Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1898-08-04
SANTIAGO In FEAR.
A Panicky Feeling Prevailing In
Business Circles in the City.
THEY ARE IN DREAD OF CUBAN RULE
Inc Work Of Cleaning the City Being
fushed-A Despairing Feeling In Ha-
v"hA at the Prospect Of u Famine
Wild Rumors Afipat.


icky feeling prevails in business circles
here, owing to fear that the Ameri.
cans will turn the city over to the Gu
bans for sef-government No conf.
dence exists. owing to the uncertainty
OF the future. Orders that were given
during the first days OF The American
occupation rave been c0untrrmandcd
by cable. European merchandise on
through bills OF ladur via New York
has been ordered unshjppea aud sold
IN New York. even at sacrifice. TIE
same feeling extends to the Cuban
merchants themselves, who seem to
have lost faith in the ability OF tne.r
own people to control affairs. The
rebels demand independence; but the
better classes, the merchants and land
owners dread such a possibility and
fervently hope that the United States
Will retain the reins of government in
the island, as the only guarantee of
oo"oiilVy VI prosperity.
Senior Julian Cendoja, agent Of the
Ward line of steamships, says 100
Spanish merchants have applied for
cabin and baggage room on the return
trip OF the steamer Philadelphia,
which was expected yesterday, and
they will leave the city unless there is
some assurance from the American
government that it intends to control
the administration of public affairs in
Cuba. This is the question uppermost
in everybody's mind. Spanish, foreign
ers and natives are all alike anxious
for definite expression from Wash.
ington Of the policy Of the United
States with regard to Cuba, and until
the expression is made no resumption
OF trade or commerce can be expected
In Santiago, where, to-day, both are
in demoralized and chaotic state.
The work of cleaning the city is be.
ing pushed with great activity Over
200 carts are employed in transporting
to the outskirts of Santiago the dirt
and refuse removed from the houses.
The work, however, will take some
time, as before every house door lies a
great pile of rubbish, which has been
dumped into the street by Gen. Woods
orders. The rubbish is being collected
and burned in huge bonfres.
Maj. Gen. Shafter is DESTROYS that it
should be known that the United
States war department has in no way
interfered with the conduct OF the
campaign. The general adds that he
was never hampered by the war de.
partment and that if the campaign in
this vicinity had failed the fault would |
have been all his own. The depart
ment's only participation in the opera
lions was in ratifying the terms Of the
Spanish surrender. Gen. Shafter has
that these statements be
in view of the fact that the
war department had been criticised for
faulty management.
The American commander has au.
Shorized the Spanish officers who COM
handed the troops that came to Santi-
lgo during the siege from Manzanillo
20 send for their wives and families,
n order that they may be able to take
hem back to Spain at the govern.
nents expense. In all there are about
80 women and children.
WILD RuMoRs AFLoAT IN HAVANA.
London, July 30. 1.-The Havana cor
of the Times in a letter
lated June 10 prints a terrible picture
If the despair that is falling upon the
ity in the absence of news from the
outside world, in the face of the ad.
'ancing prospect of famine and in
he daily watching for the Spanish
leet, which never came. 1t saws:
Wild rumors are ailoat The more timid
eople imagine all kinds of disaster and fore
ell terrible things WHILE always few miles
fl and steaming to and fro, are the vessels Of
he blockading feet with the intention to
tarve Havana into submission. for that appa-
emily is the safe and certain, II not the very
eroic, American plan The attitude of the
opulation under calamity is indeed admirable,
S is also that Of the troops, despite the alb
ence of pay and their scanty ratons, but they
re eating their hearts out with helpless, dull
age because they cannot get at and try con-
lusions with the very visible but unattainable
De- Blanco, the incorruptibe, patriotic, hui
lane soldier, stands out noble figure in this
risis trusted and respected by all