The times., 1899-08-17
ARMS SEIZED IN HAVANA.
The Police Raid House ON the
Prado.

Havana, Aug. 16.-The police have seized.
in house on the Prado. 600 rifles. which.
! it is suspected. belonged TO partisans OF
Jlminez. who is working here TO secure
| the presidency of Santo Domingo. He
however, denies that the arms were in
tended for use against the Dominican au-
thorities and adds that he has no intention
TO violate the neutrality laws.
a report from Baraeoa states that an ex-
pedition sailed thence yesterday for Santo
Domingo. The party numbered sixty Gu
bans, several of whom were insular Of
| ticers who were prominent in Havana So
| ciety
! New York, Aug. 1s.-General Moseoso,
the leading representative here of the Do
minican revolutionists. promptly denied to-
day that the revolutionary forces had met
5anguinary and decisive defeat at the hands
OF Government troops commanded by Gen.
eral Escoboza, as reported in newspaper
dispatches.
1t is impossible, it is ridiculous, he de-
clared. Escoboza defeat our forees2 Ha-
! ha, Why, Escoboza is but stupid old fell
| low. given his commission purely TO con-
ciliate his backing-no soldier at all. and
| entrusted with no command except = mere
post at Altamina in Porto Plata provinces,
on the railway between Porto Plata sea-
port and Santiago de los Caballeros.
Why. he and his 100 men would Be slain
in an hour il they ventufed into the pro-
vince OF Monte Cristi, where our troops
are concentrated Moreover, it is incon-
ceivable that Escoboza would be en-
trusted with any movement. I have ha /
him under my command and greater
mutton head never breathed. In Porto
Plata province ther is a guerrilla chief,
Sosua, who is with US, heart and soul. He
is as rash as he is brave, and doabt nos
that with a handful OF followers. half
armed. he has thrown himself upon Esco-
! boza's regular troops, and has been
whipped.
That the defeat became massacre /
can well believe, for Sosua is little cruel,
ard unquestionabIy. when he saw his men
allowing themselves to be driven back h
and his lieutenants killed many of them
with their own hands. That is Sosua.
Yes, Sosua IS little cruel.
1t was some such little conflict as that.
I can assure you. which has been made
the basis of the story of the great Govern
1 ment victory. And | can tell you what in
/, terested source has magnified the incident
none other than the San Domingo I'm
! proyement Company. the American cor
poration which administers the custom
/ houses of the country. This company
| bought out the Westerndorf Company. OF
Holland. which had made a loan of s., ,500,-
| 0G0 to the Government. and the former.
| increasing the loan to 81, ,000, 600, received
] control of the customs under an agree
ment whereby the company was TO pay the
! Government 100000 a year and retain the
balance until principal and interest OF the
| loan were discharged.
I'm the most convincing terms we. the
representatives OF the revolution. have not
only promised this company that its pFivi-
leges viii be respected but have pledged
ourselves that every concession shall re-
main untouched. Despite these solemn as
sertions the company has apprehensions.
Even more false than the bate story
is the morning despatch saying that be-
leaguered Monte Cristi is to be re-en-
forced by 1000 Government troops. The
Government cannot spare a company OF
soldiers from any town where they are
now quartered.
The situation is the same everywhere.
Take Samana, supposed 10 be one OF the
Governments most loyal ports. 1t is the
parish OF Father Charles Philip Morales
who is now with me here; he knows every
soul there, and how each leans, and he
says: Just let the bayonets leave for a
forenoonl' 1t is at Samana that we now
intend 10 establish our provisional govern
lueut, anu GCcOEulHSIy We SEdti turn our
forces eastward so soon as we have cap
tured Monte Cristi.'
Attorney General Griggs is at preze t
considering the question as to whether the
neutrality laws of the United States are
applicable to Cuba under existing condi-
tons, with a view to establishing the
status of General Jiminez.
While a declaration OF the countIy's po-
sition in the matter has not yet been Of
| ficially made, there seems to be a desire
on the part Of officials in Cuba. which has
| been made the headquarters for the Jimi-
nez supporters, not to place this Govern
ment in the attitude OF giving aid and
| comfort to the insurgents, and yesterday a
seizure of arms and ammunition was made
| by the collector of the port of Baracoa.
! The matter was reported TO the War De-
partment yesterday By the following cable
gram from General Brooke:
| Havana. Aug. 10.
Adjutant General Washington:
Collector customs Baracoa seized hundred
! forty-three carbines, eighteen thousand ammuni-
tion unquestionabIy intended for slnte Do
-mingo; twenty-five hlibusters landed Baracca