The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1898-06-27
POLICE UNDER GUARD.
Starvation and Panic Prevail
in Havana.

copyright, 1898, by Associated Press.)
Key West, Fla, June 27-The most
authentic and reliable news yet obtain
ed of the true condition of affairs in
Havana was today furnished to a rep
resentative of the Associated Press, by
a British subject who left Havana on
board the British cruiser Talbot and
who arrived here yesterday. He says
reign of terror exists at the Cuban
capital. Captain General Blanco has
issued a proclamation announcing that
any one caring to express an unfavor-
able opinion of, or suspected of being
dissatisfied with the present policy of
the government will be Summarily shot
without trial or investigation. This
proclamation, it appears, caused dis
satisfaction among the members of the
police force, who threatened to revolt
if full rations were not served out to
them. Some trouble was expected as
the police is a numerous and we'll arm
ed body of men. The result today is
that the city police patrol and its
members are themselves policed, Span
ish infantry and artillery soldiers
mounting guard over them at every
corner.
Famine it seems is imminent and the
stories of the arrival of supplies at Ha-
vana, via BatabanO, are pronounced to
be untrue. The informant of the As
ISOLATED Press thinks Havana can not
possibly hold out six weeks longer.
The city is pronounced to be panic
stricken it's inhabitants expecting ev-
cry moment to be bombarded by the
American fleet as they realize that
CAPTAIN General BlancO's attitude re-
leases the United States from the obli-
cation of giving the customary bonn
bardment notice.
Riots are daily expected at Havana,
as the troops are suffering from hunger
and the volunteers, seeing their wives
and children dying of want. Under
such conditions, the captain general
can not much longer keep the military
forces in check and a rebelllOn is nkely
to devastate Havana before the city
is captured by the Americans.
CAPTAIN General Blanco admits that
the situation is desperate. He recog-
nizes, it is pointed out, his 1napllty TO
control his troops, goaded by hunger,
much longer, and he is reported to nave
said that he will never leave Havana
alive, as he is prepared to take his own
life when the outbreak occurs
Senior Gallon, prominent Span
ish merchant, the refugee continues IN
his statement to the Associated Press,
had 5000 bags of flour hidden at Gueni-
ADDS a suburb of Havana, and was re-
failing it to the public. Gen. Arolas,
the military governor OF havana, was
informed that Senior GalbanS trucks
had traces of fresh flour upon them and
he caused the vehicles to be brought
forward. The store thus being dis
closed, it was seized and distributed
among the ravenOuS soldiers
Referring to the strength of the Span
ish forces, the Briton says there are
10000 men under arms at Havana, but
ready to surrender rather than die of
hunger.
In conclusion the gentleman says he
credits the report that the gunners at
MORO castle and at other Spanish bat
teries were taken from foreign war
ships and he says that the consuls in
GLIDING Mr.. Gollan, the British repre-
sentative, are strong Spanish sympa-
thizers. British Vice Consul Araste-
goi he continues, is a Spaniard by birth
and a reporter for La Lucha, the
rnouthpiece of the government. Mr..
Gollan, the British consul general, he
further remarks, gave a dinner on the
queens birthday at which all the guests
were Spaniards and three British SUBJ
jects prominent socially and financially
at Havana, were, it is alleged relegated
by Mr.. Gollan's orders to the forecaStle
of the Talbot, when she left Havana,
because they were Cuban sympathizers.
1t is said as a result of the energetic
protests of the Englishmen to the Brit
ish foreign Office and the governor Of
Jamaica, the Talbot will shortly return
to Havana, with Mr.. Gollan's successor.