The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1898-04-27

Key West. Fla, April 2I-There are
fires on the line Of the Cuban coast as far
along as the American ships have palrolled.
Large areas are apparently covered by each
conflagati On. The smoke rises sometimes
In great white clouds; sometimes In dense
black columns.
The fires are so far inland that 1t Is i'm
possible to tell what is burning. but as the
woods and fields are very dry at this season
Of the year, the probabilities are that they
have caught fire. although they may have
been lighted by the Cuban Insurgents or
the Spaniards for purposes Of their own.
It has been surmised that the Spaniards
have already begun to burn all Cuban
towns in anticipation of defeat, or for re-
vsnge against the insurgents, but .here is
no way in which to learn positively
whether such is the case.
However, as the country has been pretty
we'll devastated by the SpaIiards In the
past three years, there are not many
houses left to burn, and tho presumption
isstrongly against such theory.
At 10 o'clock on Tuesday morning there
were In plain sight, four separate fires.
To the far east there vera twowhitc clouds
not far apart but evidently arising from
different sources
The coast line was almost lost to sight
mt this point, and it was estimated that the
fires must hav1 been seen at Matunzas
Province. probably in the vicinity of Cor
ral Neuvo and Melinos. two small towns
.inland, and not far to the wet from the
city ofIMstanzas.
10 the west, and back SOME distance
from the shore, was tremendous fire
which must have spr2al over tho country
for mile. The smoke was black and
kept spreading to the westward. The To-
ton must have bsan very close 10 tho
town CT Gunabe, which is situated about
four miles back from tho sea, on little
river, or about twelve miles from Havana.
, Still further toward the enst another
column OF smoke could be made out, and,
d our yacht drew nearer, 1t beeame ap-
parent that tho fire WAS within tcnr OF
i've miles OF Havana, and in very close
proximity to GuannblGoa, on tho other side
Of Havana
Close down to the shore was yot another
cloud Of smoke, although not Of such di-
msnsion rs those already mentioned.
London, April 27.-Accordlng to dos
patch received here to-day from Madrid
the Spanish Minister OF Marine, Admira
Bermojo. received cipher message from
the Spanish Admiral ia command at Ma
Mia, Admiral Montoio, announcing that
inter taking the measures necessary to or
ganize the naval dcfences OF Manila AM
Cavitc he was about to sail with hi
squadron to take upa position and nwei
She coming of the United States fleet.
Tho Spanish Minister Of Marine the dc
spatch continues, forthwith comm unica
tod with Premier Sagasta, who summoned
the minister for war, General Correo. I'll
three Ministers held conference. Short
Dy afterward another despatch arrive,
from tho Captain General of tho Philii
pine Island, detailing the military meas
lures he is taxing to support the action [
the Spanish squadron and TO defend Ma
Mia, Cavito and other places agnins
AmGli;al attempts to land in combine
ton with tito insurgents.
The ncws soon reached the club and tn
newspaper. 1t created all immense sol
sation
The Minister Of Marine expressed the BIZ
10 chat tho United Stato5 'Quadro
wuul,! r u@h Manila in about sixty hour
A battle therefore, is expected in abol
three days,
\ Tho naval mon hero who are acquainte
with the Philippine Islands believe tn
Spanish squadron will take up postillol
near Caylte. so as TO be supported by Il
batteries there and ut MOnila
Key West Fla, April 27.-Tho lit
Spanish steam coaster, A. Bolivar trie
last night. to run into Cardcnas harbo
under the guns Of tho Terror.
The monitor fred small shot across h
bows and hove her to.
A prize crew wa put aboard and the D.
trot b ought hor hero since this NOR
ing.
Kings on, Jamaica, information hi