Evening star., 1898-07-14
GUARDED BY CHAINS
Blanco Has Stretched Them Across
Havana Harbor.
UNDER WATER BETWEEN THE SHORES
Line of Torpedoes Also Placed in
Similar, Position.
SEASON FOR HURRICANES

NEW YORK, July 14.-The Herald prints
today a dispatch from special ecrre-
spondent as follows:
KEY WEST, Fla, Observation-Disclosures
story from the city of Havana reaches me
today, brought out by Jose Bociiino
Blanco. who arrived here this morning on
an auxiliary cruiser which had been doing
blockade duty in front of that city.
Blanco who is a bright, intelligent youth,
is a sailor and the son of a pilot. For a
long time he was employed by the Cuban
jLnta and landed most of the filibustering
expeditions on the north coast of Cuba.
He has recently been boatman in Ha-
vana harbor, at the same time constantly
watching an opportunity to make his
escape from his Spanish employers.
According to the young mans story the
lonS-sought opportunity to leave Havana
came last Monday morning, when at 6
O'Clock he put off from the beach alone in
a small rowboat. He appears not to have
been detected until he was well off shore,
when several shots from the land batteries
we're fired after him. Being such a small
mark on the water none of the shots took
effect. and redoubling his efforts with tie
oars and assisted by the strong current he
soon got beyond the range of the Spanish
guns.
Blanco's Plans.
Making for one Of our patroling vessels
he was soon picked up by the Bancroft.
whose officers had witnessed his flight and
fastening to his assistance soon had him
on deck. He was transferred yesterday
afternoon from the Bancroft to a cruiser,
which landed him in Key West this morn
ing.
Blanco tells an interesting story of the
conditions existing in and around Havana
a{ Caofo orfv
keen observer, his report of the prepara-
tons which have been made by General
Blanco along the Cuban coast to repel any
attack by the American fleet Is as interest
ing as 1t is important.
He says any attempt by American ves-
sells to enter the haI bor would be useless,
for the reason that heavy chains extend
under the water across the entrance from
MORO Castle to La Punta. These are
hrmiy fastened on either shore being con-
troled from the Moro fortifications. A
lire of torpedoes also has been placed
across the mouth of Havana harbor The
stme, he says, has been done at the en-
trance to the harbors of Cabanas, Mariel,
Bahia Honda and other places along the
northern coast Of Havana and Pinar del
Rio provinces.
Masked batteries mounting heavy guns
have been placed in several seemingly un-
important ports along the coast against
the dangers of which young Blanco partt-
cularly warns commanders Of the Ameri-
can navy.
In the event of invasion he believes Ba-
hia Honda, which is about fifty miles west
OF Havana, would offer the least resist
ance, 1t is but slightly fortified. 1t has an
excellent harbor, and the country back of
1t is favorable for a march against Ha-
Vana from the rear.
Blanco adds that there are several naval
vessels bottled IN Havana harbor, notably
the Marquiz Ersenada, Conde de Vene-
ditto, Nuova Espana and two others whose
names he cannot recall, together with the
P1nZon the gunboats Flecha, Agula Fill
Pinas and Maga1lanes. Those whose condf-
ton and machinery permit are kept con-
stantly under steam for an emergency The
used as a hospital ship. The merchant
steamers Josefita, Maria Herrera and
Adeia ara Z - bottled up in the harbor
Evaded the Blockade.
Bianco s,~tes positively that the large
Spanish merchant steamers Montevideo
and Santo Domingo ran out of Havana
and evaded the blockade several weeks ago
Both had guns mounted on their decks be-
fore leaving the harbor.
He says the weather In the gulf dur
ing the last forty-eight hours has been ter
rible. the wind from the southwark. which
prevailed, attaining a velocity of more
than forty miles hour and being accom-
panied by heaVy rains. He emphasizes the
TACT that the hurricane season has begun
ana that storms may now be looked for
at any time
hlgh seas are running in the gulf and
the vessels of the bockadfng fleet on the
horth coast, particularly the smaller ONES
have been well shaken up He savs tbat
II the storm has extended to the south side
or cuba, where the Spanish war vesseIs
tnae were recently run ashore now lie
they must have sustained additional dam
age by pounding on the rocks