DISTRESS IN CUBA

     Cortland Evening Standard, Wednesday, September 28, 1898.

DISTRESS IN CUBA.

Certain Portions of the Island Threaten Open Hostilities.

   HAVANA, Sept. 28.—The transport Resolute has arrived here from Key West. General Wade and his staff and Charles W. Gould, special representative of the department of justice on the American commission, came ashore as soon as the steamer arrived and proceeded to the Trotcha hotel at Vedade.

   The report that the work of the Red Cross society in Guanabacoa is to be discontinued causes grave apprehension as the Society's dispensary has been the means of saving many lives and of relieving much sickness and want in that suburb, which is especially poor and needy.

   The latest estimates places the native population of the island at 745,000 of which only 320,000 are whites. Considering the area of the island, immigration therefore will be the principal feature of the new order of development in the country.

   Reports from Guines, this province, says that no farm or land holder or tenant has turned his hand to the sowing of crops in that vicinity, and the district, therefore, will have no potatoes, tobacco, cane, cabbage or other vegetables this year. This will further impoverish the district and adds to the distress. From now until February it will be impossible for the farmers to sow crops, and in February the ground will be prepared for the spring harvest. Therefore, the next six months will see a great deal of want and misfortune in the vicinity. This state of affairs is directly due to the unsettled condition of the country and the attitude of a certain portion of the Cubans who openly threaten hostility to the United States and are preparing to take the field and wage the guerilla warfare against the Americans, if any form of government short of absolute independence for the Cubans is established in the island.

 

CUBANS TROUBLESOME.

Insurgents Threaten to Carry on Hostilities.

CONFISCATING PROVISIONS, ETC.

A General Feeling of Alarm at the Departure of the Spanish Troops, and the American Soldiers Are Anxiously Awaited—Civil Government For Santiago.

   SANTIAGO, Cuba, Sept. 28.—The system of civil government established by General Wood is practically complete and in good working order. Major McCleary, formerly attorney general for Texas and a Spanish scholar, has been appointed mayor and the Spanish officials are giving place to the Cubans. General Wood says he does not know the capabilities of the men taking office who are chosen by a committee of 50 prominent Cubans whom he believed to be honest and conscientious. This committee recommends men whom its members think would be efficient in the various offices to be filled. The choice of men by the committee must be unanimous and must be made over the signatures of the entire 50 members. General Wood finds that the plan works admirably. Lieutenant Blount has been appointed to codify the Cuban laws.

   Senor Rigney, one of the largest sugar planters in Cuba, who has arrived here from Manzanillo, reports the conditions there to be worse than ever. The insurgents, he asserts, refuse to grant permission for carrying on of work on the plantations, and the Spanish officials decline to furnish protection to those desiring to work. Senor Rigney declares that since the cessation of hostilities the insurgents have confiscated his provisions and destroyed a number of valuable pictures, made his carpets into saddle cloths, tore and trampled curtains, and broke glasses worth $500 each. They are encamped in numbers at the sea town of Campechulela, where they compel small vessels which fall into their hands to hoist the Cuban flag.

   William Stakeman, before the war an American consul at Manzanillo, arrived here and paid a visit to General Wood. He recounted many lawless acts on the part of the insurgents who he declares demand tribute from everyone, terrorize peaceful people and threaten the confiscation of the property of merchants and planters. Many persons say that the recognition of the Cubans has not been granted because the bandits make work and progress impossible. There is a general feeling of alarm in Manzanillo over the departure of the Spanish troops and the American soldiers are anxiously awaited.

   News received from Puerta Principe is to the effect that there is much sickness among the Spanish troops. Half the Spanish troops in the province are suffering from scurvy and dysentery. The Cubans hold the country and refuse to permit fresh provisions to be carried into the cities.

 

Captain General Ramon Blanco.

MILITARY NOTES.

Brief Telegrams Relating to Our Conflict With Spain.

   The Americans now hold four-fifths of the Porto Rico island. The Spanish are retiring upon San Juan from all directions, and the American troops are moving up. Some slight disturbances have occurred at Barros and Fajardo, but their seriousness has been exaggerated.

   General Ernst has removed his headquarters to Albonete, Porto Rico, but it is doubtful if his brigade will follow. The percentage of sick in his brigade is 42 and there are on the sick list in the entire command 2,600 men, 400 of whom are suffering from typhoid fever.

   It is learned in Paris that the Spanish peace commissioners have been instructed to stand firm for the retention of the Philippine Islands, although they may concede the island of Luzon for a coaling station.

   Our peace commissioners in Paris held a two hours' session in the drawing room of the Continental hotel, where they are stopping. No joint session has yet been held.

   General Fitzhugh Lee will not go to Havana in command of the troops to be sent there, but General Wade will probably be given that command.

   General Blanco has recommended to the Spanish government that Cuban political prisoners now confined in Spanish prisons be released.

   The letter of Secretary Alger to the president asking for an investigation of the war department has been made public.

 

Col. Theodore Roosevelt.

Chancey Depew.

PAGE TWO—EDITORIALS.

The Convention.

   The spirit of aggressive Republicanism characterized the proceedings of the Saratoga convention. The speeches were of a high order, the resolutions strong and frank, the enthusiasm was spontaneous and boundless, the nominations such as compel the admiration and confidence of citizens.

   The formal addresses of the temporary and permanent chairmen were filled with good things—the story and statistics of the prosperity that has followed the return of the Republican party to power, and the glory that has been won for the American name by American statesmanship and arms.

   Mr. Depew was at his best in presenting the name of Colonel Roosevelt. His heart was in his words, and his words rang the true metal of the man who will lead his party to victory, as he led the Rough Riders at San Juan. Earnest and insistent were those who advocated the nomination of Governor Black, whose praises were in the hearts and words of Colonel Roosevelt's advocates as well as his own.

   The attempt to make a non-resident of Colonel Roosevelt was shown by Mr. Root to be without standing in law and without reason. The delegates' views on this matter were made manifest when Mr. Depew spoke of the colonel as at one time "a very influential resident of Santiago." The vast gathering, spectators as well as delegates, caught the humor of the remark at once and responded with hearty cheers and laughter. A more popular candidate has not been to a convention in this state.

   Harmony and enthusiasm marked the convention from opening to adjournment. Disappointments were without bitterness. The cordial and aggressive support of the entire ticket by a united party is deserved and assured. Its election is not doubted, but to that end Republicans and their organization must poll the votes.

 

USS Iowa (BB-4).

READY TO START.

Oregon and Iowa to Sail Thursday on Their Long Voyage to Manila.

   NEW YORK, Sept. 28. — The United States battleship Oregon went down from the Brooklyn navy yard and anchored off Tompkinsville this morning, preparatory to her start on the long voyage to the Pacific.

   The Oregon draws more than 2 feet over her normal draft, 28 feet, so that she is over 30 feet in the water. Beside an enormous consignment of stores and provisions she carries 1,460 tons of coal and more than 500 tons of ammunition. In order to carry this amount of powder and shells a number of temporary magazines  were constructed in her hold.

   As the ship moved out from the dock at the navy yard her band began to play "Homeward Bound.'' Her crew was drawn up on the port bow with the marine guard abaft the bow. The cob dock was crowded with marines and sailors and a crowd of spectators stood on the coal dock. Cheers were exchanged. The Oregon was subsequently cheered by the crews of the Texas, Massachusetts, Iowa and Rainbow, which she passed on her way out. She responded by the blowing of her big steam siren.

   The first civilian to greet her was the Broadway ferryboat Montana, which was crowded with men and women. The moment the crowd on the ferryboat discovered that the Oregon was on her way out they rushed to the starboard rail, and for a moment it looked as if the ferryboat might capsize, as her starboard rail dipped into the water. They were hustled back to the port side by the deckhands.

   The Oregon will remain at Tompkinsville until to-morrow, when she is to be joined by the Iowa. The two will then begin their cruise to the Philippines. It was said at the navy yard that the reason the Iowa was unable to start to-day was that she is waiting for an additional consignment of ammunition, which is expected to arrive to-day.

 

AT THE DRYDEN FAIR.

They Thought the Stranger Must be a Green Goods Man.

   It is said that a well-known resident of Cortland attended the Dryden fair and did a good deal of visiting with the people there with whom he had no previous acquaintance. Seeing a farmer and his wife watching the merry-go-round, the story goes that he approached them and inquired of the man if he had filled his solo yet. "What do you mean?" asked the man accosted. "He must mean the silo," said the lady. "Oh, yes," replied the Cortland party, "that is what I mean," and then he asked further what it was filled with, and the reply was, "sowed corn." "Will that make good mucilage?" was the next question. This was too much for the lady and she looked auspiciously at the questioner and urged her husband to come away from him as he surely must be a green goods man.

 

Congressman Sereno E. Payne.

Congressman Payne at Saratoga.

   We publish to-day in full Hon. Sereno E. Payne's speech as temporary chairman of the Republican state convention at Saratoga. It was one of the most conspicuous events of the convention, and sounded as the key note the supreme importance of national issues in the coming campaign. It pitched the tune to which the praises of the "Rough Rider" candidate were sung, and harmonized with his enthusiastic and overwhelming nomination. No effort of Congressman Payne's public career has received more emphatic and unqualified praise than this speech. It was addressed to the voters of the state as well as to the convention, and its ringing sentences and convincing logic are as full of effect when read as when heard.

 

BREVITIES.

   —A regular rehearsal of the Choral society will be held at the Conservatory of Music to-night at 7:30 o'clock.

   —The first school sociable of the term at the Normal will occur in the Normal parlors Saturday evening of this week.

   —Morning prayer will be read in Grace Episcopal church to-morrow morning at 9:30 o'clock, it being the Feast of St. Michael and all Angels.

   —The speech of Hon. Chauncey M. Depew nominating Theodore Roosevelt for governor of New York state is found on our third page to-day.

   —Rev. Mr. Tiffany of East Syracuse was a visitor at the Normal school this morning and conducted chapel exercises in the Normal department.

   —Mr. Eugene Woodruff of Groton and Mrs. Maud H. Mason of Cortland were married this morning at Grace Episcopal church by the rector, Rev. A. Watkins. Mr. and Mrs. Woodruff will reside at Groton.

   —The handball court of the Y. M. C. A. will open this evening in the gymnasium. Aside from the game being of interest in itself the exercise is beneficial both as light recreation and as preparatory training for the winter sports.

   —The D., L. & W., the Lehigh Valley and the Erie railroads are having a rate war between Elmira and New York, says the Elmira Gazette, and a person can almost take a trip from that city to the metropolis for the asking. The end is not yet.

   —On Wednesday afternoon next there will be a horse trot at the fair grounds. It will include a 3-minute and 2:29 class and a named race. There will be a $50 purse for each event, entrance fee 10 per cent. Admission 25 cents for men, 10 cents for women. The grandstand seats will be free.