The record-union., 1898-06-28
REIGN OF TERROR AT HAVANA
B1anco Orders Shot Anyone Who
Criticises Governments Policy.

KEY WEST, June 27-1O:35 a. m.
Copyright, 1898. by the Associated
Press).-The most authentic and re-
liable news yet obtained of the true
condition of affairs in Havana was to-
day furnished in a report to the Asso-
cited Press by a British subject who
left Havana on the British cruiser Tai
bot, and who arrived here yesterday.
He says a reign of terror exists at
the Cuban Capital Captain General
BlancO has issued a proclamation an
nouncing that any one daring to eX-
press an unfavorable opinion, or sus
pected of being dissatisfied with the
present policy of the Government, will
be summarily shot without trial or in
vestigation This proclamation, it APP
pears, caused dissatisfaction among the
members of the Orden Publico, or po-
lice force, who threatened to revolt If
full rations were not given them. 1t
is expected that as the Orden Publico
is a numerous body trouble will result.
It's members are themselves policed,
while patroling the streets while Span
ish infantry and artillery soldiers are
maintaining guard over them at every
corner
Famine, it seems, is imminent and
the stories of the arrival of supplies at
Havana via Batabano are pronounced
to be untrue. The informant of the
Associated Press thinks Havana can
not possibly hold out six weeks longer.
The city is pronounced to be panic
stricken, its inhabitants expecting
every moment to be bOmbarded by the
American fleet, as they realize that
Captain General Blanco's attitude re-
leases the United States from the OBJ
| legation of giving the customary bonn
bardment notice.
Riots are daily expected at Havana,
! as the troops are suffering from Hun
ger, and the volunteers see their wives
and children dying from want. Under
such conditions, the Captain General
cannot much longer keep the military
forces in check, and a rebellion is
likely to devaState Havana before the
city is captured by the Americans.
Captain General Blanco admits that
the situation is desperate. He recog
niZes, it is pointed out, his inability to
control his troops. goaded by hunger.
much longer, and he is reported to
have said that he will never leave
Havana alive, as he is prepared to take
his own life when the outbreak occurs.
Senior Galban Rio, prominent Span
ish merchant, the refugee continues in
his statement to the Associated Press,
had thousand bags of flour hidden
at Gueniados, a suburb of Havana, and
| was retailing it to the public. Gen
eral Arolas, the Military Governor Of
| Havana, was informed that Senior Cal
4 bans trucks had traces of fresh flour
1 upon them, and he caused the vehicles
/ to be followed. The store being thus
disclosed, it was seized and distributed
among the ravenous soldiers.
Referring to the strength of the Span
! ish forces the Briton says there are
/ 120, 900 men under arms at Havana,
and that a great number Of them are
/ hunger
In conclusion, the gentleman says he
credits the reports that the gunners
at Morro Castle and at other Spanish
batteries We're taken from foreign war
ships, and he says the Consuls includ-
! ing Mr.. Collin. the British represen-
tative, are strong Spanish sympathi-
Zers. British Vice Consul Arastego, he
continues. is a Spaniard by birth and
a reporter for La Lucha," the mouth
piece of the Government.
Mr.. Collin. the British Consul Cen
eral, he further remarks. gave a din
ner on the Queens birthday, at which
all the guests were Spaniards, and
| three British subjects. prominent So
cially and financially in Havana. We're,
it is alleged. relegated by Mr.. Collins
| orders to the forecastIe of the Talbot