The age-herald., 1898-07-14
ATTEMPTED ID COMMIT SUICIDE Cuba's Captain General Frenzied
 With Grief When the NEWS WAS BROKEN TO HIM 0i the Complete Humiliation Of CerVera'S
 Squadron by American Fleet. GLOOM SETTLED OVER HAVANA When True Story of the Suicidal Dash
 Was Made Known. WORK ON THE DEFENSE CONTINUES Food Is Scarce and Liquor Is the Only Thing to Be Had Cheaply-1he Peo-
 pie Are Eating Sharks Caught
 in the Harbor.
When True Story of the Suicidal Dash
 Was Made Known.
WORK ON THE DEFENSE CONTINUES

Key West, July 1S.-Accordirg to advices from Havana received here today, General Blanco attempted to commit suicide when he learned beyond doubt that Admiral Ger veras squadron had Ieen aDnihilated. LQrg g before the Spanish. admiral's gallant dash out of Santiago all Havana had been boast ing of his ability to outwit the Americans, and when misleading dispa tches gave the impression that he had eluded the Ameri- can fleet the demonstrations of joy in the Cuban capital partook of the nature of a festival.
 When the true story of the defeat came it was discredited until definite informa- tion from Madrid no longer left room for hope. Gloom settled upon the city, all gaietics were stopped and every public and many private buildings were hung with crepe and other black draperes. Blanco was in his palace when the intelligence reached him, and he became almost fren- zied.
 Overpowered and Disarmed
 He was closeted with his staff and Gen. eral Arolas, of the Spanish forces, discuss ing tre news when he made the attempt on his life. In the struggle he was over powered and disarmed, but the shock was
 
 pelled to keep his bed for several days. When he arose his first order was to pro- bibit any food supplies leaving Havana for interior towns, where the distress is most indignant and where many are starving daily This and other valuable informa- tion was brought up by Jose Pauilne Blanco, who indignantly repudiated sue- gestion of kinship with the governor gen eral He says he is a lineal Cuban ana es- caped to avoid ths necessity Of hgnting against his cause, as every male Tn the island who is able to bear arms IS peihs pressed into the Spanish service.
 Blanco says the living conditions III lla. ,,ae greatest distress necessarily falling on the Cuhans because nearly all the food IS seized for the troops Of those there are about 10000 in the city, consisting oI VOL unteers, mobilized troops, militia and reg, ulars. Their rations are largely rice and haens. without even bacon. Jerked beer, RIanco says, sells for 30 cents pound; bread of poor quality for 30 cents, laru s1. meat 75 cents, corn meal 25 cents ana rice 50 cents. Sharks food Is eagerly sought, and the day before Blanco leIt the city one shark caught in Havana har- bor sold for $135O.
 One Meal a Day
 Those of the reconcentrados who have sufficient influence with the dispensing au- thorities sometimes contrive to get one wretched meal a day, but me others starve and it is no uncommon thing, says Blanco, to see persons drop dead Ill the street.
 Even among the Spaniards starvation IS rapidly sapping their loyalty, and large numbers of men are banding together awaiting the first American attack on Ha- yana as signal for revolt. The grocery and provision stores are empty. Ohiy hquor Is to be had cheaply
 Work on the defenses continues with tlre- less yigor. Two lines of collaborating tor pedoes have been strung across the mar bor from the city side to Morro Castle, ana the same has been done in the bay or Narel where it Is reported in Havana that American troops are to be landed. Sand battery No. 2, east of Havana, has lately mounted 6-inch guns on the extreme eastern side of the battery commanding the coast line and few days ago sent two shots at the Mayfiower. which had been cruising close to the shore supposedly out of range. New masked batteries are also being built along shore.
 Ran the Blockade
 Blanco further reported that three weeks ago the Spanish steamer Santo Domingo crept out of the harbor at midnight with all lights out and got safely through the block ade. The Spanish ships now in the harbor are the gunboats Condo de Vinto, Marquez de la EnSenada, Nueva ESpana, FilippinaS and Nanez Pinzon, several of which are unfit for service. The guns have been re- moved from the cruiser Alfonso XIII. and used for shore batteries, and the cruiser had been converted into hospital ship.
 Thre are also in the harbor a number of smaller warships in the nature of converted yachts, including the Flecha, Aguilla, Mag galanos and two others. All of these ves- sels except the Alfonso XIII. are always ready to move on short notice. The mer- chant steamers Josefa, Adola and Maria Herrera are also in the harbor