The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1898-07-14
BLANCO TRIED SUICIDE.
10 Havana Refugee Reported at
Key West.

Key West, Fla, July 13.-According
to advices received here today from
Havana Governor General Blanco at
tempted to commit suicide when he
learned beyond doubt that Admiral
CerYera's squadron had been annihi-
lated.
Long before the admiral's dash out of
Santiago harbor all Havana had been
Boosting of his ability to outwit the
Americans and when misleading des-
patches gave the impression that he had
eluded the American fleet the demon
stration of joy in the Cuban capital par
took of the nature of festival.
When the truth came it was discred-
tied until definite confirmation from
Madrid no longer left room for hope.
Gloom settled upon the city, all gayeties
were stopped and every pubic and many
private buildings were hung with creme
and other black draperies. Blanco was
in his palace when the intelligence
reached him and he became almost
frienzied.
He was closeted with his staff and
Gen. Arolas of the Spanish forces, dis
cussing the news when he made the at
tempt on his life. After struggle he
was subdued and disarmed but the
shock was so severe that he was pros
trated and compelled to keep to his bed
for several days. When he arose his
first order was to prohibit any food sup
plies to leave Havana for the interior
towns where the distress is most poig-
nant and where men are starving daily.
This and other valuable information
was brought by Jose Pauline Blanco
who indignantly repudiated a suggestion
of kinship with the governor general.
He says he is loyal Cuban and escaped
to avoid the necessity of fighting against
his cause, as every male on the island who
is able to bear arms is being pressed
into the Spanish service. The United
States gunboat Bancroft was stationed
six miles out and he rowed to her, the
Cojimar batteries, east of Havana, firing
two shots at him when he was observed
passing beyond the prescribed limits
The Bancroft transferred him to another
vessel and he was brought here where
the local junta will care for him. The
sailors of the two American ships made
up liberal money subscription for him
and gave him some new clothing.
Blaneo says the living conditions in
Havana are constantly growing worse,
the greatest distress necessarily falling
on the Cubaus, because nearly all the
food is seized for the troops Of these
there are about 70, COO in the city, consist
ing of volunteers, modified troops, mil
itia and regulars. Their rations are
largely rice and be~As without bacon.
Jerked beef, Bianco says, sells for SOC a
T0I1nd broad of 7Onar oua1itu for, S0o Ior6
81, meat 75c, corn meal, 25c and rice soc.
Shark food is eagerly sought and the day
before Blanco left the city one shark
caught in Havana harbor sold for $13 So
Those of the reconcentrados who have
sufficient influence with the dispensing
authorities sometimes contrive to get
one wretched meal a day, but the others
starve and it is no uncommon thing, says
Blanco, to see persons drop dead in the
streets.
Even among Spaniards, starvation is
rapidly sapping their loyalty and large
numbers of them are banding together
awaiting the first American attack on
Havana as signal Tor revolt. The gro
Gerry and provision stores are empty and
the only articles ON the Havana wharves
are about thousand barrels of cement.
wet and useless. Only liquor is to be
had cheaply.
Work on the defences continues with
tireless vigor. Two lines of cables bear
ing torpedoes have been strung across
the harbnr from the city side to Moro
castle and the same has been done in the
bay OF Mariel where, it was reported in
Havana, American troops are to be
landed. Sand battery No. 2, east of
Havana, has lately mounted six inch
guns in the extreme eastern side of the
battery commanding the coast line and a
few days ago sent two shots ct the May
Hover, which had been cruising close in
shore, supposedly out of range. New
masked batteries are also being built
along the shore
Blanco further reported that three
weeks ago the Spanish steamers Monte
video and Santo Domingo crept out of
the harbOr at midnight with all lights
out and safely got through the blockade.
The Spanish ships now in the harbor, he
says, are the gunboats Condo Venadito,
Marquise de la Ensenada, Nueva Espana,
Filipino and Nanez Pinson, several of
which are unfit for service. The guns
have been removed from the cruise.
Alfonso XII and used for shore bate
ries, and the cruiser has been converted
into hospital ship. There are also in
the harbor humber of smaller warships
OF the nature of converted yachts. All
these vessels, except the Alfonso XII
are always ready to move at short
notice.
The merchant steamers Josefa. Adela
and Maria HePrera are also in the har-
Dor