The herald., 1898-02-24

| this purpose and decided upon one which
we will commence to fit up at once.
will see General Blanco the first momen
possible, in order to secure his aid tt
make up what is practically needed b.
the multitude"
The committees letter thanks the
American people for their generous do
nations and tells them that their contri
buttons have reached many who. hat
LIT not been for their timely aid, would
be now dead and buried.
| FACTIONAL FIGHTS
NEW YORK, Feb 2s.-The Maine in.
cident is cast into the background by the
intelligence from Havana concerning
the attitude of the radical autonomists
headed by Sovin, Giberga and Amblard
says the Madrid correspondent of the
World.
| The impression is that the concessions
| to the extreme autonomists will lead
to making them masters of the situa.
! tion, as the moderates, like Galvez an6
Montoro, either will be tools in theil
hands or will have to resign the moment
It becomes known that the Madrid gov
ernment will allow free hand to Giber-
ga and Amblard as long as they car
hope to secure prompt submission oI
majority Of the rebels, in order to avert
foreign interference and a prolongatior
OF struggle disastrous to the Spanish
| finances.
People here apprehend that Marshal
Blanco may have trouble to keep the
old Spanish party and the volunteers
quiet If the Colonial Cabinet is recon-
structed with radical autonomists who
are certain, it is believed, to drift into
some direct understanding with the rebel
chiefs and the fugitives in order to Sc
cure pacification before the LIST Of May.
SPANS LAST DITCH
NEW YORK, Feb ga dispatch to
the Herald from Madrid says: "As the
question as to the purchase of Cuba is
again being pushed in Washington, it
may be of use to state on the highest
authority that Spain will never, no mat
ter what suggestion Is made, compro-
mise in Cuba beyond the broad measure
of autonomy drafted by the Liberal gov
ernment. .
This Is an absolutely irrevocable de-
cision. People who suggest anything
else are only wasting time and arousing
unfounded hopes.
OE 1SlAL <tAN<NlI
WASHINGTON, Feb. 23.-The Eve
ming Star has the following from its
staff correspondent in Cuba:
HAVANA, Feb. 23, via Key VEST
Inquiry into the Maine disaster pro-
crosses along definite lines. The re-
suits so far may be summed up in the
statement that the probabilities that it
was an accident seem to decrease with
the progress of the investigation. The
most intense anxiety is shown by the
Spanish officials here, who are in con-
stant communication with Madrid
They realize that the relations with the
United States were never so much in
danger of rupture as now. This is the
general feeling.
1.-The commercial classes here are
hopeful Of American Intervention on
peaceful lines, but what they base their
hopes on Is unknown.
"The insurgents continue to win
minor military successes. The autono-
mists are restless, and some of the lead
ers seem on the point of breaking away
from the government. Army officers
continue to show an anti-American SEN
timent. They are apparently the only
crisis.
THE FIGHT FOR FREEDOM
HAVANA, via Key West, Feb. 24.-At an
important meeting of the central commit
tee of autonomists, Senor Gown. secretary
of the interior, proposed an amendment
increasing the committee from forty to
ffty-five. The fifteen new members will
be taken from emigrants to the United
States and insurgents of prominence, who
agree to support autonomy. The amend
ment was adopted by large majority, fif-
teen among whom were reformists.
1t is regarded as surprising that a Span
ish resident supported the plan The COM
mittee also nominated delegates for the
election next month. 1t Is believed that
the Radicals will carry the election and
demand a more liberal constitution The
meeting is regarded as the first political
battle of the campaign, and the results are
highly important, because If the insurgents
decline the extended hands of the au-
in a constitution securing prac-
tical independence, autonomy will fail in
the eyes of the world and nothing will re-
main except the Spanish flag and what 1t
implies.
The question is then what will Spain do
next?
General Pando, after leaving Havana,
spent several days at Puerto del Prado.
emissaries to the insurgent leader Capote
to negotiate a surrender, Pando having
$4,000 for the purpose. 1t is claimed that
he has not been able to find Capote. and
that consequently he went on to the City
Of Santiago de Cuba, Manzanillo and Santa
Cruz where he arrived last Friday On
Sunday morning. with battalion Of fresh
soldiers he took the steamer for Manzanil-
10 to commence operations In the field. The
infanta battalion under Major Pedro Rivas
left Candelaria Monday to reconnoitre the
Mulo heights.
No insurgents were found until the
troops reached the heights, when suddenly
they were attacked by large force under
Gen. Maria Rodriguez and leader Perico
Diaz and surrounded. A hot fight en-
sued. Major Rivas was killed. The Span
lsh column effected retreat, after con-
loss. Its casualties, in addition
to the loss of Major Rivas. were four Off
GERS and forty-five men.
1t is believed that others were killed.
The insurgent loss is not yet known, but
was probably small.
AS an illustration of the want prevailing
n the immediate suburbs of Havana 1t
Is said that during the last six weeks 200
patients have died of privation at the lu-
natice asylum at Mazerra In that period
the autonomist mayor of Havana has given
the asylum only $1,000. The former mayor
gave 1t $4,000 a month, with far fewer
deaths. -
CAN WIN ALONE : ~
ST. LOUIS, NO., Feb. A.-Lupercio Mar
tinez, a Cuban residing in st. Louis, and
reputed to be in close touch with the junta
and the leaders of the eause>of independ-
ence, stated that the Cubans are not in
l. "a rs.