The herald., 1898-04-08
THE EXODUS BEGUN
THE Little Mascotte Crowded With
Americans Leaving Cuba

HAVANA, April 1.-THE Mascotte left
this afternoon with IA passengers. Many
persons are holding back to the last avail
able hour, on the strength of favorable
peace rumors.
ARRIVED AT KEY WEST.
KEY WEST, Fla, April THE Plant
line steamer Mascotte, which arrived to-
night, brought so Cubans. None came
ashore. Several hundred who were wait
ing here went north, despite the lack OF
accommodations.
The Mascotte was to have returned to
Havana Immediately, but it was decided
taht she should proceed to Tampa to re-
Geve the crush of northbound travel.
The Mangrove left Havana this after
noon with a number Of Americans.
Conditions here have undergone de-
cided change within the last twelve hours
in consequence of the Washington ad-
vices as to Consul General Lees approach
ing departure, and the firm attitude of the
administration, from the disappointment
and chagrin that followed yesterdays pa
cific advices from Madrid. The latest
news has aroused the bellicose spirit to
greater degree than ever before. The
naval men believe that conflict Is ques-
tion of few days only, and that the long
delay has only increased the ardor OF the
men who were constantly in readiness for
a call to quarters. The enthusiasm is es-
pecially marked on board the flagship New
York When the news was conveyed there
this afternoon Captain Sampson main
tanned his customary reticence, but the
other officers were confident that it meant
hostilities.
The most significant development is the
order lust received from the navy depart
ment on the plan of action. These pro-
vide that in the event of blockade Of Ha-
vana or Matanzas, the first line Of battle
nearest the shore would be composed of
torpedo boats and tugs, the second Of
cruisers, such as the Marblehead, De-
troit. Cincinnati and Nashville, and the
sunboat Helena and the third of the
battleships Indiana and Iowa, and the flag
shin New York. In case of an attack on
the American fleet by any small vessels.
these will be engaged by the first two lines,
the plan being to afford the greatest pro-
lection to the battleships from the tor
pedo boats of the enemy Should the at
tack be by superior force, such as the
Vizcaya or the Almirante Oquendo, the
attacking vessels to be engaged by the
battleships. While it is accepted here as
a foregone conclusion that this plan will
be executed should necessity arise, it
comes from the department more as a sug-
gestion than as an order, and Captain
Sampson has full authority to vary the
plan or ignore it at will.
The receipt of the suggestions, however.
Is taken as the best indication Of the ap-
proach of the long-awaited conflict.
ADVISED TO LEAVE
NEW YORK, April 7.-Stephen Barton,
chairman OF the central Cuban relief COM
mittee, eaid today he had received a cable
gram from Miss Clara Barton, president
of the National Red Cross society, who is
at present in Cuba, saying that she had
been advised by Consul General Lee to
leave the island at once, as 1t would be
uuwise for her or any other American to
stay later than Friday.
Miss Barton said nothing of the cohdi-
tion of affairs in Cuba.
BEFORE THE STORM
HAVANA, via Key West, April I've
may Of course be on the verge of mo-
mentous events, but anything more placid
tion of affairs here It would be Impossible
to imagine.
So absolute is the dearth of real news
while waiting the action of congress tha,
a commonplace accident last night in the
cafe ngletarre was made the subject Of a
government dispatch from the colonia
cabinet to Washington. One of the CORE.
spondents Of the Associated Press wher
rising from his chair dropped his revolve,
from his pocket. exploding cartridge
Before people could realize the triviality
of the incident there was great excitement
People on the scene soon laughed at the
occurrence, but wild tales that Consul
General Lee had been assassinated spread
through the city and We're believed by SC
many that the colonial government felt
called ON to send message to Washing
tqn denying 4thst.there was any truth in
IN Eprnor, Gst.;Tee was not in the cafe