The San Francisco call., 1898-04-17
RESTING ON
 THEIR ARMS Spaniards and Cubans Are at Peace for the
 Present. British Vice Consul DacOSta Is Distributing Relief Sup
 plies.
Mutinv Anaono Matapzas Grocers Over the Levying of Speclal
 Tax.
Copyrighted. 1898. by James Gordon Bennett

HAVANA, April 16.-Hostilities being suspended, news from the interior is without interest. There are neither battles nor skirmishes. Spanish troops go everywhere and carry food for the forts without being harassed by any one: farmers are working on their farms without hindrance. Groups Of rebels on foot and horseback have been seen with white flags at Matanzas.
 Some merchants have closed their doors, and there was a little mutiny among grocery retailers, who pro- tested against the tax fixed by the Council of the city on articles of tood drink, and on materials for fire, to make up the deficit caused by the eX- traordinary war expenses. Crowds gathered in the streets, but the police and civilian guard dispersed them Some were arrested, then quietness was re-established. This event was without importance, being exclusively a local one.
 All supplies stored at Matanzas to feed the reconcentrados were aban- doned by Consul Brice. The British Vice-Consul, MT Dacosta, is attending
  though he has been left without clerks and instructions.
 The Spanish mail steamship Monte video arrived this morning. On board was second in command at this port, Don Luis Faster de Landero, who went as far as Porto Rico on the Vizcaya. There he went on board the Monhe- video. Among many other passengers were Captain Don Ricardo Bruone, col of arir, 1iautRnantS longing to the military corps, two sol diers and thirty-four sailors belonging to the navy.
 An editorial in La Diario de la Ma rina says that telegrams received yes terday make it appear that the end of friendly relations between Spain and the United States has been reached. It declares that Spain has an advan- tage over the United States, because her diplomacy has bereft that country of every pretext to meddle with the af- fairs of Cuba The editorial praises the policy of Sagasta, which it says has been applauded by other nations. Two hundred rebels under Colonel Hernandez approached San Jose de las Lajas to-day, and hoisting a white 1 flag, asked the military commander for a conference According to the last news received at the Staff Office, the insurgent chief and the Spanish com- mander are holding conferences about the basis of an armistice. It is almost sure that the equalization of the rebels will take place tomorrow.
 Members of the Committee of Radi- | cal Autonomists will leave for Santa Cruz del Sur tomorrow to tender an armistice to the rebels. Senor Viond1 has been excused, not being able to go Marquis Real will go in his place. He offered to do so, believing he will have influence with the rebels, as his son Manuel Antone Morales, is a member of the rebel delegation in New York.
 NEW YORK, April 16.-The Her aid desires to state that it's news published under Havana date is from Spanish sources, owing to the fact that all American correspond. ents were obliged to leave Havana with Consul l-Genera1 Lee. Sucf news must be taken with the reser. vation that this explanation sug' | peStS