New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-05-21
IN THE BELEAGUERED CITY.
THE WEIGHT OF THE BLOCKADE BE-
GINNING TO BE FELT IN HAVANA.


O.. IDLE MEN CAUSE UNEAsrNEss - FOOD
HIGH. BUT ENOUGH TO LAST FIVE
MONTHS - HOW THE sPANrARDs
KEEP Up THEIR COURAGE
Copyright: 1895; The Associated Press)
Havana May O. via Vera Cruz. Mexico. May
13.-The weight Of the blockade Is beginning 10
be felt here. Business Is almost at compete
standstill. and there is hardly any movement IN
tn streets. which have a sort OF holiday appear
ance. The parks are almost deserted. ana there
were few people 10 Re seen last week on the
Plaza de Arrnas at night although the band
played there and everything possible Is done 70
keep up the spirits Of the people
There 10 a feverish desire TO leave the Island
and over five thousand people booked their
names at the Office Of the consgnees OF the
French steamer Lafayette. which leaves Havana
to-day for Vera Cruz. Mexico. with this letter
which will be posted at that port In fact. an
actual panic now prevails. while, when the
blockade began, there feeling OF almost
serenity among all classes. But things have
changed: the grim earnestness OF the Americans
IS steadily forcing itself upon the minds or even
the most hot-headed Spanish officers. though the
latter are working vigorously at the fortihca-
TONS which have been considerably strength
ened and improved since the war began. The
Spanards. It must be admitted. are preparing 10
fight as desperately as possible under the CIR
cumstance.
POOR PEOPLE TRYING TO EMIGRATE.
Many families without means are striving to
emigrate, trying to borrow money from more
fortunate people TO pay their passage. But
It Is hard to how their condition Will be
improved to any great extent even II they do
succeed In leaving the blockaded city. for they
have been rendered penniless. and their chance
OF earning a livelihood in foreign country is
small.
There is considerable feeling against the men
who are DESTROYS Of leaving the city. and posted
the corners Of houses all over the town are
to be seen such notices as the following:
Here are sold womens shirts for the men who
are abandoning the island Of Cuba.
There has been no disorder. however in this
city or In the provinces. so far as known though
1t is true that people here are entirely ignorant
Of what Is happening at Santiago de Cuba. no
mail having been received from there for some
time and the cable being in the hands Of the
Government and almost exclusively devoted to
furtherng the military operations, which are
about limited to evacuating the interior towns
and concentrating the Spanish forces at or
about the large cities.
REPORTS FROM THE ISLAND.
the south coast Of the Province Of Puerto Prin-
cipe. has fallen into the hands Of the insurgents
II this is the case the latter now have a port at
which their friends can land arms. ammunition
and supplies without interference.
Other important things are said to have hap
pened at Santa Cruz del Sur. The officers Of
the Spanish gunboat Cuba Espahola have
reached Sancti Spirtus, Province OF Santa
Clara by land and on their way to Tunas
and from there by coasting steamer to Cienfue
COS. One report has IT that the commander Of
the Cuba Espahola burned or blew up his vessel
in order to save 1t from falling into the hands OF
the insurgents Another version Of the affair
says the gunboat may have been captured by
the insurgents.
Confirmation has been received here Of the re-
ports that the Spanish troops have evacuated
Jiguani and Bayamo. in the Province Of Santiago
de Cuba and that they have been occupied by
the insurgents The Spaniards say the troops
destroyed those two towns before leaving them
but this Is not believed 70 be true. The troops
from those places retreated upon Manzanillo
and some OF them have reached other coast
towns by this time.
Although the prices Of provisions here are
high, 1t Is calculated that there is food enough
obtainable to last about five months. because 1t
Is asserted. considerable stores were laid In be-
fore the blockade. and no provisions are allowed
TO be sent from here to the interior towns. Eggs
cost 10 cents EACH glass Of milk costs from 20
to % cents, and the size Of the loaf Of bread has
been reduced half This however, wa. done
before the blockade began.
THOUSANDS OFT OF WORK.
There are thousands OF men from the cigar,
tobacco and other factories out OF work and the
authorities are employing as many OF them as
no MI
entirely cleared Of merchandise. not a box bar
rel or sack being seen. and there the idle con-
gregate and enjoy the fresh air while talking
over the war
The number OF men die Is a matter which
causes the authorities considerable anxiety I'd
70 the present they have been provided with
food in some manner or other. rainiy by their
former employers being compelled to contribute
toward their maintenance. But the time must
come when these men will feel the pangs OF
hunger. and then rioting is cure to follow
Then. again. people here are looking forward
with considerable apprehension to the eventual
triumph Of the insurgents. as It is believed they
will wreak terrible vengeance upon the Span
dards and upon those who have sympathized
with the latter.
Most Of the Spaniards however are filled with
warlike enthusiasm. and are looking forward
with confidence to eventual triumph over the
American forces. They have great faith in the
strength Of the Spanish feet and In the valor
OF the Spanish sailors and are hopeful that the
blockade will be raised by the naval force sent
from Spain. AS soon a few cannon shots are
heard from the forts the shores Of the bay
San Lazaro-av ave. and the roofs Of the houses are
Immediately crowded with people. who cheer
wildly when a shot Is seen to fall anywhere
near one OF tn. American warships
SPANISH MILITARY OPERATIONS
The Spanish officers say all the strategic points
about the coast have been occupied by troops.
and that II will be difficult TO effect landings.
Ambuscades have also been prepared at various
points. and they say HAVANA is so well fortified