The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-06-28
Reign of Terror Said to Have Been
Created by Proclamation Issued
by Captain General BIanco.
NO CRITICISM IS PERMITTED
DISSATISFIED PERSONS THREAT
ENED WITH SUMMARY DEATH.
People Dying of Starvation and Even
FOOd-Expert Gunners at Work.
Copyright, 1898, by the Associated Press.)


KEY WEST, Fla. June 27.-The most au-
thentic and reliable news obtained of the
true condition of affairs in Havana was to-
day furnished to a representative of the
Associated Press by British subject who
left Havana on board the British cruiser
Talbot and who arrived here yesterday.
He says reign of terror exists at the Gu
ban capital Captain General Blanco has
issued a proclamation announcing that any
one daring to express an unfavorabe opin-
ion of, suspected of being dissatisfied
with the present policy of the government
will be summarily shot without trial in
vestigation. This proclamation, it appears,
caused dissatisfaction among the members
of the Orden Publico, or police force of
Havana, who threatened to revolt If full
rations were not served to them Serious
trouble was expected as the Orden Publico
is a numerous and well-armed body of men.
The result is that the Orden Publco to-day
patrols the streets and the members are
themselves policed. Spanish infantry and
artillery soldiers mounting guard over them
at every corner.
Famine, it seems, is imminent, and the
stories of arrival of supplies at Havana via
Batabano are pronounced to be untrue. The
informant of the Associated Press thinks
Havana cannot possibly hold out six weeks
longer. The city is pronounced to be pam
ic-stricken, its inhabitants expecting every
moment to be bombarded by the American
fleet as they realize that Captain General
Blanco's attitude releases the United States
from the obligation of giving the customary
bombardment notice. Riots are daily ex-
pected al Havana, as the troops are suffer-
ing from hunger and the volunteers are
seeing their wives and children dying of
want. Under such conditions the captain
general cannot much longer keep the mil
itary forces in check, and a rebellion is like
ly to devastate Havana before the city is
captured by the Americans.
Captain General Banco admits that the
situation is desperate He recognizes, it
is pointed out, his inability to control his
troops, goaded by hunger, much longer, and
he is reported to have said that he will
never leave Havana alive, as he is prepared
to take his own life when the outbreak oc-
ours.
senior Galban, prominent Spanish mer-
chant, the refugee continues in his state
ment to the Associated Press, had 5000 bags
of flour hidden at Guedinos, suburb of
Havana, and was retailing it to the public.
General Arolas the military governor of
havana, was informed lildl oeuOT 1dlUdll
trucks had traces of fresh flour upon them,
and he caused the vehicles to be followed.
The store being thus disclosed, it was
seized and distributed among the ravenous
soldiers.
Referring to the strength of the Spanish
forces, the British subject says there are
13o3O0 men under arms at Havana, but the
great majority are willing to surrender
rather than die of hunger. In conclusion,
the gentleman says he discredits the re-
ports that the gunners at MORO Castle and
at other Spanish batteries were taken from
foreign war ships, and he says the consuls,
including Mr.. Gollan, the British repre-
sentative, are strong Spanish sympathizers.
British Vice Consul Arastego. he continues,
is a Spaniard by birth and a reporter for
La Lucha, a mouthpece of the government.
Mr.. Gollan, the British consul general, he
further remarks, gave dinner on the
Queens birthday at which all the guests
were Spaniards, and three British subjects,
prominent socially and financially at Ha-
vana 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 that as a result of the energetic
protests of the Englishmen to the British
foreign office and to the governor of ia
maica, the Talbot will shortly return to
Havana with Mr.. Gollan's successor.