The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1898-04-24
FLEETS ARRIVAL DEE HAVANA


Havana, April 22-s:30 p. m.-(Delayed
IN transmissi on.)-At 4:50 o'clock this (B'T1-
day. afternoon, the samephore signaied
that fleet had been sighted on the east
ern side Of the island. 1t was said to be
without any colors to indicate its ma
tionality.
From the front Of Moro castle the cor
respondent of the Associated Press saw
smoke in the distance and soon afterward
he made out three vessels on the horizon.
IA that time La Punta, the fort on the
side opposite MORO castle, was crowded
with curious people, including many la
dies. In addition crowds Of people could
be seen at various points OF vantage, many
Of them gathering on the roofs of houses.
At p. m. the semaphore signaIed that
1t was the United States feet which was
in sight and at 6:15 p. m. a red flag was
run up at the signal station, warning
guns We're fired from MORO castle and
afterward from Cabanas fortress adjoin-
ing it This caused excitement through
out the city, and was the first real note Of
war. When the first signal came from
the shore station, a, British schooner Which
was in the harbor put to sea She was
Immediately followed by the German
steamer Remus. Some time afterward
the American steamer Saratoga put to
sea.
The cannon shots from the fortresses
stirred up the regular troops and volun-
teers throughout Havana and its vicinity,
and there was rush 70 quarters.
The signal guns from the Qualifications
NJ
streets, causing people to rush from the
houses, with the result that all the thor
oughfares were soon crowded with excited
inhabitants.
Captain General Blanco heard the shots
while at the palace, to which place the
generals and commanders of the volun-
teers promptly reported, full of excitement
and warlike enthusiasm. Some time after
ward the captain general, accompanied by
his tsaf. the generals and others. left
the palace and was warmly acclaimed
by the soldiers and the populace. The
general then made a brief, final inspection
of the Notifications, and went to a spot
from which he could see the approaching
feet. There certainly was no sign Of alarm
anywhere. The Spaniards are confident
that Havana is prepared for any eventual
ity, and they have great faith in the
strength Of their forts. batteries, etc, and
in the effectiveness of their heavy artil-
lery. In fact there was a feeling of sat
isfaction at the warlike tremors which
spread everywhere when it was seen that
the hour of battle was apparently ap-
preaching and that the Spaniards were
soon TO give battle to their enemies. Only
those who witnessed the demeanor of the
people military and civilians, can under
stand the enthusiasm which prevailed on
all sides.
As the time passed, more and moro peo-
pie crowded to the spot from which the
fleet could be seen favorably. BY $50 ..
nj. there was great movement of the
masses through all the streets and on adj
the squares. The coffee houses and clubs
were crowded with excited people discuss
ing the arrival of the American warships.
The Spaniards expressed themselves as
anxious to measure arms with the 'in-
vaders," and there was no expression of
doubt as TO the result. Many of the
stores are closed, as their owners and en-
ployes are volunteers and have therefor
been called to the defens of tn island.
As this dispatch is sent, the civil and
military authorities Of Havana are in con-
Bultation at the palace and every pre-
caution possible to the Spaniards has been
taken to guard against a night surprise
and to resist an attack if the lombard
lnent is commenced.
Throughout the evening the scenes of en-
thusiasm continued in the harbor districts,
and San Lazora avenue was full Of people
who shouted defiances at the distant
American fleet, yelling: "Shoot away"
why don't you shoot?" etc. When the
news Of the capture of the Spanish steam
er Bunea Ventura by the United States
cruiser Nashville twenty miles off Key
West reached here, Admiral Manterola.
The Spanish naval commander. wished to
prevent the sailing of the American
steamer Saratoga, but Captain General
Blanco ordered that she be allowed to
sail.
Il was estimated this evening that there
were from $1,000 to $4,000 men under arms
in Havana proper. The district outside of
Havana. at the same time, was held by
tire battalion of engineers.
Everything breathed war. Armed men
were TO be seen on all sides, the batteries
were alive with artillerymen. and car
riages and pedestrians were not permitted
to pass certain places, and outside OF the
Vedado district no movement at all was
allowed.
Scout boats were sent out from the har-
Dor. always in a straight line, and they
were coming and going throughout the
night.
Casting steamers have been forbidden
to leave ports on the north coast of the
island.
General Arolas, the military commander
of Havana. has issued orders for the es-
Enlistment of patriotic committees to
prevent criminal acts in case Of a panic
during the siege. or should the city be
bombarded. The local authorities and the
priests have been appointed on these com
mittees. which viii have full power to pass
sentence upon Iawbreakers and 10 carry
our the sentences imposed. Indeed. the
only thing necessary is 70 notify the in
,erested parties of their crimes and the
sentences imposed upon them. The carry
ing out Of The decisions Of the patriotic
committees will be very prompt.
All doctors, lawyers and professional
men nave been compelled 10 render ser
vice to the government under penalty Of
being most severely dealt with.
NEW YORK TAKES THE PEDRO
St. Louis. April ga special TO the
Post Dispatch from Key West Fla. says:
The. cruiser New York arrived this morn
ing. The steamer she capJsred is the
Pedro not the Alphonso XII