Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 19, Number 48, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 18 February 1898 — COERCES THE PRESS. [ARTICLE]

COERCES THE PRESS.

CENSOR ATTENDS TO EDITING HAVANA PAPERS. Gen. Pando Prohibits Reports of Gen. Blanco’s Failures or Sarcastic Laudations of Autonomy—Rumor that a PiK Iron Trust Is Being: Formed. Works Bis, Blue Pencil. .Gen. Pando’s sudden return to Havana was due to the failure of Capt. Gen. Blanco’s trip through the East, where the latter met with a cold reception at the hands of both Spaniards and Cubans. He immediately assembled the editors of all the daily papers except La Lucha and emphatically prohibited direct or indirect attacks upon autonomy, as well as articles of a laudatory character which were in his opinion sarcastic. He is there now to keep the papers from printing any news relating to the failure of Gen. Blanco iu the field, to coerce th* press and to prevent an outburst of indignation among the masses of the people over his failure tcf’bbtain the surrender of the insurgent leaders, as loudly promised. These strenuous efforts to choke the press prove the desperate position of the Government, which grows weaker day by day. Even the leading editorial in El Pais, the official organ of the autonomist party, was suppressed by the censor. Capt. Geu. Blanco, it is reported, is seriously disgusted because of his failure to secure the .submission of the insurgents in the eust of the island and it is also reported that before May he will return to Spain. While on ship the captain general’s “cane of command” fell overboard and the occurrence is considered one of ill-omen and an indication that he will soon lose his command in Cuba. „ . * Collision on the L. & N. A disastrous head-end collision between a passenger and freight train occurred ou the Louisville aud Nashville Railroad near Kirkland, Ala., instantly killing Will Ursery, engineer of the passenger train, his fireman, Ed Davis, and three white tramps. Henry Davidson, engineer of the fast freight train, nnd his fireman, Will Lee, were seriously injured. Charlie Harrison, brakeman on the freight, hod both legs cut off and will die. A trainman named Hughes on the passenger train was fatally hurt. Barrios' Slayer Is Killed. Official confirmation of the assassination of President Barrios came to the State Department at Washington in the following telegram from Minister Hunter at Guatemala City: “President Barrios was shot aud instantly killed while walking with two military officers near the palace. The assassin while attempting to escape was immediately killed by the president’s staff. Manuel Estrada Cabrera, temporarily the constitutional successor, has been peaceably installed. All quiet.” Rnmer of a Fig Iron Trust, - In Cleveland iron circles the sensational story is circulated that an effort is being made by the Carnegie Iron Company to form a trust, controlling the entire pig iron trade of the country. Local iron dealers recently received communications from the Carnegie company urging that such a deal be considered and advancing lengthy arguments to prove the benefit a trust would be to all concerned.