The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-04-03
BLANco's ORDER.
1t Has Not Been Obeyed by Any of the
RecOncentradOs.

RecOncentradOs.
HAVANA, via Key West, Fla, April O.
The week just closing has not lacked in
events. All realize that big game is be-
ing played in a larger theater Madrid and
washington. The principal happenings here
since last Wednesday have been: First,
General Blancos order abolishing reconcen-
tration and directing the mayors, alcaldes
and other officials to provide food for the
destitute and employment for those able
to work; second the telegram to President
Mckinley from Senior Galvez, president of
the colonial Cabinet, begging for more time
for trial OF autonomy; third, the de-
parture Of the cruisers Vizcaya and AL
mirante Oquendo; fourth. the war scare in
Havana on Thursday night after Captain
General Blanco had called the colonels of
the volunteers to the palace for advice and
declaration of fealty; fifth, the awakening
of all classes of the people to the knowledge
that war, siege and suffering in Havana are
at least possible if not probable, with Bit
ter feeling towards America and Americans
consequent upon that knowledge.
AS to General Blanco's orders regarding
recommendation the papers praise it, though
in somewhat perfunctory fashion. So far
as can be learned not single reconcen-
trado has left the shelter of city town
for the country, nor is any likely to do so
so long as it is possible that they will fall
an easy prey to Spanish guerrillas or Cuban
insurgents. There are dissensions in the
autonomist Cabinet. and rumors are rife
that Seniors Dolz, Gown and Montero, re-
spectively minister of posts and telegraphs,
minister of the interior and minister of
finance, have resigned. These rumors how
ever, are not confirmed.
On Thursday night story was bruited
about first quietly, then openly, that war
had been declared. The result was that in
all quarters of Havana great persuasion had
to be used by men of good judgment to pre-
vent a demonstration, the results of which
it would be hard to foresee. Up to that
night the correspondents had really nothing
to complain of in the treatment they re-
ceived at the hands of the Havana people
They kept away from some parts of the
city at night, and if they found it necessary
to go to the docks they rode thither. But
on Thursday there were black looks and
open threats. Probably these ebullitions
were a good thing, as a means of giving
vent to passions which might otherwise
have sought more dangerous channel. Po-
lice precautions were at once doubled, while
friends of the Americans advised them to
stay around the central and best-guarded
parts of the city, especially at night.
Threats of violence in the event of war be-
ing declared between the United States and
Spain are still plentiful, but the better
classes SEEM since Thursday night, to have
resumed their outward courteous manner at
least.
United States Consul General Lee main
tains a calm cheerfulness through all the
rumors and excitement. He is constantly
watched in accordance with government Or
ders, but goes his way as If he were in
Richmond, declining to regard as serious
the numerous and constantly recurring
threats against his life. He is armed, of
course, and sometimes says he has not for
got the lessons of his youth in pistol prac-
tice. He is a very busy man during Office
hours, much pestered by impossible people
making unheard of requests He believes,
as does every one else here, that the rigid
quarantine made by Florida against Ha-
vana should, under present conditions, be
modified, especially as no cases of yellow
fever have been reported.
The steamer Mascotte, from Key West,
arrived here this morning without a single
passenger except Cubans or Spaniards. She
left for the north with 'immunes" only.
The Ward line steamer Lampasas which
was due to sail for New York this after
noon. had sold every stateroom.