New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-11-07
DELAY IN CUBAN AFFAIRS.
HOW A BRITISH SUBJECT WAS TREATED
BY HAvANA's MILITARY GOVERNOR.
vrcE-covsuL JEROME SECURES HIS RELEASE

vrcE-covsUL JEROME SECURES HIS RELEASE
ONLY BY PERSISTENT EFFoRT-EDIroRTh
ATTACK on THE UNITED STATES
Havana via Key West. Nov. s.-The interregnum
between SPANS virtual loss Of sovereignty In cuba
and the assumption OF full military control ny the
United States seems indefinitely prolonged, with no
immediate hope OF relief to a country which daily
grows poorer and more depopulated. On all sides
the question is asked. How much nearer is the final
solution OF the problem than ii was on the day the
protocol was signed?
Alfred Betancourt, a British subject born In ia
rnaica was assaulted on Tuesday last by a Spanish
officer who struck him on the side OF the head for
wearing a gold scarfpin in the shape OF a five
pointed star The officer ordered Betancourt under
arrest and sent him before General Arolas. Mill
tary Governor OF Havana. who ordered MIN I'M
prisoned Mr.. Jerome. British Vice-Consu on be
ing informed of the assault, presented himself at
the Captan-Generars Palace 10 protest against an
act Of brutality and to demand the release OF
Betancourt.
General Blanco at first attempted 10 put Mt
Jerome off. Their he said 1t would be an extremely
difficult matter to release the prisoner as ne nad
not been arrested by the Orden Publico. but by an
army officer and had been sent Jail by the Mill
tary Governor. But Mr. jerome main taned hrm
attitude, insisting that would remain at the
Palace until Betancourt released. Finally MS
persistence successful. After an IntercnanSe OF
messages between General Blanco ana Geheidi
Arolas. Betancourt was released.
These are the facts of assault, which, under
other conditions might pass with slight notice put
which is significant coming on the neels OF a
threat made by General Arolas to get even WIN
Engshmen in Havana because Of a protest re-
Gently made by Mr.. MacLean. manager OF the
Marine Railway, owned by an English company;
against the use to which the railway stations mad
been put by Spanish soldiers stationed 10 guar
them on Sundays and holidays The conduct OF the
soldiers grossly indecent and excited the IN
dgnation of everybody living in the vicinity OF the
stations. When Mr. MacIean lodged his complaint.
General Arolas who is hostile 10 the English as
well the Americans. declared that he would get
with the Saxon rab0e.'
Ell Diario de la Marina" publishes a fierce edi-
torial attack upon the United states. declaring
that "the whole country is governed by rum and
ignorance" 1t imputes TO the American Govern
ment "a breach of faith contrary 10 the usages or
all civilized countries in sending war yesse 10
Porto Rico after the protocol was signed. and oc-
cupylng the Philippines before the conference at
Paris had terminated" The whole article is a
mass of inaccuracies and ISLANDERS, but It's spirit Is
most sedtious
on October 20 l0 members OF the Civil Guard
shipped Spain by the steamer Ciudad dc
Cadz. against their will and under armed escort.
They among those who. because Of their pro-
test against non-payment OF arrears upon their
discharge from the Civil Guard, were imprisoned
FL MORO by General Blanco