Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1898-09-16
SOUP KITCHENS ABANDONED
BEGGARs AGAIN INVESTING THE
STREETS OF HAVANA.
"Meat Ring Keeps the Price of Meat
at 30 10 60 Cents Per Pound
Spanish Officers Hope for
Commissions in Amer
lean Army.


Spanish commission and the United States
Cuban evacuation commission are abso-
lutely unfounded. There have been little
incidents. but no real bitches. For in
stance. when the United States transport
Resolute. with the American commission on
board. arrived here on Saturday morning
she did not fire salute on entering the
harbor, but later she fired the regulation
salute when visited by the British consul,
who has been acting for the United States.
This action was commented upon at the
palace, in consequence of which explana-
tions were exchanged during the evening,
with the result that the Resoluie on Mon
day morning flew the Spanish colors in hon
or of the birthday OF the Princess of the
Asturias, and at noon the same day, when
the Spanish flagship Alfonso XII. fired a
salute in honor Of the royal birthday it was
answered by the Resolute.
On Saturday morning, shortly after the
arrival of the Resolute. a shell exploded in
the ordnance park, killing Two soldiers. The
local newspapers were not allowed to pub
Hsh anything in connection with this Incl
dent. so as to avoid misinterpretation upon
the part of sensational newspapers. The
explosion was purely accidental.
Another little incident occurred on Sun
day. When the United States commission
ers arrived at the palace of the colonial
government. where their first meeting took
place. they were ushered into the state
room. where, on a table In the center, were
displayed maps of Spain and Cuba. The
members of the commission and staff re-
moved their swords. and, In so doing, in
advertently placed them over the map of
Cuba. covering the whole length Of the
island One OF the Cuban attaches present
noticing this. approached the table and
rem lar. 10
however. did not pass sunobserved. by the
others present, who have since commented
good naturally on the Occurrences. No i'm
portance or signifcance Is attached to
either OF these Incidents by the officials
here.
The true reason for the delay in the
meeting is the absence of instructions from
Madrid, which. although, announced as
coming on the last mail steamer from
Spain. gid not arrive as expected, v,,,
which left Porto Rico for this port yes
terday, Is expected to have on board the
Instructions from the Spanish government.
The reason that the first formal session
OF the commissioners took place on Sun
day was the understanding that the COM
missioners must meet within thirty days
after the signing OF the protocol. which,
on Monday, would have been thirty-one
days.
Two free soup kitchens in this city were
closed yesterday and the closing of others
will follow. These kitchens have been dis
tribUting to the really needy over 1900
rations daily. Their discontinuance, based,
on the assumption that distress and want
have disappeared from the city, will have
the effect of throwing thousands of un-
fortunate people on public charity. Beg
gars are again fnfesting the streets and
carrying filth and disease germs all over
Havana. Immediate arrangements for the
distribution of Comal rations, now that
the Spanish government refuses to con-
tinue TO feed the hungry, is imperative.
The meat ring" continues to keep the
price of meat at from 50 to 60 cents per
pound, in spite of the protests and offers.
made by large and responsible firms to
the government Offering TO import cattle
per pound.
Hundreds OF Spanish officers have asked
70 De discharged from the army. They re-
fuse to return to Spain, where starvation
stares them in the face Many of them
have formed classes TO study English, hop
ing to succeed in obtaining commissions in
the United States army as soon as they
are proficient in the language
II will be interesting to watch the course
pursued by the host OF counts and mar
quises. holding titles of nobility in Spain
and here. The aristocrRcy of Cuba are ali
Spanish grandees. holding Castilian titles.
OF OF which they are very proud and which
Erandees. who have been holding their III
ties Tor generations, formerly owning vast
properties IN the island, form the, most
either TO remain loyal Spanish subjects and
continue enjoying the privilege of rank and
title, or relinquish all claims to this honor
and become plain Tom. Dick and Harry
The same will happen to a long list of
Cubans, widows and orphans of Spanish
officers drawing pensions from Spain, which
y their only means of support to-day. The
list of such pensioners foots up over 2OO0
The situation here may be summed up
as chaotic. il Is impossible to tell exactly
what the future may develop, even regard
ing the commission. Its powers appear to
be very limited. the members having to
lNTTNfN Rff ID
sideraiion before acting.
The mayor of Havana, the Marquis Es-
taban, an autonomist, has sent gift of a
magniicent saddle horse 10 the insurgent
chief Maya Rodriguez. At the same time,
gifts were sent TO him from well known
councilman. A former aide of General Pan
do has also presented a horse to the in
surBent chief Andres Hernandez There is
an evident desire upon the part OF Cubans
h9iinihs once under spanish rule TO con-
clliate the extreme Cuban element, espe-
clally in insurgent army circles
While these gifts are purely personal, as
donors has been adversely criticised and
commented upon in many official circles.
The American evacuation commission
Sampson came ashore to do some shopping
and returned to the Resolute with his stan
in the course of the afternoon.
General Butler, who is now living ashore
went on board the transport this morning
TO confer with General Wade and Dr.
lsaine, the commissioners physician re-
Rarding the sanitary arrangements at the
TrochR hotel which will be ready in a
few days for the reception of the commits
sioners and the entire staff.
General Butler, his staff and Robert Por-
ter are the only American representatives
living on shore: but next week night shore
leave Will be granted 10 the staffs of Ad-
miral Sampson and General Wade. whose
members. under the navy regulations are
now obliged TO be on board the Resolute
at o'clock p. m. sharp.
The officers intend 10 ask their superiors
10 modify the regulations regarding dress
which compelled them TO wear their uni
forms shore, very trying costume
during the present intensely hot spell
This morning members of the commits
sion visited the government paWnshop 10
buy pledged goods. but they were in
formed that these were only sold once a
month at auction. The next sale will
take place on October ]. when many valu-
able articles Will so under the hammer
The attaches of the commission expect 10
attend Il in force. and possibly il will be
the last sale Of the kind. for the estab-
lshment will come under the general head
of government property.
Captain Lloyd c. Griscomb. General
or two TO look over the field there and re-
port TO the commission.
The electrical plant at Cardenas has sus-
pended public lighting, the municipality
being in debt $4,000 to the concern
The line OF steamers plying between Cat
barien and Nuevitas has resumed the sail
ings interrupted by the blockade. Cat
BARREN is reported entirely without meat,
The Havana military authorities probably
will regulate the retail prices of meat
bread. milk and other articles of general
The steamer Comal with her cargo of
undistributed supplies, Is still here, await
ing developments.
No one knows better than those who
have used Carriers Little Liver Pills what