The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1898-03-11

er takes last look at the glistening sides
of the Stately ships, reflected in the dark
blue water, the men-of-war's launches be-
gin TO fit TO and fro. Their whistles
Shrek noisily and the sailors ashore, hear
ing this warning to get aboard, come run
ming down the Quays and tumble into their
tiny craft If there is no officer with them
you can often hear the sailors singing
"chanteys" until the twinkling lights of
the launch are lost in the glare Of cleo
trio illumination that shimmers round the
ship 20 which the men belong.
''Naval or newspaper" is the query
that always follows an introduction now
adays. With so many war" correspond
ents and naval officers in town it is often
hard for the stray tourist or commercial
man to find a bed One can hardly walk
block without meeting either a bluejack
ct marine or an officer. The piazza Of the
hotel where Admiral Siccard makes his
headquarters simply bristles with dark
blue uniforms and white caps from early
morning till late at night. At La Brisa,
the great pleasure resort Of Key West,
where dances are held twice a week in
a hall that looks directly out on the gulf
and its keys, and where, when the music
ceases, you can hear the waves ripping
up against the Brisa' s wooden piles-there
IS always a gallant galaxy from the senior
arm of the service of dark-eyed senoritas
and genuine American girls tripping gayly
over the polished floor with strapping
young cadets or lieutenants who wear the
much-coveted naval beard. The army
barracks also furnishes its contingent of
officers. If war were to be declared sud
denly or if the feet were Unexpectedly
ordered away on one of the Brisa dance
nights, there would ensue a scene very
similar to that which made the ball on the
eve Of the battle of Waterloo so memoir
able
With this influx of naval and newspaper
element, Cayo Hueso as Key West is call
ed by most of the residents. is reaping a
harvest of shekels as well as Of excite
ment.
When the boats from Havana come in
about half the population is on hand to
meet them. A sea of black and white
faces is upturned to the passengers at the
deck rail- What news?" is shouted in
Spanish and English from a score Of
throats. "All is quiet" is the response
which has always come, up to the time Of
LHlS WTliiNB- Inc sea OF races LutiLS away
and people go back to their homes, NUT
tering: by the next boat we shall hear
of the riot" But the riot in Havana has |
not come, and the little colored bootblacks |
are still shining shoes with peaceful laz- |
mess that bellies the fierce war talk with |
which they regale their customers.
Since the days when northern SOLDIERS |
built a road and a fort here. and then |
waited patiently for the engagement |
which never came, the people of KEY West |
have had no opportunity TO realize how |
essential their island is to the commence
ment or continued existence of war. The
martial conditions which now prevail
would excite many a larger city ito a sta
of ferment, and il is safe to say that
IF the alleged international difficulty dlqes
''a-borning' it viii be months befo1&Cayo
Hueso resumes its normal peacefuWEss.
Havana. March 10.-The American yacht
Anita, with a congressional party on
board arrived here today.