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Santiago de Cuba, November 20, 1897.

For the benefit of the Department of State I send the inclosed list of civil officers of the insurgent government of Cuba, elected and installed at Yaya, in the province of Porto Principe October 20.

There is rumor of renewed activity on the part of the rebels of eastern Cuba, commanded by Gen. Calixto Gracea, and the shipment of all available Spanish soldiers to Manzanillo corroborates the report.

The Spanish residents of the island are becoming very outspoken in favor of closing the war and annexation to the United States. There are numerous inquiries among them of how they can become citizens of our Government. There are also quite a number of Spanish soldiers making the same inquiry. The business Spaniards here declare that they are tired of doing business at a loss, and that peace and prosperity can only come by annexation. Many are greatly disappointed that the United States consul can not make American citizens of them at once.

With highest, etc.,

United States Consul.