New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-05-21
CASHMERE BOUQUET
WORKS..

The censor Is more exactirg than ever. and any
news which ne allows to be cabled Is strictly
official.
The Guards yesterday captured q man who
was going out in a small fishing boa; with mail
for the American fleet, and the writer Is In
formed that he was shot the same afternoon
The Pals" organ of the Autonoinist party.
says that great misery prevails at Mttanzas and
al Cardenas and other towns on account OF the
scarcity OF provisions, and the paper adds that
the country people are now in worse condition
than they ever were before.
MISLEADING RUMORS CIRCULATED
All sorts Of misleading rumors are inten-
tionalIy circulated by the Spanish officials here
for their own purposes. and the tales OF Span
ish repulses Of American forces come in at AL
most regular intervals and from nearly every
point about the bOckaded portion OF the coast.
to say nothing OF the stories Of brilliant Spanish
victories which are said to have reached here
from abroad. For instance. to-day rumor.
traced to the palace, said:
The Spanish feet, after heroic defensive bat
tie with an American fleet at Cnvfe Philippine
Islands. lost two vessels and about three hum
dred killed and four hundred wounded, after
which the Spanish officers. refusing TO surren.
der and in order to prevent the Spanish Meet
from falling into the hands OF the Americans,
blew up all the rest of their vessels
The palace report also said the American Meet
at Manila was bombarding tina, city and that
in consequence the Spanish authorities and the
garrison at Manila had retreated into the I'm
terror. Later the following official news" was
published
Spanish fleet has fought heroically with
American fleet at Cayite obrging the Amer
can feet 10 retreat with considerable loss Inc
Spanish losses were also very heavy
OF course, the greatest interest is taken here
in the approaching meeting between the Span
ish and American fleets In these waters The
feet from Spain is expected at al/ost any mo-
men,. is being constantly watch/d for. and day
and night signals are ready II guide 1t safely
into the harbor. II Is expected that the result
Of the battle will decide the war In favor OF the
United States or Spain and II Is Impossible 70
make the Spaniards doubt the eventual triumph
of the yellow and red flag OF their country
THE LAFAYETTE's ARRIVAL.
The French steamer Lafayette arrived here
from Key West on Saturday morning. May o.
and began unloading her cargo and allowed
her passengers TO come on shore. When nearly
all the cargo had been taken ashore the French
Consul and the consignee OF the Lafayette re-
ceived dispa tches from the French Ambassador
at Washington saying compromise arrange
ment had been arrived at with the United states
Government by which the Lafayette had oeen
allowed to enter Havana Harbor. but with
the understanding that Der cargo and passen-
gers were not to be landed. Thereupon the
French Consul and consignee conferred with
Captajp General Blanco and later with the
members OF the Colonial Government, with the
result that permission was obtained to reload
the cargo Of the Lafayette, $50 as to comply
with the desire OF friendly nation France)
without establishing any precedent and reserv-
ing all rights for action in the matter In the
future In any similar case.
In spite OF the lonesome appearance OF the
city previously referred to, the theatres are
open and are generally full. though the absence
Of great numbers OF the better classes or society
is noticed.
The Spanlards recently tried to construct
fort at La Carbamera near Matanzas. but were
prevented from so doing by the fire OF some
American warshps which destroyed the works
every time the Spanish soldiers were seen en-
gagged upon them.
A colonel Of the Civil Guards, Senior Mello
who appears TO have gambled away large sums
Of money belonging to the regiment he COM
manded has gone over from Colon to the IN
surgent ranks.