The times., 1898-06-06
REJOICING IN MADRID
The City Hears of the Merrimac
Incident.
THE AUTONOMIsTIC FARCE
DEGREES Regulating the Exporta-
tiOn and the Importation of Food
Run the Observation-Disclosures Cor
respondents Are Expelled.

Madrid. June 5.-The city is in state
of wild rejoicing over the sinking of the
American ship Merrimac in the mouth of
Santiago harbor.
kilograms from Santiago were read in
the chamber OF deputies last evening. and
their optimistic contents were welcomed
with the utmost enthusiasm.
A dispatch from Havana represents La
Lucha in an article on the general situa-
tion as saying:
''Rapproehement Of Senors Romero.
Robledo and CASTELAR, and Gen. Weyler
is now necessary in order 10 create a
strong party to replace the present weak
one, which is sure to fall
The correspondent of the HeraldO, in
Havana. teiegraphs that the autonomist
government has ratified a decree prohib-
fting all commerce between the Island of
Cuba and the United States, and au-
thorizing trading with neutral countries.
The government has also prohibited the
export of food stuffs and sugar, except
through ports where such products are
imported. II has also been decided 10
issue a circular to the foreign consuls. re-
Questing them to inform their respective
governments that food stufts will be al
lowed to enter into Cuba free of duty
and viii bring high prices.
In consequence of the decision to pro-
hibit the export OF food stuffs and sugar
the authorities in Havana have refused
permission to the British steamer Myrtle
dene 10 load cargo of sugar to be dis
charged at a United States port or des-
tined for such port.
The Spanish gunboat Ardilla has arriv-
ed at Havana, having run the blockade.
A steamer having on board 800 head of
cattle has also been successful in evad-
ing the bloekading ships and has landed
her cargo.
Havana, June 5-Captain General
Blanco has issued a decree prohibiting
the stay in Cuba of all foreign corre-
spondents. who the decree declares, viii
be regarded as spies and their cases sub
mitted to the military code. This is in
terprete6 10 mean that they will be shot.
Gen Blanco has dismissed from office
Senor Armando, secretary of the court
at Santiago de Cuba This ac -on is taken
as a punishment for Senor Armado's al
leSeQ assistance 10 the insurgents ana Ms
having appropriated TO his own or other
improper uses the sum OF $4,000 belong
ing TO the public funds.
The admiralty authorizes it on official
information that the American collier
Merrlmac was sunk by a Spanish torpedo
at the mouth OF Santiago harbOr. The
sunken hulk lies fortunately just outside
the entrance and does not block the chan
mel The admiralty officials consider San.
tiago impregnable and are confident that
Admiral Cervera can hold out until re-en-
forcements arrive.
Admiral SIMPSONS version Of the
bom6ardment- San Juan is regarded
throughout Spin as pure invention.
FL Liberal in an article under the cap,
tion "A AIendacious Admiral, says tha'
his stories viii not be credited ever
nj Washington. Rejoicings continue
throughout Spain over the signal victory
nj anish
,onale alone of all the Madrid
take a sober view Of the re
- tions at Santiago. The Ameri
hot seek an entrance to Santiago