Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1898-06-29
A REIGN OF TERROR.
Havana May Succumb to Mob
Before the Americans
Take IT
Key West Fla

Key West, Fla, June 27.--1O:5S a. m.
The most authentic and reliable news
yet obtained of the true condition of af-
fairs in Havana was today furnished to a
representative Of the associated Press by
| a British subject who left Havana on
board the British cruiser Talbot and who
arrived here yesterday. He says a reign
of terror exists at the Cuban capital.
Capt.-Gen. BlancO has issued procIa-
nation announcing that any one daring
to express an unfavorable opinion of, or
suspected of being dissatisfied with the
present policy of the government. will be
summary shot without trial or investi-
cation.
This proclamation, it appears. caused dis
satisfaction among the members Of the Or
den publico, or police force, who threat
ened to revolt if full rations were not
served out to them. Some trouble was
expected, as the orden publico is a numer-
Gus and well-armed body of men. The
result today is that the orden publco pa
trolls the city and it's members are them
selves policed, Spanish infantry and artil-
lery soldiers mounting guard over them at
every corner.
Famine, it seems, is imminent and the
stories of the arrival of supplies at Ha-
vana via Bata bano are pronounced to be
untrue. The informant Of the Associat-
ed press thinks Havana cannot possibly
hold out six weeks longer.
The city is pronounced to be panic
stricken, its inhabitants expecting every
moment to be bombarded by the Ameri-
can fleet as they realize that Capt. Gen.
Blanco's attitude releases the United
States from the obligation of giving the
customary bOmbardment notice.
Riots are daily expected at Havana, as
the troops are suffering from hunger and
the volunteers are seeing their wives and
children dying of want. Under such con-
dltlonS the captaln-generaI cannot much
longer keep the military forces in check
and rebellion is likely to devastate Ha-
wanna before the city is captured by the
Americans
Capt.-Gen. Blanco admits that the stu
alton 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 occurs.
Senior Galban Rio, a prominent Span
ish merchant the refugee continues in
his statement to the Associated press. had
5000 bags of -four hidden at Gueniados,
suburb OF Havana, and was retailing
1t TO the public. Gen. ArOlas. the mill
tary governor of Havana, was informed
that Senior Galban's trucks had traces
of fresh flour upon them, and he caused
lIlc NtIllCltS u ne 1OHOWeO. ne store
being thus disclosed, it was seized and
distributed among the ravenous soldiers.
Referring to the strength OF the Span
ish forces, the Briton says there are 12O.-
600 men under arms at Havana, but that
the great majority of them are ready to
surrender rather than die of hunger.
In conclusion the gentleman says he
credits the report that the gunners at Nor
TO castle and at other Spanish batteries
were taken from foreign warships. and he
says the consuls, including Mr. Gollan.
the British representative, are strong
Spanish sympathizers. British Vice-Con-
sui Arastegoi, he continues, is a Spaniard
by birth and reporter for La Lucha. the
mouthpiece Of the government Mr. Col
Ian, the British consul-general, he further
remarks, gave a 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 ener-
getic protests of the Englishmen to the
British foreign office, and to the gov
ernor of jamaica the Talbot will shortly
return to Havana with Mr.. Collan's sue
ceSSOr.