Santa Fe new Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1898-1951, 1898-04-08
FLEET Is NOT READY
Spanish Ships Not Prepared for
Service Torpedo Flotilla Will
Remain at Cape Verde.
MINE CONNECTED TO SHORE
London Electrician Gives Some Positive
Testimony Regarding Destruction ofthe
Maine-Minister Woodford's Action
Considered Warlike.

New York, April s.-A dispatch toda,
to the World from Cadiz, Spain, says:
The report that the Spanish squadron
OF evolution and second fotilla of tor
pedo boats are about to sail for Cuba OF
Porto Rico is absolutely false.
Positive orders have been sent to the
Cape Verde islands for the torpedo
squadron to stay there.
Neither squadron gathering here Is
anything like ready for sea service.
Positive Testimony
Joseph Paul Libbens, the electrician
who supplied the submarine mines to
the Spanish government, cables from
London to the World: The only SUBJ
marine mines supplied to the Spanish
government since l6S6-S7 were manu-
factured under my patents. then sup
piled them with Sc ground mines and rs
bouyant mines, each containing a
charge Of 500 pounds of gun cotton, and
Is electric contact mines to be exploded
either on contact or by service from the
shore, each containing charge of 100
pounds of gun cotton. The mines sent
to Havana would still retain full effec-
tiyeness They will last under water an
indefinite period. AS to the contradic-
tory assertions OF the Spanish legation
at Washington and General Weyler,
that there are no submarine mines in
Havana harbor, absolutely affirm that
l shipped the above mines for Havana
and Ferrol in a Spanish ship, the prop
erty of the Spanish government and Of
icered by Spanish naval officers.
My mines are in electrical connection
with the shore, and it is quite impossible
that they could be exploded except by
design. l have not the slightest hesita-
tion in saying that the Maine was delib-
erately destroyed with a 5O0-pound
ground mine invented and supplied by
me. / am satisfied that the explosion
was caused by a ground mine-not a
buoyant mine-for the Havana harbor
is too shallow to admit of the use of the
latter. I am prepared to satisfy by
demonstration to any jury of reasonable
men that this is the true explanation of
the destruction of the Maine.
Exodus Not Yet Begun.
A special to the Commercial Adver-
tiser from Havana today says: The ex-
pected exodus of Americans and others
has not occurred yet, except on small
scale. General Lee and the newspaper
men expect to 60 to Key West on the
Fern and they may leave on Saturday,
but that program is subject to change.
Miss Clara Barton VIII Leave Cuba.
At ceatral headquarters of the Central
Cuban Relief committee in this city, it
was said today that Miss Clara Barton
was expected to leave Cuba with her
nine assistants, in company with Consul
General Lee, tomorrow.
Minister Woodford Will Not Leave Before
Monday.
Madrid, April s.-A calmer feeling
prevails here today. The statement
published in London that United States
Minister Woodford is to leave Madrid on
Sunday is untrue. Minister Woodford
said today that it might be taken as a
fact that no date could be fixed for his
departure until after President McKin-
ley's message had been sent to congress,
and to leave the Spanish capital before
would prejudice the whole case.
Considered Warlike Preparation.
The ministers at Yesterdays cabinet
council considered Minister Woodford's
of the note of the collective
powers warlike, preparation, and, it is
alleged, something else was done which
mas not yet transpired. The greatest
is felt regarding this unknown
subject but rigid silence is maintained.
It Is intimated that the secret matter
'efers to something officially formulated
~ the pope.
Strict Censorship at Havana.
Havana, April S.-Everything is quiet