The National tribune., 1898-06-02

demanded by the rebels Short of inde-
pendence. To the leaders he has rendered
bribes and Offices. Two priests were the
first emissaries to Aguinaldo. They offer
ed him 20, 600 gold ounces and Provincial
Govcrnorship if he would abandon the re-
beIlion and fight beside instead Of against
the Spaniards.
Tell the Governor" was the rebels
answer, that / will take that and as
much more as | want after court-martial
him for murder"
He sent the priests back first caution
ing them not to return to the rebel camp.
Next, two prominent merchants of Man
iIa, to whom the rebel chief was under
obligations for assistance given him in
years gone by when he most needed 1T,
were sent to use their influence in the
Spanish interest.
MONDAY, MAY 80.
sPAIN's BANKRUPTCY.
Senior Castillo has been in Paris making
extraordinary efforts to borrow 250, ,00O,O 900
pesetas from French bankers.
The 40 900 900 pesetaS which Spain Sc
cured few weeks ago are already ex-
hausted, and the Spanish Government
is left in worse plight than before, be
cause the Paris bankers are charging at
the rate of 30 per cent. upon the money
advanced.
Spain offers as security for the $50, ,0O0,-
600 now needed her tobacco monopoly.
In view of the certain loss OF her great
tobacco producing colony, Cuba, and the
increasing poverty at home, Where the
people have not money for bread, much
less for tobacco, this security is not con-
Sidered very strong.
THE SPANISH FLEET.
Commodore Schley has satisfied him
self and the authorities beyond any rea-
sonable doubt that the Spanish meet Is
bottled I'D at njiagO. 1t IS now Know III
that when the Spanish Admiral sailed ior
the West Indies he expected to enter San
Juan de Porto Rico for coal and supplies.
On touching at Curacao for news MS plans
were upset by the receipt OF dlSpatcheS
telling him that Rear-Admlral Sampson
had bonn barded the San Juan fOrtlhca-
tions and was still in the neighbOrhoOd OF
Porto Rico Thereupon Cervera sailed foI
the south coast of Cuba. Why he entered
Santiago harbor instead OF the harbor OF
Cienfuegos is not known, but the Ameri-
pan commanders were inclined to THINK
the Spaniards would go to the latter port.
By the most clever manuverlng the
Commodore allowed the Spaniards TO think
he had left in disgust. They took the
bait and ran into the harbOr. Commodore
Schley moved down and going close 10
the harbor he saw the ChriStobal Colon,
the Maria Teresa, and two torpedo boats.
He believes the entire fleet is theIe, as
Cervera would not make the mistake OF
dividing his force IN the presence oi liio
enemy.
THE INVASION OF CUBA BEGUN.
Immediately after returning from Me-
mortal Day services at Arlington tle
President held an important war confer
enee with the Secretaries OF war, the
Navy. and Gen. Miles, at which the last
details of the movement OF the army were
arranged. 1t is believed that the occupa
ton of Porto Eico first, which seemed
settled upon a few days ago, Will not De
done. for the reason that there are not
troops enough in hand for both places,
the need for Cuba is most pressing, and
that the first detachment will go TO oanti-
ago. reduce that place and come INTO
close touch with the insurgents.
If Santiago be the destination OF the
troops now embarking, Mai i.-Gen. Shat
ter's command Will be augmented sew
eraI thousand by insurgents now IN the
field and well armed. The Province OF
Santiago, though not the city itself, mas
long been held by GOmez's army. Blanco
has force Of less than II 900 In charge OF
the Notifications of the city, a majority OF
the soldiers being unwilling subjects OF
Spain who have been impressed into
service. They will be no match for the
small, but well-equipped invading army.
WILL RELY ON REGULARS.
: II was said at the War Department that
chief reliance would be placed at the out
set on the United States Regulars, most
Of whom are centered in Florida, and in
such volunteer regiments as were thor
Dughly equipped and reasonably well sea-
soned for service. Although the officials
will not state how many troops are avail
able for immediate active service, 1T Is
-oughly estimated that there are about
20, 900 Regulars and $4,000 volunteers at