Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-07-08
DISGUISED WITH SPANIARDS
Their Consul General at Havana Expresses
His Sentiments
Bishop Santander objects to a Clause
in New Penal Code-Other Late
News From Cuba.

StEof tHe SpaUlSi cullSul SeL-
eral, in the course of interview today
said: The attitude of the Spaniards here
has caused me no little regret not to say
tempting to mix in politics. instead of re-
turning to private life. In order to elimi-
nate the bitterness felt among the Cubans
l am advising all Spaniards to accept the
changed conditions and to work harmo-
niously with all other elements for the
future prosperity of the island
Referring to the lynching last month of
jose Fernandez Lobregat by the Cubans
at San Antonio de los Banos, Senior Sagra-
rio said the affair most unfortunate,
and that he particularly regretted the err
roneous proceedings of the local tribunals,
which had merely complicated the case.
The Spanish government he asserted,
has no desire but to settle these dissen-
sions and to avoid further trouble between
the Spaniards and Cubans. My instruc-
irons are all n this spirit. and ] shall adj
here strictly to them as the best means of
furthering the interests of Cuba.
Wants "SacriIege' Retained.
The former penal code provided that rob-
berry of churches should be punishable un-
der two heads, theft and sacrilege. The re-
formed code suppresses the classification
"sacriege. Monsignor Santander, the
bishop of Havana. contends that this mod
ifcation is prejudicial to the interests of
the church, and has made formal protest
to the governor general
General Brooke has issued decree APP
propria ting $5O0000 in settlement of arrears
of salary III the education department.
Many of the schoolmasters have gone
without pay since January. Fifty thou
sand dollars will be appropriated monthly
hereafter. The local press is unanimous
in appiauding this act, it is the first
time in years that anything like regularity
of payment has been attempted in this di-
rection.
Gen. Erooke's Waste Basket.
For some time General Brooks has been
annoyed by a stream of anonymous letters
regarding pubic affairs and incidents. He
has received great number in reference
to the lynching of Lobregat. Some of the
writers give the names of persons ac-
cused of completely in the lynching The
governor general make no secret of the fact
that all unsigned communications are i'm
mediately consigned to his waste paper
basket.
The local papers are jubilant over the de-
feat in the city council of motion to pro-
hibt corner groceries from running wine
rooms in connection Herewith. Ell Diario
de la Marina says:
LAS no one had petitioned for such an
ordinance the vote was a dignif1ed protest
against an untimely persecution of the gro
GERS
Claims BriGandage is Increasing.
Gen. Brooke has signed a decree bring
ing the administration of matters requiring
legal opinion under the jurisdiction of the
supreme court instead of leaving them to
the contenciosos, as formerly.
Ell Cubano a paper published in the city
of Pinar del Rio, says that notwithstanding
repeated denialS, the brigandage which al
ways begins with cattle thievery, is rapidly
increasing in the western districts of the
island, including the provinces of Pinar
del Rio and Havana.
Gen. Ludlow has complimented the fire
department of Havana on its efficiency,
particularly in connection with a recent
fire at which he happened to be present.
The government surgeons at Marianao
have vaccinated $50 persons.
The death rate largely exceeds the birth
rate in the city of Matapzas. Last month
lis deaths were officially reported, as COM
pared with IS births. .-
Ridiculed by In Lucha.
La Lucia. ridiculing the recent declara-
ton of Senior Montero Rios in the Spanish
senate that Spain ceded Cuba with the idea
of independence for the island and not of
annexation to the United States, says:
Whether Cuba is to be free or to be an
nexed becomes matter of very little i'm
portance TO Spain after the United States
enforced a cessiOn."
The local papers devote columns to what
they term q mysterious proceeding. Ihey
say that the Spanish liner Humberto Rodri-
gucz left Havana on Sunday morning, car
rying al American officer. whose name is
not given. He behaved in a friendly man
ner toward all the passengers, but when
the vessel reached Nuevitas he ordered the
captain to keep all on board. then disem-
barked himself sent body of armed men
to occupy the steamer, placed a guard in
the telegraph office, declining to allow any
messages to pass. took the night train for
Camaguey, returned the following morn
ing, released the ship and left for Puerto
Principe by train. Headquarters declines
to give any explanation regarding this al
legged incident.