The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1906-08-31
OndenIahle Evidences of Growth
OF oflnsurreCtionist Sentiment.
People in the Country are Becoming
Restless and Excited-Doubts as to
the Loyalty OF Recruits. Especially
OF Negro Recruits - Government
Still Confident That it Will Soon he
Able 10 Suppress the Movement.

11d' dud, august Z9.-10e surrender
today of some of the more vigorous
lnSuIgent leaders in the province of
Matanzas and Santa Clara, and the
coming in of a scattering few insur-
gents in response to the governments s
protfer Of amnesty is vastly more than
offset by the insurgent sentiment
looming stronger daily in the country
districts Of the province of Havana,
Plnar del Rio and Santa Clara, and
which now is reported to be gaining
headWay in Santiago, from which
province, however, there are as yet no
reports Of the existence of organized
bands. The testimony of persons ar
rlVlng here from the country is unani-
nous to the effect that the people are
restless and becoming more and more
excited. There are grave doubts Of the
loyalty Of recruits, especially of negro
recruits.
The undeniable evidence of the
growth Of insurrectiOnist sentiment is
causing increasing doubt as to whether
the government will after all be able
to cope promptly and successfully with.
the movement and there is much dis
cusslOn Of the possibilities of peace
full settlement. Interest centers in
projected meeting Of Cuban veterans
and other prominent men to consider
the question of approaching pinO
Guerra and other inSurgent command
ers, as we'll as leaders of the liberal
party and members of the government
with Il view TO ascertaining whether
the difficulty cannot be settled through
some compromise. At the present
stage Of affairs, however, a compromise
would appear TO be out of the question,
as the government continues cOnti-
dent that it will soon be able to put
down the movement. Many Cubans
feel that patriotism demands that some
united effort be made to end the war,
and avoid the possibility of interven
ton by the United States.
There is 40 question that foreigners
would welcome Intervention to restore
peace and many Cubans would do like
wise were it not for the sentiment Of
pride in making it appear that Cuba
can maintain order within her own
boundaries, and an unwillingneSs TO
have the world regard her as the ward
Of the United States.
Government officials, while not de-
nying that many people and especial:
the more ignorant classes are uneasy.
predict that matters will become quiet
after a few heavy blows have been
dealt the rebels.
Meanwhile a rapid fire artillery corps
is being organized under American OF
ficers, ammunition and guns are being
unpacked, and the historic Castillo 0e
I.aPunta, fronting on the harbor. or
! the entrance, is the scene of the srea--
est activity.
The insurrection in the province OF
Pinar del Rio has spread across the
mountains to the north coast, and the
town of Cabanas is now in the hands
! of the insurgents, who are reported
also to have gone in the direction cf
Bahia Honda The latter place Is the
! site of one OF the United States naval
stations, but it has not yet been occh-
j pied for that purpose. Coionei Aya-
! los command left the city OF Plnar
del Rio today for Guanes, but no news
has been received from him tonight
| The government telegraph lines are
interrupted.
Pine Guerra again Is threatening the
railroad officials.