Evening star., 1898-08-18
GEN. .BLANCOOPENS PRISONS
Ordered Cuban Military Authorities to Lib
crate Certain Prisoners.
Insurgents in Pinar del Rio Notified
by Their Leader Not to Fire
on Spanish Forces.

HAVANA. August 1S.-tien. Blanco has
raised the previous censorship on all COM
mercial cables and mediums of transit. He
has also ordered the military authorities to
hberate Immediately all individuals i'm
prisJncd who have subc.it.ed previously.
They will. however, be subject to proceed
ings as soon as they can bc brought before
their respective judges, who are instructed
10 act without prejudice, allowing for
definite review by th5 general tribunal and
the superior court.
Reports have been received from Arte-
misa to the effect that many empty carts
have already left for Cayajabos for the
purpose of conveying troops, food, ammu-
milton and photographic materials.
Advices have also been received here to
The effect that the Spanish steamer Mont
stTrat. carrying 6n0 sick soldiers. mail, pri-
vate and official documents, Cen. Cebalios
one colonel and fifteen Others has left Ma
JanZas for Spain
Reports from Artemsa. in the province
of PiaGr del Rio, indicate that Pedro Diaz,
the inSurgenL chief, has addressed a circu-
lar TO The Insurgents. saying that he has
received documents announcing that the
American government has signed peace pre-
nminaries- DiaZ. accordingly. recommends
the insurgents not to approach the towns
and not TO fire on the Spanish forces. The
circular is printed, and bears on the open
sheet small Cuban flag. On this account
1t Is supposed that the printed matter was
sent TO Diaz from the United States.
Ordered to Abandon Them
The chief Spanish officials have ordered
the forces to abandon all of the small
places in the province of Pinar del Rio,
forming a half brigade at Artemisa, and
reconcentrating al Guanajay. Artemisa and
Candelaria-
The Mangroye was reported afloat at I
n'p11pE IN pF
leaving the port of Caibarian.
Efforts are making to please the labor
ing classes and 20 prevent the news of
possible disturbances from being widely cir
culated. 1t Is said that the only object of
the circulation Of alarnlist reports is the
producing of an unfayorable impression
among the American people concerning
about 10000 residents of the island.
Many OF these residents are citizens with
families. and they represent about 80 per
cent Of the persons owning property on the
island, who pay at least 10 per cent of all
kinds of taxation The producing classes,
both Spanish and Cuban. plainly feeling
the uncertainty of the existing conditions,
would be satisfied to see the Washington
government resolve upon quick and definite
action and declare the island d state in the
Union. seeing thus guaranteed their prop
erty interests and their lives.
These Cubans and Spanish 1t Is asserted,
would resolve to remain in Cuba. in the
event Of suoh action being taken. 1t IS be-
heved that local stocks would become firm
and would assume normal price should
II be aScertained for a certainty that the
island would not be declared Independent.
The Madrid government has authorized
the colonial government to draw drafts for
the purpose of arranging for the payment
of 5000 900 for expenses. The council has
been accorded the privilege of suspending
the bond redemption. but the Cuba-Spanish
Bank has been accorded the privilege of
continuing 10 arrange for drafts and the
redemption of the bonds.
General ArOlas is trying to perfect ar
rangements looking TO the establishment
o. the pubic lights In all parts of the city.
a Court-MartiaI.
Yesterday morning e schooner approach
ed bearing peculiar flag. A man-of-war
at once left the harbor. Seeing this. the
schooner hurried away. The man-of-war,
being unable to eaten the small boat, re-
turned 70 the harbOr OF Havana
The captain general en- the morning Of
the 10th arranged for the conducting of a
q court-martial The general officers and
representatives. were in attendance. having
been instructed how to act in the case of
the punishment of any English subjects
Some OF the most important Spanish off,
Gals in the city We're in attendance but
so far as has been ascertained no action
looking to the irfliction of the death Dc n
atty was decided upon.
The local papers applaud the civil gov
efnor Tor the Issuance of orders putting in
the municipal asylum girls of eleven and
thirteen years of age found begging on the
street and in the public parks.
American schooners, Ellen Kate included
arrived today with provisions MANY en-.
rlous persons assembled at the wharf for
tho purpose Of witnessing the unloading.
The cigar factories OF Book & Co. and the
factories which manufacture the Henry
Clay cigars and other WelI-known Havana
brands are arranging 10 commence work
without further loss of time.