Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1896-06-15
HAVANA ALARMED.
Rebels Explode Dynamite in the
Suburbs Of the City.
WATER SUPPLY IN GREAT DANGER

Aqqeduct Bridge Partly Wrecked While
weyler and His Hosts Seem Helpless
Much Apprehension Felt In the Town,
Which Il Suffering from wsnt Of Food
Report That Gomez Has Sustained had
Defeat-Spanish Deviltry.
HAVANA, June 15.-This city was startled
and alarmed. Saturday at o'clock D. m.
by the noise of two successive explosions
which shook the ground for long dis
tance and were heard for several miles.
CONSERVATION prevailed for time, and it
was feared that this was prelude to an
attack OF q series Of similar explosions.
Excited throngs rushed to the streets,
while an armed party proceeded in the di-
rection from which detonations had been
heard. 1t was soon found that the stone
bridges Of Christina and Concha and the
aqueduct of Fernando Septimo were the
points that had suffered from the dync.
mite. The bridges were partially de-
stroyed, and the pipes of the aqueduct,
upon which the city is dependent for its
water supply, were much damaged. 1t
cannot yet be stated how extensive is the
damage done or how long it will require
to remedy it.
Done by Agents or the Rebs.
The windows in many houses in the
city were shattered by the reverberation
of the explosion, and some market struct-
ures were also badly damaged. There is no
doubt left that the dynamite which caused
this wreck was placed by agents of the
insurgents. 1t has been their determine
ton, announced some time since, to cut
of the water supply of Havana, and SO
serve to make it as nearly uninhabitable
as possible. The greatest apprehension is
felt on account of the secrecy and effective
ness with which the insurgents have been
able to carry out the outrage. The night
was spent in fear and dread of immediate
danger. These fears were largely dis
persed by the return Of daylight.
Where Are You At: Gen. weyler.
1t is believed that the insurgents are
bent upon investing Havana by cutting of
as much as possible the supply Of neces-
stiles though not by actually besieging
it. All fruits and vegetables and fresh
meats are unprecedentedly high priced
and difficult to obtain, and milk is of the
poorest, such as is brought in being much
adulterated before it is delivered. Much
fever and smallpox have broken out here
and in the unwholesome state of affairs
threaten to become epidemic. Many are
suffering from measles and there Is much
intestinal trouble among the inhabitants,
owing to poor and insufficient food. The
failure Of the water supply under these
conditions Is dire calamity.
Perhaps There Will He Some Real Battles.
1t is the announced intention of the au-
thorities TO continue the campaign against
the insurgents in spite of the unhealthy
rainy season having set in, and additional
troops are in the field in Pinar del Rio
with the purpose Of running down and
surrounding Antonio Maceo 1t Is evil
dent. however, that the insurgents them
selves arepreparing to enter upon n more
aggressiveplan of action, and the gather
ing of insurEent forces in Puerto Principe
and Santa Clara Is believed to- be pre-
ludc to another raid westward in force BY
Maxine Gomez. The presence of this COM
bined insurgent force in the neighborhood
and even in the outskirts of Havana in
the next month is a condition that must
probably be counted on.
REPORT OF DEFEAT FOR GOMEZ.