The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1898-02-24
AWAITING THE CRISIS.
Everybody in Havana Feels That One
is APPROACHING.

Havana, via Key West, Feb. 24-At
an important meeting of the central
committee of autOnOmists, Senior Gown,
secretary of the interior proposed an
amendment increasing the committee
from 40 to 50. The Is new members will
be taken from emigrants to the United
States and insurgents of prominence,
who agree to support autonomy. The
amendment was adopted by a large
majority, Is among whom were reform
lists.
1t is regarded as surprising that a
Spanish resident supported the plan.
The company also nominated delegates
for the election next month. 1t is be-
Heved that the radicals will carry the
election and demand a. more liberal con-
stitution. The meeting is regarded as
the first political battle of the cam
paign and the results are highly i'm
portant, because if the insurgents de-
cline the extended hands of the autOn-
Omists in a constitution securing prac-
teal independence, autonomy will fail
in the eyes of the world and nothing
will remain except the Spanish flag
and what it implies. The query is then
what will Spain do next?
Gen. PandO after leaving Havana,
spent several days at Puerto del Padro,
province of Santiago de Cuba. He sent
emissaries to the insurgent leader Ca
pote to negotiate a surrender, PandO
having $4,000 for the purpose. 1t is
claimed that he has not been able to
find CapOte and that consequently he
went on to the city of Santiago de
\
where he arrived last Saturday. On
Sunday morning with a battalion of
fresh soldiers, he took the steamer for
Manzanillo to commence operations in
the field.
The Infanta battalion under Major
Pedro Rivas, left Candeleria, province
of Pinar del Rio on Monday to recon-
nOitre the MulO heights. No insurgents
were found until troops reached the
heights, when suddenly they were at
tackled by large force under General
Maria Rodriguez and leader Perico Diaz
and surrounded. A hot fight enSued,
Major RiVas was killed by shots in the
mouth and heart. The Spanish column
effected a retreat after considerable
loss. Its casualties in addition to the
loss of Major Rivas. were three officers
and As men wounded. It is believed
| there were others killed. The insurgent
| loss is not yet known, but was probably
small. The stories published in the
| Spanish newspapers that the United
| States naval officers at Havana are
i talking too much, are absolutely un-
| founded.
1t would be impossible to find men
/ more discreet. Even the men wounded,
! or unwounded, are careful what they
! say lest an indiScretion in talk should
| lead to serious action. OF course, 1t is
| recognized by all Americans that a
! crisis is coming, likely to be sudden
| when it appears.
| Captain Sigsbee's private letters have
| been recovered. His gold medal from
| congress and the diplomatic order OF
| the Red Eagle given him by Emperor
| William L, of Germany for his inVen-
! tions of deep sea apparatus have not
| been found.
AS an illustration of the want pre-
1 vailing in the immediate suburbs of
| Havana, it is said that during the last
! six weeks two hundred patients have
| died of priVatiOn at the lunatic asylum
| at Mazerra- In that period the auton-
omist mayor of Havana has given the
| asylum only $1,000. The former mayor
gave it $4,000 a month with far fewer
| deaths.