The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1898-05-21
BLOCKADE
Of CUBAN
PORTS.
Its Weight Beginning to
be Felt at Havana.
Business in the City Almost at
a Complete StandstiII.
FeyeriSh Desire Among the People
10 Leave the Island.
Report That Santa Cruz Del Sur, on the
cnu{h noan4 nS T1unr4n Opino;no
FeVeriSh Desire Among the People
10 Leave the Island.
Report That Santa Cruz Del Sur, on the
South Coast of Puerto Principe,
Has Fallen Into Hands
of Insurgents.

HAVANA, May (via Vera Cruz,
May 49, Copyrighted, 1898, by the
Associated Press THE weight of the
blockade is beginning to be felt here.
Business is almost at complete stand
still. and there is hardly any move
ment in the streets, which have a sort
of holiday appearance The parks are
almost deserted, and there are very
few people to be seen on the Plaza de
Arms at night, although the band plays
there, and everything possible is done
to keep up the spirits of the people.
There is a feverish desire to leave
the island, and over 5000 people are
booked at the office of the consignees
of the French steamer Lafayette. which
will leave here to-day for Vera Cruz.
Mexico with this letter, which will be
posted at that port. In fact, an actual
panic now prevails. while when the
blockade commenced there was a feel
ing almost of serenity among all
classes. But things have changed
The grim earnestness of the Americans
is steadily forcing itself upon the minds
of even the most hot-headed Spanish
officers, though the latter are working
vigorously at the Notifications. which
have been considerably strengthened
and improved since the war began.
The Spaniards, it must be admitted
are preparing to fight as desperately
as possible under the circumstances.
Many families without means. desir-
ing to emigrate. are enedavoring to
borrow money from more fortunate
people in order to pay their passage.
But it is impossible to see how their
condition will be improved to any con-
siderable extent, even if they do decide
on leaving the blockaded city, for they
have been rendered penniless, and
their chance of earning a livelihood in
any foreign country is very slim.
There is considerable feeling against
the men who are DESTROYS of leaving
the city, and posted on the corners of
houses all over the town you can see
such notices as follows:
Here are sold women's shirts for
men who are abandoning the island of
Cuba"
There has been no disorder in this
city or in the provinces so far as
known, though it is true people here
are entirely ignorant of what is trans
piring at Santiago. no mail having been
received from there for some time past,
and the cable being in the hands of the
Government and almost exclusively
devoted to further military operations,
which are about limited to evacuating
the interior towns and corrugating the
Spanish forces at or about the large
cities
It is reported here that Santa Cruz
del Sur, on the south coast Of Puerto
Principe, has fallen into the hands of
the insurgents. If this is the case. the
latter now have a port at which their
friends can land arms, ammunition and
supplies without interference.
other important events are said to
have transpired at Santa Cruz del Sol.
The officers of the Spanish gunboat
Cuba Espanola have reached Sancti
Spiritus. Province of Santa Clara, by
land, and are on their way to Tunas,
and from there by coasting steamer to
Cienfuegos. One report has it that he
commander of the Cuba Espauola
burned or blew up his vessel in order
to save it from falling into the hands
OF the insurgents. Another version Of
the affair says the gunboat may have
been captured by the insurgents.
Confirmation has been received here
that the Spanish troops have evacuated
Jiguno and Bayamo, in the province Of
Santiago de Cuba, and that they have
been occupied by the insurgents. The
Spaniards say the troops destroyed
those two towns before leaving them.
but this is not believed. The troops
from these places retreated upon Man
zanillo and some of them have reached
other coast towns by this time
Although the prices of provisions here
are very high, it is calculated that there
| is food enough obtalnaDle TO last about
| five months, because, it is claimed con-
siderable stores were laid in before the
blockade and no provisions are allowed
| to be sent from here to the interior
towns Eggs cost 10 cents each, a glass
of milk costs from 20 to % cents, and
| the size of the loaf of bread has besn
reduced to one-half. This, however,
was done before the blockade began.