Cottonwood report. [volume] (Cottonwood, Idaho) 1893-1901, 1898-10-28
SEND TROOPS 70 HAVANA
PROTESTS ARE OF NO AVAIL.
The Spanish Forces Violate Daily
the Rules of the ProtocOl-They
Are Removing Heavy Guns, and
Ignore the Commission.

Havana, Oct. 24-The American COM
p,ission have informed the Spanish conf
Pensioners that the American troops
would begin to come to the island during
November.
Friday afternoon the evacuation com
mission was informed that j. B. Hamell
was removing the guns bought from the
Spanish government at a sale held by
tie authorities, despite the commissioners
protests.
Captain Brooks was at once detailed
to the ARTILLERY depot to make an investi-
cation. When he arrived the command
ant of the depot attempted to prevent
Captain Brooks entering, claiming that
it was against his orders. but the latter
insisted, advising the commandment to
make q formal protest OF trespass directly
to the commissioners. Captain Brooks
reported that the entire purchase had been
removed, with the wagons and carriages
Each article was checked as it went ont.
The commission addressed note to Mr..
Hamell, warning him that the American
government would claim full right to the
property and would hold him responsible
for every piece removed. Yesterday at
ternoon the commission made further
protest against the dismounting and ship
ping from the island of the heavy Krupp
guns of the Reina battery.
The American commission is placed in
an unfortunate position. The Spanish gov
eminent, it is alleged, daily commits some
act in violation of the terms of the pro-
tccol or issues order the legality Of which
il doubtful, such as the removal OF the
guns or the sale of government property,
against which all the American commits
sion il able to do is to protest. which it
does regularly, only to see its protests
unheeded and ignored.
Guns Clearly Stolen.
As one of the members of the commits
sion said: eve can not go out into the
street and stop the guns being carried on
the road ourselves. We should have
troops or marines here to enforce our
protests. All we can do is to protest, to
which action no attention is paid. 1t is
the most extraordinary situation ever
known. In the teeth Of the protests of
cur commission the Spaniards first dis
mounted the guns of the Alfonso XIII in
the Santa Clara battery and quietly re-
turned them to the cruiser, and they now
announce that she will sail for Spain on
the 50th.
"These guns technically belonged TO the
fortress, where they were placed and
mounted and could not accurately oe con-
sldered as movable property. Next the
authorities had a sale of about 5000, 900
worth of brass cannon. which were dis
posed of despite protests, at less than half
their value. Matters have now culninat-
ed in total disregard for our commission
ers, in the dismounting of heavy Krupp
guns in the Reina battery for shipment
t. Spain"
Insurgents Are Troublesome.
In Genfuegos and Pinar del Rio there
is intense ill-feeling between the Cubans
and Spaniards, which gives rise to daily
disturbances. An Investigation into the
cause of friction has been ordered.
The Cuban chief, Juan Bravo, in viola
ton of the terms of the armistice. has
entered and occupied the village of El
Condador or Trinidad, dismissed every Of
fetal and appointed Others in their stead.
Another insurgent, +. M. Gomez, has
occupied Ova station. Pinar del Rio pro-
vince, leaving a company Of Cubans there
With soldier in command.
The military authorities of Santa Clara
province have forbidden that any food
be allowed to pass the Spanish lines un-
less accompanied by a special permit,
which it is very difficult to obtain. thus
not only increasing the want and hunger
in the Cuban camps, but also making it
difficult to send supplies to the sugar
estates and farms.