The San Francisco call., 1898-04-07
U N> - SS - SsS SSS SS - SS S' - EXCITEMENT
 IS INCREASED Panic at Havana Dur ing the Morning and
 Stores Closed. Spaniards Hold a Council Of War at the Palace and Call
 for, More Volunteers.
Am erican Consulate Guarded and Troops Held in Readiness in Case
 of Mob Violence.
Copyrighted. 1898, by James Gordon Bennett.

Copyrighted, 1898, by James Gordon Bennett
 HAVANA, April 6.-Panic reigned in Havana tonight. The cable this morn ing brought many alarming private messages, and the result is the city IS in a tumult Americans are rushing to get away. Spaniards are scanning the horizon beyond Morro Castle for the coming of the white squadron, Whose presence in Cuban waters is hourly eX- pected. Lawton & Childs, American bankers and agents of the Plant line steamships, received early message that the Mascotte should not on any account be held beyond the sailing hour of 1 o'clock this afternoon, and that the Olivette would not make the extra trip that had been promised. This message also announced that Consult General Lee would be ordered to with draw from Havana to-day. The result of this message was that lawton SE Childs did not open their doors for gen. eral business this morning, though American customers were cared Tor. Their action was followed by all other American houses, and indeed by most of the French and German firms, as we'll as some Spanish. The shops along Oreilly and Obispo streets were desert ed, while people gathered in excited knots to discuss the situation.
 I went early to the palace to pay re- spects to General Blanco. l found the doorway to the palace almost choked with excited officers talking and gestic- ulating. The sentinels at the gate were not at their posts, but had stepped out side to talk over the latest news with half a dozen fellow soldiers. In the passage upstairs l found the same con- dition of affairs, save in General Blan- co.'s room There a council of war was being held. Besides Blanco there were present members of the Colonial GOV ernment, military and half dozen others whose offices l did not knGW. ] was told that they were Governor Aro- las, Admiral Manterola, General Far rado and Dr. Congosto. They were dis cussing the "bando" recalled last night, and which will be probably reissued to- night, calling upon all able bodied men in the island between the ages or nine teen and fifty to at once enroll them- selves in the army.
 This was not a peremptory order, but so worded that it can be plainly seen that to refuse it is to be considered dis loyal to Spain. Of course it was impos- sible under the circumstances Tor me to see Blanco or Secretary Congosto, po- lite regrets with a request to call later being sent out in reply to my card. Dr. Mendez, censor, was seen for mo- ment. but he was too busy to talk. He is one of the few officials within the palace who refuses to get excited. Dr. Mendez has for several weeks believed war inevitable, but sees nothing re- markable in that and has awaited the end with a smile of confidence. He does not expect short war, either, and de- clares that final victory is not assured to either country.
 Nearly every foreign family which ex- poets to remain in Havana has been prepared for at least ninety days o: siege. My informant said that unless robbed by a mob his family has SUD- plies sufficient to last ninety days. This morning not less than 5000 volunteers were in the Prado in parade, which was lined with spectators from one end to the other. Great enthusiasm was dis played, but absolute order was ob- served. The Hotel Inglaterra Is guarded by fifty mounted orden publicos and as l many more on foot