The herald., 1898-04-17

| left Havana. Those remaining there
profess to believe that there will be no
war, or even If there shall be that they
are as safe as il in the United States.
Others say they will have ample time
/ to get away In case there Is any danger.
When we left Havana it was quieter
than New York. The Spaniards believe
the armistice was brought about by the
United States, and that It means the end
of all trouble between the two countries.
Just the same they are concentrating
! their troops in the large seaport towns
/ and are mining all the harbors.
1.-Two large magazines have just been
completed in Moro Castle. The Span
ish officials have a complete list of all
the Spaniards and Cubans between the
ages of IL and As years that can bear
arms and if there is war all will be draft
ed. The troops and officers believe VIC
tory over the Americans absolutely cer-
tain. The volunteers are quiet at pres
ent, but it is understood that they will
fall to and massacre every American
and Cuban the moment war is declared.
I would not give dollar for the life Of
either American or Cuban in Havana
| after the first gun is fired
General Lee is abused and reviled by
all the Spaniards in Havana, and, am
sorry to say, by some of the men who are
American citizens. They claim he ran
away, and contrast General Wood
fords presence in Madrid with Lees
flight as they are pleased to put it,"
How about the insurrectionists? Are
they gaining ground or simply holding
their own?" was asked.
Getting stronger every day." replied
he with emphasis. "They will never give
in and in the next few months, with the
aid of the rainy season, they will make
the Spaniards think they are in hell"
"Where do the Spaniards expect to get
coal?" was asked.
"Ah, 1 am glad you mention it, When
they are asked what they expect to do
for coal or food when war is declared
they fippantly reply, There is plenty at
Key West. We will go and take it, So
confident are they of victory that plant
ers have had lawyers draw up state
ments of their losses, which they say
they will make the United States pay,
when the Yankee pigs get all they want
and sue for mercy
Il heard one man, who is very prom
inent and who represents the belief of
the most intelligent citizens, say: There
is not a soldier in the Yankee army or
American on board their ships that will
fight. They do not know what fight is
and the soldiers are not Of the same sort
as the kind in history"
"Will Weyler come back in the event
of WARP"
Undoubtedly. He is looked on now as
the great national hero. He will un-
Questionably return to carry out his
work Of murder If there is war, and am
not sure but he may come to provoke
war.
'"The sufferings of the reconcentrados
have not been exaggerated, though
the numbers who have succumbed may
have been. 1t is terrible spectacle
When the poor victims die their skele-
ton-like bodies are stripped of their fill
thy rags and thrown into trenches The
horrible scene cannot be described, l
shall never forget it, and God grant that
may never again see such a sight. All
l have to say Is, may God help poor
Cuba"
A Spanish Victory
| HAVANA. April 16, 10 a. m.-The day
| opened in its usual quiet manner. The
newspapers continue their characteris-
tic comments upon the crisis
The Diario de la Marina in an editorial
headed "The First Victory" SAYS:
Spain has won the first victory from the
United States by making them come
upon ground desired by the Spanish
The victory is due to the action Of the
Liberal government in showing the
world that Spain has tried to avoit
bloodshed, but that if provoked, she |.
ready to fight and that all the rights
are on her side.'