Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1898-03-07
SHE HAS oNLY FOUR GUNS THAT
ARE DANGEROUS.
sPANlARDs EXPECT ATTACK.
PICKET BOATS ALERT, BOTH INSIDE
. AND OUTsIDE THE HARBOR.
yizcayn in Constant Readiness for
Emergencies-Spani Inquiry a
Mere eForm-SenatOr Proctor
Deeply Impressed by
Misery In Cuba.

Havana, March 5.-Via Key West. Fla.
March s.. AS the conviction becomes set
lied that the court of inquiry will decide
that there was a mine explosion under the
Maine, discussion among American naval
officers and civilians here is prevalent as
to the warlike measures which it is be-
lieved the United States government will
adopt in case the question OF the payment
of indemnity by Spain is overruled. ma
jority believe that American troops will
be landed at some point east of Havana
and the insurgents communicated with,
that the Spanish soldiery will be defeated
or captured in detail, and that. in the
meantime. a. fleet of United States vessels
will blockade if not lombard, Havana.
No one seems to doubt that the reduc-
tion of this city would be comparatively
easy. Four twelve-inch guns-two west
and two east of the city-are the only ones
that are considered dangerous. These are
not likely to be we'll served. while their
emplacements are not modern.
That some Spaniards are of the opinion
that an attack on Havana will be made is
believed to be shown by the abnormal ac-
tivity displayed on board the Vizcaya. The
Associated Press correspondent has the
best naval authority for the statement that
| the Vizcaya is in a constant state of readi-
ness for emergencies and that picket boats
are on the alert, day and night inside the
| harbor. and outside the harbor at night.
Cruisers an Easy Prey.
1t is pointed out that the men-of-war
Vizcaya and Almirante Oquendo might be
caught in a blockade and fall an easy prey
| to a United States fleet. The cruiser Alton
| so XII is without boilers, and would be of
| no account
| All this discussion Of the probability of
war among the Americans and Spaniards
proves nothing. and only shows the state
| of feeling here.
| The conduct OF the Spanish divers who
are investigating the wreck of the Maine
is mystery. Thus far they have not been
i down five hours in the aggregate, and they
show no disposition to make thorough
inquiry.
| 1t is impossible to learn the truth re-
sardng the purpose of the Spanish court
| of inquiry, but it is generally believed that
the divers were sent down for forms
! sake only, and that report will be made
in accordance with instructions from
Madrid. 1t may be that the Spanish div
| ers have discovered that the whole port
| side of the Maine forward is gone, and.
| having so reported, further examination is
deemed unnecessary.
| The work of our own divers hencefor-
ward is to be slow, owing to the ponder
Gus weights to be moved, and the safety
| clamps, nuts and rivets that must be cut.
Proctor May Make Trouble.
Senator Proctor. is likely to make a
speech in the senate on his return that
will have great weight in determining the
future policy of the Limited States. He
is much affected by the suffering that he
found in Matanzas: and highly indignant
at what he calls the "inhumanity of the
course pursued" During visit to Arte-
| misa, this province. he saw thousands Of
| reconcentrados who refused to beg. though
starving. They were evidently Of class
| accustomed to make their living and un-
willing to become paupers. He saw thou
sands of acres of the best tobacco and
banana lands in the world reduced to
waste, with trochas and garrisons at every
village and crossroad. His driver. point
ing to the mountains fifteen miles away
| says: There are plenty of insurgent
| camps there that the Spanish have never
| discovered"
The work of distribution of American re-
lief under Miss Clara Barton. Mr.. Elwell and
| their assistants is, in Senator Proctor S
| Judgment, carefully and effectively carried
| on. The demand is far in excess of the
supply. The supplies expected at Matan-
zas and Sagua la Grande. to be brought
by American cruisers, will afford unspeak-
able relief
Now that the Almirante Oquendo and the
Vizcaya are lying in the harbor. the Span
iards exultingly declare that the city is
| safe: and it is given out officially in the
newspapers that the new arrival is of the
| same size. armament and complement as
the Vizcaya-
More Correspondents Expelled.
Havana. March, 6-In addition to Henri
cente Pardo Suarez, editor of La Repub-
lica, and eleven others have been arrest
ed. making thirteen in all. Eight are in
eel, AZ and five in cell 46, at Cabanas fort
ress. The names of the others are jose
Estrada. E:rnesto Guayabons. who was
| formerly deported: Jose Russo. the lat
ters 15-year-oid son: Manuel Pardo Lopez,
Aribal Enriques. Colombia Francisco Diaz,
who was once deported: Manuel Arencibia,
Pedro Montello. Manuel Nasquez and II
Spaniard whose name is not given: Henri
Laine will be sent North on Wednesday.
L: is officially stated from American
sources. that two or more American cor
respondents will be required to return to
the United States at the same time. The
prisoners are charged with conspiracy. In
all. eighteen are implicated. Eleven. it is
said will he sent out of the country and
seven to the Isle of Pines.
| The day has been cool and beautiful and
observed as a holiday. especially in the
harbor. which was full of boats bearing
visitors to the Vizcaya and the Aimirante
Oquendo.
The court of inquiry was not in regular
session. but conference was held in the
morning with Ensign Powelson, and two
divers went over their former testimony
with plans of the wreck and charts OF
the Maine before the explosion. The gov
: ernmert has finished with the services OF
the wrecking tug Right Arm. which will
. leave for the North tomorrow. Captain
McGee commanding. Haggerty and Ever.
EFT. the principal divers: will remain here
quartered on the tug Merritt.
The divers worked little to-day. the gov
ernment men not at all. as they were sore.
ly in need of rest. Diver Olsen. from the
cruiser New York was down more last
week than any record for such work.
| NAVY YARD ACTIVITY.