Condon globe. (Condon, Gilliam Co., Or.) 189?-1919, 1898-05-26
BLOCKADE IS FELT.
Havana Is Becoming
Alarmed at Its
Effects.
FEyERlSH DESIRE TO LEAVE
The Early Feeling OF Serenity Has Given
Way TO Actual Panic = Five Thou
SAND Booked to Leave on the French
Steamer Lafayette.

Steamer Lafayette.
Havana, May 23.-The weight OF the
blockade Is beginning to be felt here
Business Is almost at standstill, and
there is hardly any movement in the
streets, which have sort of holiday
appearance. The parks are almost de-
serted. and very few people are to be
seen on the Plaza de Asamas at night,
although the band plays there and
everything possible is done to keep up
the spirits Of the people.
There Is feyerish desire to leave
the island, and over 5000 people are
booked at the Office OF the consignees of
the French steamer Lafayette, which
leaves here today for Vera Cruz, Mex
leo, with this letter, which will be
posted at that pert. In fact, an actual
panic now preYailn, while when the
blockade commenced there was a feel
ing Of serenity pervading all classes.
But things have changed, and 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 vigor.
ously at the Notifications, which have
been considerably strengthened since
the war began. The Spanish, it must
be admitted, are preparing to fight as
desperately as possible under the cir
cumstances.
There is considerable feeling against
the men who are desirous of leaving the
city, and posted on the corners OF houses
all over the town you can see notices as
follows:
Here are sold women's shirts for
men who abandon the island of Cuba" "
There has been no disorder in this
city or in the provinces, so far as
known, though 1t is true people are en-
tirely ignorant of what is transpiring
at Santiago, no mail having been re-
ceived from there for some time past.
The cable is in the hands Of the govern
ment, and Is almost exclusively devoted
to furthering military operations, which
are limited to eyacuating the interior
towns and concentrating the Spanish
forces at or near the large cities.
1t is reported here that Santa Cruz
del Sur, on the south coast of Puerto
Principe, has fallen into the hands OF
the insurgents. II this is the case, the
latter now have port, at which their
friends can land arms, ammunition and
supplies without interference. Other
important events are said to have trans
piied at Santa Cruz del Sur.
The officers of the Spanish gunboat
Cuba Espanola have reached Sancti
Spiritus, province OF Santa Clara. by
land, and are On their way to runas,
and from there by coasting steamer to
Cienfuegos. One report has it that the
commander OF the Cuba Espanola
burned or blew up his vessel to save it
from falling into the hands of the in
Iurgents. Another version of the affair
says the gunbost may have been cap
tured by the insurgents.
Confirmation has been received here
that the Spanish troops have evacuated
Iiquani and Bayamo, in the province
of Santiago de Cuba. and that they
have been occupied by the insurgents.
The Spaniards say the troops destroyed
these two towns before leaving them,
but this is not believed. The troops
from these places retreated upon Manza-
Milo. and some of them have reached
sther coast towns by this time.
Although the prices of provisions
here are very high, it is calculated that
there is food enough obtainable to last
about five months, because it is claimed
considerable stores were laid in before
the blockade, and no provisions are al
lowed to be sent from: here to interior
towns. Eggs cost 10 cents each;
glass Of milk costs from 30 to 25 cents,
and the size of the loaf OF bread has
been reduced one-halt. This, however,
was done before the blockade began.
There are thousands Of men from
cigar, tobacco and other factories out OF
work, and the authorities are employing
rs many as possible on the fortifica- |
tions. The number of men idle causes
anxiety. Up to the present they have |
been provided with food in one way or
another. mainly by their former en-
ployers being compelled to contribute
to their maintenance, but the time
must come when these men will feel |
the pangs of hunger. and then riots is
sure to follow,
People here are looking forward with
to the eventual triumph |
Of the insurgents, as it is believed they
will wTeak terrible vengeance upon the
Spaniards and upon those who have
with the latter. The
bulk of the Spaniards, however, arc
filled with warlike enthusiasm, and are
looking forward with confidence to an
eventual triumph over the American
forces, They have great faith in the
strength OF the Spanish feet, and the
Spanish soldiers are looking forward
to the blockade being raised
by the naval forces sent from Spain.
AS soon as few cannon shots are
heard from the forts, the shores of the
bay, San Lasaro avenue and the tops OF
The houses are Immediately crowded
with people, who cheer wildly when a
shOt is seen to fall anywhere near any
of the American warships,
Il is impossible to run at an altitude /
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