Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1898-10-29
BLANCO'S PLOT
TO SEIZE CUBA
Plotted Treason Against Spain IN
Its Darkest Hour of
Trouble.
THE PLAN WAS CLEvERLY LAID
South American Governments
Asked to Aid Him in His
Plans.
THE SANTIAGO VICTORY ENDS u
The Destruction OF Ccrvera's Fleet
Leaves Him No Hope of
Making His Plan q
Success.
THE PLAN WAS CLeveRLY LAID
THE SANTIAGO VICTORY ENDS u

sensational nature comes from appar-
emily reliable sources concerning q
plot formed in Havana by leading
Spaniards, including Captain General
Blanco and General Pando, to pro-
claim an Independent Spanish-Amer-
lean republic in Cuba, which would
eventually revert to Spain, thus secur-
ing and retaining the sovereignty OF
that country.
The scheme was cleverly laid, and
all the preliminary steps were taken
towards carrying it into execution.
Only the destruction of Cerycra's fleet,
followed shortly after by the surren-
der Of General Toral at Santiago and
the peace protocol, prevented more de-
cisive action being taken, which would
probably have cost the United States
many lives, u large expenditure of
money, and n prolonged war before it
could have been chcckmatcd.
1t is well known that General BlanCo
was from the first strongly in favor OF
prolonging the war against the United
States and the Cuban insurgents, and
had declared his intention of taking
the field himself at the head of the
Spanish army and meeting the Amer
lean forces in battle.
The plan which he had advised was
calculated TO maintain himself in SUI
premacy and the island in control Of
the Spaniards.
Plans Of the Plotters.
General Blanco called into consulta-
ton General Pando, together with his
stan and chief supporters, including
the leaders among the volunteers of
Havana, and discussed what was TO be
done. 1t was only recently that the
plot, having failed after n most des-
perate and determined effort, was
gradually revealed in various ways
and by different accusations among
those who had been most instru-
mental in its construction.
The plan was that General Rlanco
should proclaim a revolution in Ha-
rana against the sovereignty Of Spain
and declare a Spanish-American re-
public, with himself at the head Of the
government, and all of the various
leaders Of the civil government, the
commanders of the volunteers, and the
Spanish army were to concur i'm the
movement, and ~ostensibly sever their
allegiance to Spain and be turned over
bodily to the hands of General Blanco
under his new government.
The movement was to he entirely
free and Independent Of the insur-
gents. who were not to be recognized
in the affair to any extent, but only
the strictly Spanish element was to be
regarded. With the major portion of
the Spanish army in and about Ha-
wanna and the volunteers all suppol ting
the new revolutionary government
under Blanco, it would be seen that
Spain was in n hopeless condition, and
would be forced to surrender its SOW
ereignty and recognize the independ-
encc of the new Spanish-American re-
public.
Seeking BclliGcrcnt Rights.
But the plotters went further than
this. ENJOYS were sen 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
government belligerent rights and n
means by which supplies could he Sc
cured to carry out the movement.
General Pando WA secretly dis
patched to Mexico, and like other en-
miSsaries worked in secret with q two
fold purpose.
If discovered they would show tiny
were ~endeavoring to secure supplies
for the Spanish soldiers and the suf-
fering people Of Havana. The most
important and true meaning of their
missions was to impress upon the va
Tious governments the sincerity of the
intended movement in establishing
another Spanish-American republic,
which they would be in duty bound to
recognize.
General Pando, who was incognito
was recognized at Vera Cruz and sew
eral other Mexican cities, but, it is
said, succeeded in impressing many
leaders of the Mexican government
with the idea that Blanco would short
ly. proclaim himself dictator of a new
Spanish-American republic. Upon his
return to Batabano Pando was en-
thusiastic over the project, and be-
lieved it could be successfully carried
out.
simultaneously Generals Aldecoa
and PuJol returned from similar mis-
sions TO some of the South and Cen
trail American republics with good re-
ports looking towards the execution of
their plot.
Ccrvcra's Defeat Ends IL.
Then followed Spanish defeats on
land and sea, and on this account 9TH
er returning ENJOYS reported luke
warmness on the part of governments
which they had visited.
General Blanco, with the co-opera-
ton Of his ~lieutenants, endeavored to
revive and continue the project, but
the fact that Spain o after sued for
peace put an end to the plan. Never
theless Blanco protested against the
overtures and desired to have the war
continued.
Hon. John l.. Sullivan wants to re-
tain the Philippines. Why not send
him there to do t?