The evening times., 1898-08-19

49,
cinnati left their anchorage early yester-
day morning and sailed in an eastward d.
rection- Their departure gave rise to
many absurd rumors tending to excite
tho general public. The current story
was to the effect that they had been
refused entrance and had gone to seek
more ships, to return and lombard the
town. The truth is that threatening
weather necessitated their putting to sea.
The ships came close in last night and
signaled that they wished to communi-
cate with the authorities. The captain
general agreed to this, and shortly after
dark two officers In a small boat entered
the harbor. Immediately on landing they
drove to the palace, where a conference
OF some length was held. Afterward they
drove to the cable office and then at once
returned aboard.
The ships were exchanging messages
with the shore all yesterday morning. At
10 o'clock an officer came ashore and
held further conference with the cap
tain general, and then went to the cable
Office. where a crowd soon collected, curl
Gus to see the Yankees.
lTtEe Is reason 10 DtueNe tudl ms Ills-
sion WIS to obtain permission to enter
the harbOr and that the captain general
pointed out that the entrance to the har-
Dor was now blocked by sunken vessels
and that 1t would be utterly inadvisable
to land the Americans at present.
The task of clearing the distractions
from the mouth of the harbor is difficult.
weather and the heavy swell at the en-
trance of the harbor shifted the subma-
rine mines and made 1t necessary to
search for them. .-.+
The military lines are still tight. but
the capital Is daily recovering its former
condition. 1t would be great boon IL It
were possible to arrange for importations
Of provisions via Ponce.
People returning from the country tell
many tales of suffering. but all speak
highly of the valor of the Spanish SOL
diers.
A former America vice consul. MI.
Latimer. VINO during the war resided on
his estate near Carolina. says he was
treated with every courtesy. As mat
ter of fact order prevails in the whole
island to a remarkable extent.
The outlook is bright and gratifying.
Tde stores are opening and the cafes
gradually resuming their former as
pect.
In country towns there have been sew
erai instances OF natives seeking re-
venge on the police and military. In
one case a portion of the town rose in re-
volt and killed several civil guards. but
re-enforcements soon arrived. and after
some fighting. In which several were
killed, the natives were forced to flee.
In contrast to this the bearing of the
Spanish is most exemplary. There is no
sign of rioting- Strangers and treated
most courteously. The papers extend
greeting to foreigners. No attempt to
take revenge on natives has been made
AS a matter of precaution the captain
general has issued an order that all
civilians must deliver up their arms
within three days.
An official dispatch from the minister
of war in Madrid to the captain general.
published this morning. says:
''The preliminary protocol for peace
between the governments of
Spain and the United States has been
signed. and in consequence of this sus-
pension of the hostiIities between the
land and naval forces has been agreed
upon. Orders have already been trans
mitted to that effect 20 the forces of the
United States. You are instructed TO
give Immediately the necessary orders
for the observance of this suspension
by The land and naval forces under your
The suspension of hostiIities now
agreed upon between the governments of
Spain and the United States means so
far the status quo. and the contending
parties will maintain their respective po-
1t is understood that the sunken YES
sells at the mouth of the harbor are to
be blown up with dynamite Immediately.
after which the warshps will be allowed
to enter.
The majority of the Spanish merchants
here, who really form the backbone of
the islands commerce, express no inten-
tion of leaving the island. as they would
have done in case of independence. The
conduct of the Americans since landing
meets general approval. The value of
real estate is an instance. Where three
months ago a Spanish owner would have
sold an estate for s3.0Oo originally bought
for o.ooo. today he would hesitate to ac-
cept $1,000.