The Great Round World and What Is Going On In It, Vol. 1, No. 60, December 30, 1897 | Page 5

work.
The crew have been subjected to a severe examination. Each man has
had to make a statement before the court.
The master and mate of the vessel swore that the Silver Heels left New
York bound for Wilmington, N.C. Her cargo consisted of one hundred
tons of coal designed for sale in Wilmington.
On account of head winds she could not approach the coast, but was
buffeted about until a few days ago, when she cast anchor in
Wilmington harbor.
The two officers declared that no other cargo than the coal had been on
board, and that there had been no passengers.
The collector found the amount of coal in the ship that the master and
mate swore was there--and so far everything goes to prove that they
have been telling the truth.
The statements of the crew have been sent on to the Government, and
the vessel will be kept in custody as long as it is necessary in order that
a proper investigation may be made.
* * * * *
After thinking matters over, the Spaniards have decided that President
McKinley's Message was not so friendly to them as they at first
supposed.

They have arrived at the conclusion that the part of the Message which
refers to intervention on our part in case Home Rule does not succeed,
is highly offensive to them.
Señor Sagasta is reported to have said that if the United States should
try to interfere between Spain and Cuba, Spain would be found ready to
protect herself and defend her national honor.
The heads of the Government then decided that Spain ought to increase
her navy, so that she should be ready in case of trouble. An endeavor
has been made to raise funds for this purpose, and one of the Spanish
Senators has suggested that a public subscription be opened for the
purpose.
A meeting of the Carlists has been called to protest against the
interference clause of the Message, and the Spaniards generally are
much annoyed over it.
General Weyler has not allowed the opportunity offered him by the
present unpopularity of the United States to pass him by.
He has been doing his best to convince the people that his recall was
due to our interference, and that, had he been allowed to remain in
Cuba, the island would have been pacified in a very short space of time.
He and his friends have been working industriously to raise him to the
position of a popular hero, and, taking advantage of some of the
President's remarks about the cruel methods of warfare employed in
Cuba, he says that he feels proud of the fact that the President attacks
him, as it is a proof that his conduct was displeasing to Spain's enemies.
Following up these remarks, which were published in all the Spanish
papers, Weyler determined to visit Madrid and pay his respects to the
Queen.
He and his friends evidently hoped that there would be some popular
demonstration in favor of their idol.

A holiday was chosen for his arrival, so that the lower classes might be
free to greet him, and a party of his admirers, several hundred strong,
went in a body to the depot to receive him.
Sagasta, learning of these arrangements, feared that some hot heads
might make an attack on the American embassy, and sent a special
guard to protect it.
He might, however, have spared himself the anxiety. The people took
very little notice of the great man's arrival, and made no demonstration
whatever. His arrival in the city seemed to be of very small importance
to any but his own personal friends.
* * * * *
You will be glad to hear that Gen. Rius Rivera, the insurgent leader,
has been released from the Cabana fortress by a royal decree.
He has sailed for Cadiz, Spain, where he will remain in exile.
It is said that General Blanco sent for Rivera, and asked him if he
would promise not to take up arms against Spain if he were set free.
Rivera replied that as soon as he was free he would return to the
insurgent camp and fight for Cuba till the last drop of his blood was
spilled.
General Blanco then asked him if he would go to the rebels and offer
Home Rule to them.
This was met by another firm refusal. The Cubans are feeling very
proud of his bravery and firmness.
You will remember General Sanguilly promised, if he were freed,
never to fight against Spain, but Rivera prefers imprisonment or exile
to giving a pledge which he could never keep.
Rius Rivera was the general who took Maceo's command after that
leader had been killed. He was captured last March, while severely

wounded.
There is a rumor