Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1898-06-09

Havana, Cuba, May %, via Vera
Cruz, Mexico, May 30, Tho news of
the arrival at Santiago de Cuba of
what is known here as the fret division
of the Spanish feet, has considerably
lightened the hearts OF the Spsniards,
and the news has been received with
great rejoicing.
Havana and the rest of The island of
Cuba, so far as heard from, is officially
pronounced to he entirely quiet. No
riots or other disturbances are reported
to have occurred, and the inhabitants
profess themselves to be longing for an
encounter with the forces of the United
States. Preparations for defence are
being pushed night and day, and work
is going on without ceasing on ths
Notifications all over the island. Ths
Spanish officials here claim that il
60, 600 mon were needed to attack
Havana by land and seH when the war
broke out, at least 100, 600 men will be
required to attack the Cuban capital
now, in view of the new and
strengthened fortiticationa and also
because the so.called cultivation
zone' has been extended to Rincon,
Calagarar, Bejucal, &C., which ara
inside of the lines of defenees row,
thus, it is claimed, making Havana
| Spanish SehaHtopol.
In spite OF this outwardly chesrful
aspect of affairs. bitterly anxious feel
ingH exist. People go SO far as to
charge Senior Moret, the former
| being traitor and having "Sold Cuba
| to the United States. y This causes
| discomfort to prevail, and. il the
Spanish fleet does not arrive here be-
fore food becomes really scarce, torribls
rioting may be reported.
| There are hardly any business trans
actions and the city looks deserted,
| there being few people on the Streets
Nearly all remain at home, excepting
| when the sound of gun fred from
one OF the forts causes the people to
rush to the windows or into the streets,
and if several shots are fired, thousands
rush to the wharves, to the vicinity OF
the bay and to San Lazaro avenue, to
see if the American fleet is approach
ing.
Although the streets are almost de.
serted, certain poinia of vantage are
occupied by groups of people from
early morning until late at night This
is particularly the case with La Punta.
which is generally crowded from day
break until dark.
The Spaniards comment continually
upon the tactics of the American fleet,
and, naturally, they are very severe in
their criticisms, for they do not under
stand the method OF warfare adopted
Many OF them 60 30 far as TO say the
United States is not prepared for war,
that no plans have been decided upon,
and that the authorities at Washington
are not serious in the steps taken.
Then again, the Spaniards are re,
ioicing greatly at the reported small
amount of damage dore by the Ameri.
can bombardments. and they also pre-
tend to be happy over the seeming
delay which they claim is giving Spair
the opportunity to prepare for more
vigorous defsnGe than she could other
: vice have made. Indeed, the Spanish
military and naval authorities are be
ginning to camfort themselves with
!. the belief that the naval militar,
J power of the United States has beer
exaggerated by the newspapers ant
, that Spain is showing herself abls tt
} fight such giant as the United States
Address from Caiharien and othel
, towns show that scarcity of pro
visions prevails, and Puerto principI
{ reports that many families have lef
that city for the country distyscts.
: No encounters between ts Spanish
. troops and the insurgcuts we recNntl!
t been announced, and the{ ficial report
ouly refer to insignificant skirmishe
. in which the Spauiards, of course
have had ths advantage.
I Only official news has been received
+ here from the province OF Santiago d
Cuba ana Puerto Principe, but 1t i
! known that all the efforts of TIL
Colonial Government to prevail upoi
D the insurgents to come to terms hav
p failed, as everybody expected.