New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-04-28
MATANZAS CLOSED TIGHT.
THE BLOCKADE THERE REPORTED TO
BE COMPLETE.
THE soUADRoN's WORK OFF CCBA-1NTER-
ESTINCi THINGS SEE. on TIE SHORE


THE soUADRoN's WORK OFF CUBA--INTER-
EsTGNG THINGS SEE; on THE SHORE.
fRY TELEGRAPH TO THE rRIBrSEl
or Havana. April 81. by Dispatch-boat to Key
West.-An is quiet with Admiral SIMPSONS
blockading feet this morning. No firing mas
been heard from the land fortifcations. and
there has been no occasion for any from the
ships.
The torpedo-boat Dupont has just brought
report from the squadron to the flagship New
York that all is quiet at Matanzas. the shore
batteries have not repeated their firing on tor-
pedo- boats Matanzas HarbOr Is completey
closed and no efforts made TO run the
blockade.
Last night the New-York started after what
seemed to be Spanish steamer, but the cruiser
Detroit signalled that she was already IN pursu"
and the chase was left 10 her. The efficiency OF
the squadron will be increased by numper oi
tuCboats and other mosquito" craft when can
run close in shore where big ships cannot 60 ana
keep watch Of small bockadc-runners
MORO Castle no longer shows Its lights al
NEAR VIEW OF SANTA CRUZ
OF Santa Cruz. Atril 27 by Dispatch boat to
Kev West (SpeciaD-Admiral SIMPSONS flag
shin the New York does its share in MAINTAIN
ing a peaceful blockade OF Northern CUBAN
ports The Cuban and Spanish population nave
chance 10 learn something Of the big cruiser
for along part Of the coast near Moro 'nere are
no reefs and the biggest vessels can lie we" III
shore one OF the gunhoats has peen c'u's'''
within less than mile Of the beach ana 'nc
flagship has been close enough for rowooa' 10
push off and reacn it,
The people of the village Of Santa Cruz can oe
easily seen from the deck. They do nor seem
surprised or overcome at the nearness OF Amer
can warships Most Of them came down to the
beach.
The village itself is typical one. The church
and cemetery are the most conspicuous objects
Rack Of tho village stretch two ranges or NILS
and each knob is crowned by A small fort. Some OF
these little forts seem 20 be abandoned. but WIN
a strong glass 1t can be seen that others are YET
Garrisoned.
4 squadron Of Spanish cavalry appears TO De
camped in the neighborhood tor drill
FLAG OF TRUCE RESPECTED
The regulations ~ war are understood. FOR
when the tug algonquin put of from the nag
shin nving a white haG there was no hos''r
demonstration On shore This was the hrst u'ne
since the squadron left Key West tha' '"'s
peaceful emblem had been seen The 'us Wa
carving n spanish officer who was picked up OH
shore near Matanzas the other day "y '''
/ cruiser Cincinnati. when h. put out to sea ]"
small schooner 20 enjoy furlough inat ha'
/ been granted to him.
/ Tho ALGONQUIN steamed right up 20 tn" mouth
| Of a creek which is called santa cruz rIF'''
,ardod tho released prisoner. slgnallcd the nag
| shin and then proceeded directly To- Key west
7, former davs this creek was a favorite IannlnS-
mace for nlibusterng expeditions. II makes
cu, through hills in which many Insurgents "r'
| said 10 De cncampcd now.
- they looked closely the crew of the Algon-
ou,r saw. earthworks which men were even then
/ engaged IN throwing up along the consume i''
| ,hov are visible from the ships turth"I OUT 81
/ ca These carthworks are said 10 he part OF 4
/ ,,re ~, for,lacations extending from Mat"nIds ID
Havana They are not Formidable u any n"'-
,arIas are masked along here the Guhne'S nav
h.er GOOD enough not TO tempt return "''
from any Of the big guns which polni sh'F'""'"
Whichever way the flagship drifts or even ii'"
gunboat Whatever batteries cNlst' II any
would he quickly reduced. and small Landing p"l
ties would have no diiculty IN Se''i"S "'"'' D"
tho many coves and ncts.
FIRES ON THE HILLsIDEs
In the daytime a brown stuhhle can he seen
o,oso - tho beach ana on the sides Of the hills
where fire has swept These fires are SUI" rdN
,, u.lr = dozen Of them be seen. Last
rirh, three or four big ones were seen on the
hills far back What there ls to burn Is fnyS-
terv for all the cancheds in this part OF the
country were nr.-swept weeks ago. They are
not signal lights from the insurgents Tor '"ey
have other means Of communication.
The officers Of the flagship and other NesSels III
the blockadinc squadron are looking ior""'" ~
a nerlod Of dulncss until the bomharon'h' o'
Havana IS ordered. It is felt that fe" spanish
merchantmen are now afoat whlch VIII co"e
s,o,o ,nouch to Cuban waters for pursuit.
pioctade-running will probably he attempted
,r,, cha, ie more a matter for smaller vessels of
tho feet Should decision be made In WASH
,neton to land food supplies before the nompard-
ment Of Havana IS begun. that VIII furnish Work
for several vessels.