The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1898-09-07
HAVANA'S HATE DYING
Americans May be Hated. But Never
Again Despised

Copyright, 1898, by New York Journal
New York, Sept. 6.-Stephen B. Crane in
a special correspondence 10 the New York
Journal from Havana says:
Conditions in this interesting city are
much better than anybody on our side
! has supposed. The people await the com
ing of the commission with a rather brave
steadines when you come to remember
! that they will not concede for a moment
! that Havana itself was ever in the re-
/ hottest danger of being captured by the
/ Americans.
| The new condition of tranquility has
| been established by the city newspapers.
which are printing Spanish news from
Santiago Porto Rico, and Manila, de-
of the temperance and justice of the
Americans, as well of their courage and
/ proves.
When l was landed here 1t was diff
cult 70 Withstand the scowls that one
met everywhere, particularly from Span
ish officers. who at that time were all
| eXaggerating their gaits and generally
improving and rearranging their fronts -
That has now changed for the better.
and one can now inhabit the hotels. cafes
and streets without meeting any particu-
lar offensive looks.
Even some good manners have been
publicly exploded by the police. What
might be called correspondent's corral
was established out in the farbor. and
nine birds futtered therein. a certain
night one escaped and was trying his
wings in Havana when the police swooped
down upon him. 1t is said that the air
Of distinguished consideration that sur
rounded the incident was beyond words.
Spectators informed me the next morning
that at late hour they had left the
drinking cognac with almost supernatural
courtesy in the Cafe Ingleterra
1t becomes obvious that as time goes
on many officials Of many kinds here are
arriving at the old Porto Rico proposition
OF playing both ends against the middle.
This is n tremendous change for the Span
ish officials.
The Spanish merchant, however has
supreme admiration for the Americans as
a customer. He will wait for him and
give him a welcome in which Peninsula
patriotism plays no part.
There are four sunboats in the harbor.
NIL. with chmrdlhxiftrkc-sch mrfdlw--uo
besides the emaciated cruiser Alfonso
XIII. with no engines and no guns. The
gunboa,s have been very useful IN this
war. but really they are boats that could
have steamed out and destroyed the block
ade at any time since our heavy ships
have been away 10 Santiago. That is 70
say. they could nave done 50 II their
engines had been al right: but one cant
tell whether i was case OF boilers or
Incompetence.
Their guns are all equivalent to six
and twelve Founders. and they could have
wiped the ocean with ten or dozen
converted COW boats Il the Spaniard was
only 4 sailor, and II the American was not
such q fine sailor
L IS in the harbor where the war has
marked Havana. The harbor - a sound
less vacancy save for the gu-boats. In
the streets the change ha.s not been so
great Ths ca5men charge fftv cents
where once they charged thirty cents.
and he commercial streets are dun. but
IL IS on the water front where havoc
has been wrought
abou, as known. TIE stap.es never went
20 really killing prices. II you Limit ire
staples 20 rice, beans and meat TIE
proprietor Of The Hotel Passage tells ne.
however. that az one time he had TO pay
afty cents for piece o; bread as laree
as your aao5 n order % provide LIs
customers Al tire hotel tables. The lux
u-Ies simply passed oEt OF sight. bu: then.
20 deprive the people OF luxuriss. Z 8
not necessary 70 enforce : good block
ade
The spirit Of the people has 10; been