The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-10-22

government under General Blanco Spain
would have been in hopeless condi-
ton and would be forced TO surrender
its sovereignty and recognize the inde-
incidence of the new Spanish-American
republic.
But the plotters went further than this
which was necessary in order TO carry
out the scheme and TO secure supplies and
provisions. Enjoys were sent out from
Havana by General Blanco to all the
Spanish-American countries TO secure
their cooperation and aid and their rec
ognition OF the new republic as soon as 1t
should be declared by Gen. Blanco This
would insure the government Of BlancO
bellgerents rights, and was intended 70
be a means which would insure them
supplies TO carry out the movement Gen.
Pando, the most trusted servant Of Gen.
Blanco and the second in command on
the island. was secretly despatched 20
Mexico. and. like the other ambassadors
worked I'm secret and with a two-fold pur
pose. Whenever discovered it was shown
that they were endeavoring to secure sup
plies for the Spanish army and for the
suffering people Of Havana. but another
and most important part of their mission
was 90 impress upon the various govern
establish another Spanish-American re-
public which they would be in duty bound
to recognize
General Pando. who was incognito I'm
Mexico. was recognized at Vera Cruz and
several other Mexican cities. but it is
said that he nevertheless succeeded i'm
improssing many leaders of the Mexican
government with the idea that General
BancO would shortly proclaim himself as
Dictator of a new Spanish-American re-
public. Al the time of his return from
Mexico and his landing at Batabano he
was enthusiastic over the project and
believed that IL could be successfully car
ried out. simultaneously General Aide
Goa and General Puiol returned from
similar missions TO some Of the South
and Central Spanish-ATerican republics
with their reports to be submitted TO
General Blanco looking toward the exc
cution of their plot.
Following this came the Spanish defeats
on sea and land, and other returning en-
voys on this account reported lukewarm-
ness on the part of the governments 10
which they had been commissioned.
General Blanco endeavored to the best of
his ability and with the active co-opora-
ton OF all his lieutenant. TO revive and
continue the project, but the fact that
Spain soon afterward began to sue for
peace put an end TO the plan. Never
theless General Blanco protested against
the overtures and desired TO have the
war continued.
There is question as to whether the
plot was devised in Madrid, with tho con-
sent Of Senior SagaSta and the Govern
ment or whether II was purely an act of
treachery on the part Of General Blanco
and his supporters. The fact that Spain
began suit for peace after the fall of San
tiagO. and that General BlancO's plan was
thereby prevented from being carried into
execution. leads those who have discov-
cred the plot 10 the belief that General
Blanco and the leaders of the Spanish
army who wanted 10 prOlOng the fight
for their own individual benefit, HAD
acted independently. H)wever II is also
thought that General Blanco's intention
was ultimately. Il he could succeed in
establishing his Spanish American rcpub-
lie. TO turn II over 10 Spain, either by
purchase or otherwise, at the end OF
certain time.
A further part of the plot was TO reach
out after the republic had been estab-
lished In Havana, and conquer the re-
manning portions of the island held ny
the insurgents as fast as possible until the
island should be entirely reclaimed. Gen
eral BlancO and his supporters also Ia
bored under the belief that by revolving
against Spain and declaring an inutpen-
dent government, which should be himly
and strongly organized, they would geI
the recognition of their independence from
the United States. which the insurgents
had failed TO secure.
After the surrender the report was sent
out that leave Of absence had been given
General Pando by General Blanco. ana
that he was permitted to return 10 Spain
IL now develops that he was recalled Dy
the Madrid Government for the part ne
had taken in the plan for the mock rebel
lion General BlancO, when the facts
ostensibly became known 10 the home
Government, having made u appear that
General Pando and not himself was at the
$50 80 the nnovement.-New York Sun.