The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1898-10-22
As A DICTATOR
A Clever Plot of His Which Mis-
carried.
IN THE INTEREST OF SPAIN
1t Planned That He Should Declare q
Revolution In Havana-Peace Put
an End to the In
trigues.


A story of a sensational nature comes
from apparently good sources concern
ing a plot formed in Havana by leading
Spaniards, including Captain General
Blanco and General Pando. to proclaim
an independent Spanish-American re-
public in Cuba which would eventually
revert to Spain, thus securing and re-
tanning the sovereignty of that country.
The scheme was cleverly laid and all
the preliminary steps were taken to-
wards carrying 1t into execution. Only
the destruction of Cervera's fleet. fol-
lowed shortly after by the surrender of
Genera Toral at Santiago and the
peace protocol prevented more decisive
action being taken.
The plan was that General Blanco
should proclaim a revolution In Ha-
vana against the sovereignty Of Spain,
and declare a Spanish-American repub-
lie, with himself at the head of the gov
and all the various leaders
of the civil government, the IN
ers of the volunteers and the span
ish army were to concur In the move
ment and ostensibly sever their al
l~egiance to Spain. and be turned over
bodily to the hands of General Blanco,
under his new government.
The movement was to be entirely free
and independent of the insurgents. who
were not to be recognized In the anair
to any extent. but only the strictly
Spanish element was to be regarded.
With the major portion OF the Spanish
army in and about Havana all support
ing the new revolutionary government
,.nIar planrn ~ urnnld seem that Snqin
was in a hopeless condition and would
be forced to surrender Its sovereignty
and recognize the new Spanish-Ameri-
can republic.
But the plotters went further than
this. ENJOYS were sent by General
Blanco to all the Spanish-American
countries to secure their cooperation
and aid and their recognition Of the
new republic when declared by Cen
eral Blanco This would insure the gov
eminent beligerent rights and a means
by which supplies could be secured TO
carry out the movement.
General Pando was secretly dispatch
ed to Mexico and IL other emissaries'
worked in secret with a two-fold pur-
pose. If discovered they would show
hey were endeavoring TO secure sup
plies for the Spanish soldiers n the
suffering people of Havana. The most
Important and true meaning OF their
mission was to impress upon the vari-
Gus governments the sincerity of the
intended movement in establishing an
other Spanish-American repubhc
which they would be in duty bound to
recognize.
General Pando. though ~incognito'
was recognized at Vera Cruz and sew
eral other Mexican cities, but 1t is said,
succeeded in impressing many leaders
OF the Mexican government with the
- Dl.-aA .t#aaa11 Ghnrf-
ly proclaim himself dictator OF a new
Spanish-American republic. Upon his
return to Imtabano Pando was enthus-
iastic over the project and believed II
could be successfully carried out.
simultaneously General Aldecoa and
| General Pujoi returned from similar
missions to some of the South and Cen
trail American republics with good re-
ports looking toward the execution oil
their plot.
Then followed Spanish defeats or
land and sea. and on this account Other
returning ENJOYS reported
ness on the part of the government
which they had visited.
General Blanco with the cooperation
of his lieutenants endeavored 10 revive
and continue the project, but the rae
hat Spain sued America for peace puI
an end to the plan. Nevertheless Blan.
co protested against the overture anS
desired to have the war continued.
There Is a question as to whether Tn
Mot was devised in Madrid with tn
consent Of Senior Sagasta and the gov
eminent or whether II was purely al
act of treachery and traitorism on tn
mart of General Blanco and his support
ers. The fact that Spain began suit 10
peace after the fall of Santiago AM
that General Blanco's plan was thereo!
prevented from carrying into execution
leads those who have discovered IN
plot to the belief that Blanco n IN
leaders of the Spanish army who want
ed TO prolong the war for their indivlo
ual benefit had acted independent.
1t was thought Blanco's intention, II n
succeeded in establishing the new re
public, was to turn II over 10 spar
either by purchase or otherwise at IN
end of a certain time. A furtner par
Of the plot was 10 nqu that part Q
the island controlled by the insurgents
General Blanco also labored undo
the hallucination hat by revoltin
against Spain and establishing a gov
ernment he and his followers would &c
the recognition of the United state;
which the insurgents failed TO secure.
After the surrender at santiago
VIII be remembered that a report wa
sent out hat General Pando had bee
given a leave of absence by Genera
Blanco and permitted to return I
Spain. 1t now develops that he wa
recalled by the Madrid government 10
the part he took in the plans for Tn
mock rebellion, Blanco when the fact
became known to the HON govern
ment. having made IL apparent tha
Pando. and not himself, was at III