The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-09-25

President McExinley's Instructions
Not Made Public at Havana.

President McKinley's Instructions
Not Made Public at Havana.
HAVANA, via Key West, Sept. 24-On
Wednesday last Tumor was put into circu-
lation to the effect that the American COM
missioners. in answer to the Spanish demand
that the terms of evacuation shall extend
until February. had delivered note stat
ing that the Washington government in
sisted that the evacuation be completed by
the end of October. The rumor lacked Of
fetal confirmation, but the report gained
credit the next day, and was generally be-
lieved to have official foundation. This,
however, was fatty contradicted officially
by both sides. the commissioners absolutely
denying it's truth to the Associated Press
corr espondent. 1t is the desire of the Gu
bans, of course. to see the Spaniards go
from the island at once,b but it can be denied
on good authority that any such ultimatum
as that referred to has been received. 1t is
believed, however. that the Americans will
insist upon the evacuation being completed
by the end of November.
A committee has been appointed consist
ing of Colonels Aguelez Castillo and Cach-
azo to agree upon measures for the dis
bandment and disarming of the volunteer
troops 1t is understood that they will pro-
pose keeping the volunteers under arms un-
til the Cuban troops have been disbanded.
A lady of Havana, one of whose relatives
was undergoing a term of Imprisonment,
recently visited Admiral Sampson and re-
quested him to use his influence to secure
the liberation of her relative. Admiral
Sampson at once forwarded a petition to
General Blanco. who ordered that the pris-
oner be released.
A prominent Spaniard, who has just ar
rived from Santo Espir;tu, tells of many
atrocities committed by the Spanish Gen.
Agnacio Estruch in that vicinity. AS a re-
suit many families have fled to the fields,
and others have died, panic-stricken, suf-
fering from untold cruelties. General Es-
truch surrounded himself with advisers who
indicated to him persons to be killed or ex-
lied. Estruch made list of fifty persons,
submitting it for approval to General
Aguirre, commander of his division, who
consulted with Marco Garcia, civil governor
of Santa Clara province. Garcia
said the list was not reliable,
as all the people named therein
were reliable autonomists. Aguirre returned
the list to Estruch, refusing to approve the
latter's proposed action. Estruch chagrined
at his failure. formed secret service po-
lice of twenty-five gendarmes, armed with
daggers. The blacklisted persons were ar
rested by night and slain outside the city
walls When the families of the missing
inquired Estruch replied that they had been
arrested and released, and had probably es-
capped to the fields and joined the rebels.
Thus Estruch assassinated about thirty
persons. Estruch was arrested for his
crimes, but was released and sent to the
jaucaro trocha, not being court-martialed
on account of the lack of proof. One of the
daggars used by the Estruch police was
presented to Captain General Blanco, who
was Mortified at the sight. Among the per-
sons assassinated were Candido Spalederon.
a newspaper man. and a mulatto named
Ventura Castanedal.