The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1899-08-21
EDITORS WILL REFORM.
Publishers Of the Suppressed Reconcen-
trado Asked for CIemency.
HAVE WRITTEN A LETTER TO THE MAYOR
that journal Was Criminai-Othcr
News from the Cuban Capital.

Havana, August 2O.-El Heraldo pub
fishes letter sent to Mayor LaCoste by
the editor and assistant editor Ricardo
Arnauto and Augustn Cervantes, of the
recently suppressed Reconcentrado, ac-
knowledging that their conduct of that
journal was criminal and asking to be Civ
en- an opportunity TO reform.
| This letter was addressed to the mayor
while the writer's were yet in hiding and
avoiding arrest The mayor says It was
entirely voluntary, and that they were
given the opportunity desired, largely be-
cause it was not desirable that such OBJ
jectionable things as would be given at the
trial should be published.
La Lucia referring to the subject says:
"Senor Lanuza. the secretary OF justice,
was to blame for the Reconcentrado scand-
ais. He ought to have interfered long be-
| fore it became necessary for the military
authorities to intervene in the public in
terests, but the fact is he was overcome
with fear at the mere thought OF taking
judicial action against the Reconcentrado.
FL Diaru dc la Marina calls the atten-
ton of General Ludlow, the military gov
|
asserting that 1t is impossible to get water
on the first or second floors of many
houses, and even predicts a water famine
General Ludlow replies that n water
| famine is not to be dreaded so long as the
aqueduct and Ventos spring holds out. Al
present 175 gallons per day are supplied to
each inhabitant. quantity sufficient Tor
city of twice the population.
The Patria says. Cuba has long enough
! M GnaO ch
which is an imitation of the French sys-,
TEN. She now needs a system OF local
government under which the various num-
Qualities should be allowed to choose
their own officials. The old system OF
governing entirely from the capital was a
mistake and an injustice
| In consequence of the removal OF the
Eighth infantry regiment from Havana
and the depletion of the Second artillery,
owing to discharges, 1t has been impos-
sihle to have public music during the
last few weeks. General Ludlow, think
ing band essential, asked the mayor
senior La Coste what he thought OF the
matter Senior La Coste replied mat the
Cubans being a Latin people and havlnS
musical souls, really needed naho TO
make them happy
AS a result of this interchange of opin-
ion sixty-three instruments have been par
chased and forty-three musical members
OF the police force will be organized as a
band The bandsmen will continue to 90
police duty, but they will have regular
hours for practice and will receive time
allowances. Meanwhile. and beginning
this evening a band composed of hoys
at the orphanage will play and, If s1tia-
factory, their services will be utilized once
week When the police bani Is ready
ii will play four times week, besnn'ps
probably next Sunday.
| Ell Dia OF Ciabarien asks ''ls Cuba in
a condition to be free?" Those Yno are
carried away by the sentiment answer t1is
| In the affirmative. Those VINO arc guided
| by reason say no. In our opinion Il least
three or four years must pass before Tho
natural constitution of the country Will
place its people in a position 10 govern
| themselves.
ri Diaro de la Marina says that "etern-
| ity will find Cuba still waiting to be free -
The Army and Navy Journal, in its
issue of August IL. reports the death fr. n
yellow fever Of Private Bel-ti2 of the
| Eighth infantry, the report bearing the
| signature of Major OReilly. This IS an
error due to translating the voIl dead,
| the word in the code message sh Inl1 have
been rendered sick. Beattie had ve'y
light case. He has been on duty now
several days since his conval Is :ancs