the government.
He has also made a short trip into the
tobacco districts and among the sugar
plantations. He says it is his purpose
to do what he can at any time individ
ually, to bring the present destructive
state of affairs to an end. Senator
Proctor's observations will be thorough
and he will be able to inform himself
fully of what Cuba needs in the future.
The present need of the island is
peace and food for its starving inhabi-
tants. In some places in the interior an
improved showing is made because the
insurgents are permitting plantations
to begin, that heretofore have been idle
But this Improvement is local. Taken
generally the agricultural prospects are
growing worse and the area of deSOla-
ton brOadens. Moreover the people in
the interior are receiving none of the
American people. Distribution is Hml-
ted to Havana and the towns and vii
lagos close to it.
New York, March Spanish author
ity in Cuba is strengthened a little
against attack from within by the pres
ence of Warships says the Havana cor
respondent of the Tribune. They give
Capt. Gen. Blanco a means of repress-
ing internal disorder that has hereto
fore been lacking to the government.
The volunteers and the pOpulace, who
have been rejoicing over the coming of
the ships for the supposed effect on the
United States have not thought of it in
this light. They may see its bearing Ia
ted if they attempt hostile demon
stratiOn
But while Blanco is measureably re-
assured against attacks from his own
people no progress is made in prevent
ing assaults from without, nor are the
insurgents showing a willingness to
yield any of the advantages they have
gained. While recruits for the Spanish
army continue to arrive from Spain,
their coming seems to inspire no dread
in the insurgents, who are alike indif-
ferent to persuasion and to force. The
efforts at persuasion by the autonOmist
cabinet are proceeding yet it cannot be
said they are making progress. Gown
and DOlse dominate the cabinet, for it
is known they represent the Sagasta
ministry's willingness to make further
concessions.
The conservatives in Cuba growI at
this further weakening of Spanish SOW
ereignty, just as they growled at the
original concession of autonomy, but
they do not openly repudiate it. The
censorship is too strict to allow much
expression of opinion on their part.
What the intransigentes think, or what
they might do is of little consequence.
so long as the insurgents are not en-
PERTAINING the propositions which the
autOnomist cabinet is willing to make
on behalf of the Sagasta ministry
Gomez is in Santa Clara province, near
,Tr.r,A > to-
world, than he has been for months
His answer which will be a rejection of
every proposition that is not based on
absolute independence may be received
at any time. After that nothing re-
mains for Spain but the madiation of
the United States, on no mediation.