The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-03-07
VOLUNTEERS LIKE A VOLCANO.
SPAIN AFRAID To ISSUE AN ORDER
TO DISARM THEM.

The Volunteers Trusted by No One
and in a State of Great Unrest-The
Officers of the SOIdiery Confident
the Sngasta Cabinet Is i'm Favor of
DisbandinE Them-Demonstrat on
Against Autonomy and Gen. Blnn-
co Feared.
Havana, via Key West, March 6.-Of the
very keenest interest to Havana is the
question of dsbanding and disarming the
volunteers. These soldiers, whom no one
trusts, are in a state of great unrest. The
colonels of three battalions have tried to
see Gen. Blanco on the subject, but he
made excuses which they refused to ac-
cept or believe. Finally Gen, Parade
sent a letter saying that no government
would dare disarm the volunteers This
was reinforced by a cable message to the
same effect from Senior Moret, minister
for the colonies at Madrid. The volun-
teers, however, noting the strength OF
the radical wing of the autonomists and
knowing that its members are hostile TO
the volunteers, are doubtful of all pro-
fessions. The officers Of the volunteers
believe that the Sagasta cabinet is in
favor of disbanding their corps, no mat
ter what is said to the contrary.
The colonial government is anxious not
only about the possible action of the vol
unteers, but as to what side the unpaid,
badly fed Spanish troops will take. AS a
result there is general disquietude not vis-
ible 10 an observer, perhaps, but very real
for all that.
The danger apprehended is a demonstra-
ton against autonomy and Gen. Blanco
by the volunteers, whom it would be i'm
possible to control when excited and re-
inforced by a mob from the sums, and
who might do incalculable damage TO life
and property and to the prospects of peace
with the United States.
1t is claimed also that the volunteers and
the regular forces are most to be feared
by non-combatants in an hour of defeat,
as has been shown prior to and during the
present insurrection, The situation has
been acute for some time.
Gen. Blanco and Gen. Parade continue
their denials that the government has any
intention of disarming the volunteers. and
the radical wing of the autonomlsts is
thus FAR regarded as defeated, since dis
arming is the principal plank of their plat
form.
The autonomist government has asked
the opinion of commercial houses here
with reference to the postponement of col
lectlons on mortgages until the war Is
over and chance has been given TO produce
something on the island.
The majority of the replies are in favor
of such an arrangement. Foreign cred
itors, especially the English, protest that
they should not come under the same head
with the resident creditors, but that their
debts should be collected
Senior Gown favors the postponement of
collections.
Millions of dollars are involved and
there is great interest in the decision of
the question.
1t is said that Gen. Lahoe will succeed
the late Gen. Vidal Ducassi, as insurgent
commander in the province of Pinar del
Rio.
Eel Diaro yesterday reported an engage
ment with Gen. Gomez in the district of
Sancti Spiritus, near La Riforma, in which
II Is said 16 were killed. Juan Ramirez, an
old chief of the ten years war, is with Gen.
Pando in the east of the island trying to
secure the surrender of the insurgent gem
eral. Salvador Rios and Leader Capote,
thus far with no success.