The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1898-02-24
That the President Anticipates War With Spain
and is Preparing For It-His Utterance
is So Taken in Washington Off
cial Circles.
The Spanish Squadron Number
ing Seven Vessels to Sail
From Cadiz For Havana
in Three Days.

are mine galleries under the harbor at
Havana, leading from subterranean
passages and known to have existed for
years between Fort Cabanas Moro
castle and this port, the Spaniards ex-
pain Uhat Tor over a century a Subter-
ranean passage about two miles long
and eight feet at its narrowest diane
ter, capable of giving passage to a col
unn OF troops has existed from the
navy yard to Castillo del Principe But
the SpaniardS further assert. the exist
ence of this passage was not known to
the present authorities or to those who
nave been in power for many years
past. The entrances and exits it is
added, have been closed for years past
by thick walls now covered with debris
and their exact location is said to be
lost.
At the same time it is admitted that
records regarding the subterranean
passage can be found in the old docu-
mentS contained in the archives of Ha-
vana. Finally the Spaniards insist that
this passage does not go under the har-
Dor at any point.
Under the surface here there seems to
be deep feeling of unrest. No one be-
Heves that autonomy is, or can be any
thing but a name, and there is still
more deep rooted belief that the United
States will not suffer the present con-
ditiOn of things to continue much long
er.
On Saturday last a party of about
40 guerrillas left a fort on a farm near
Aguacate, about 40 miles from this city,
"aS was their custom" to dine at
neighboring place. During the absence
of the guerrillas, a detachment of about
10 insurgents occupied the fort, and
when the garrison returned from dinner
the Insurgents fell upon them with
machetes and killed 25 out of the 40
guerrillas. The remaining Is members
of the government force succeeded in
escaping.
Washington. Feb. 24-The Evening
Star has received the following cable
gram from Mr.. Charles Pepper, it's staff
correspondent, in Cuba:
AT this writing divers are developing
important results. From examination
of the interior wreckage, they have Sc
cured evidence which seems conclusive
that the explosion came from under
meath the ship.
Some of the smaller magazines may
have exploded. The main 10-inch mag
azine did not explode. The condition of
the interior of the ship shows further
probability of the wreck having been
due to outside force.
THE further the investigation pro-
crosses, the more untenable becomes
the theory which the Spanish govern
ment adduced to show accidental cause
1t is evident the Spanish case Will be
based on the claim that a fire preced-
ed the explosion.
Capt. Sampson and his colleagues
of the naval board may have outside
evidence offered regarding a torpedo
boat producing the explosion.
said one diver who had been engag-
ed in the work of getting bodies out
from under the hatch: God may be
merciful to men who blew those poor
| fellows to eternity; the United States
| should not"
This was before Longs order pro-
| hibiting officers from talking. This
! diver evidently thought the explosion
was not an accident. He had an ex-
pert's capacity and opportunity for
| judging.
! 1.-The Havana public is not permitted
| to know the intensity of public senti-
ment in the United States. Only meagre
/ details are permitted to be known of
| what happens in Washington Congress
/ is watched with excessive anxiety by
| Palace officials. but the popUIace knows
| nothing of what is liable to happen.
| Evidences of ill-feeling toward
| American people and exultatiOn over
/ the Maine disaster do not lessen. The
] Maine inquiry dwarfs interest in Cuban
politics, but recent developments carry