The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-10-18
SITUATION IN CUBA.
Prospects of a Business Revival Not
Very Flattering.

Correspondence of the Associated Press.
HAVANA, Oct. ia prominent mer-
chant of this city, whose name is necessar-
lily withheld, in an interview on the Cuban
situation, said 1.-The delay in the evacua-
ton of the island by the Spanish troops
and the uncertainty as to the definite
policy of the United States which prevails
here, together with the different versions
as to the part which will be played by the
Cubans in the coming occupation of Cuba,
tend to render the situation here most in
tricate and confusing. The American CON-
missioners, naturally keep their plans to
themselves, and nothing definite can be as
certained by the business community which
is most anxious to know something of the
future prospects of the island.
Conflicting reports are also in circulation
regarding the policy adopted by the insur-
gent chiefs. For instance, it is asserted that
General Calixto Garcia has agreed to CO.
operate with the Americans and is exhort-
ing the Cubans to lay down their arms and
accept the conditions imposed by the Amer
leans. But the friends of the chief contra
dict these reports and say the insurgent
leaders are all earnest advocates and I'M
fiinching champions of the absolute indie
pendence of Cuba and that they will listen
trouble is to be feared in that quarter. In
deed, some of the prominent CubanS go
so far as to say that any deviation from
the original resolution of Congress regard
ing Cuba will be met by open protest and
armed opposition which, however suicidal to
Cuban aspirations, would mean much fur
Their trouble loss of life, privatiOns and ex-
penSe for the Americans. The climatic perils
are particularly referred to as likely to
cause considerable loss OF life among the
or otherwise, the Spaniards encourage the
CHbans in these ideas and it is claimed
that the Spanish delay in evacuating Cuba
has much to do with this situation The
Spaniards, 1t is believed, would, in the
event Of hostilities between the Americans
and Cubans, join with the latter against
the American forces.
There is already abuse in the distrYbu-
ton of rations and it would be well to stop
that work as soon as the Spaniards have
evacuated the island, for those who know
Cubans best are well aware that they will
not work so long as they can obtain free
sumo work, fearing that the independence
OF the island will bring about a state of
anarchy. There will be no sugar crop this
year and the cane fielus will be in such a
bad state next year that crop NAV be
expected in 1899.
ut is whispered around the American
headquarters that General Parade and
Admiral Monterola. of the Spanish commits
sion, recently admitted in private conyersa-
ton their dlssa tisfaction at the result of the
war and expressed the hope that something
would occur before the final evacuation Of
the island to warrant a renewal of hostil-
tues as, they are credited with saying, the
Spanish army and navy could not accept
the humiliation which they have been sub
Jected TO without an emphatic protest and
an opportunity to rehabilitate themselves.
which the Spaniards further claim. would
be best offered by q continuation of the
war. This conversation, il is further as
serted, was repeated later to Rear Admiral
sampson, who is said to have replied that
two months more of the war would have
suited MIN admirably. The admiral, by the
way, is deeply affected and disturbed by the
ADVERSE criticism to which he has been SUBJ
Jeeted. He appears to brood over ii con-