Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1898-03-27
HAVANA TENSION INCREASING.
However, There IL No Danger of an
Outbreak-A Spanish Off,
ciaps Views.

Havana, via Key West. March 2s.-The
tension hero is greater than it was a week
ago. while expectancy grows more acute
daily. now that the reports of both courts
of inquiry into the Maine disaster are in
the hands of their respective governments.
OF outward signs here of an impending
breach there are few, II any. The yolun-
teers and recruits are drilling harder, esps-
cially in artillery work, while the emplace-
ment OF big guns in the suburbs Of Vidido
goes on apace. making a show Of grizzly
cannons quite formidable. It is noted.
however. that naval officers smile when
passing the works. One said recently:
'One Of our battleships now at the Tor
tugas carries more metal than the whole
pack Of these fellows"
There are murmurings in the low cafes
and sometimes rather sinister looks for the
"Americanos" on the streets. but on the
whole it is much to be doubted whether
Cubans and Spaniards visiting interior cit
les of the United States during the present
state of feeling would be treated with as
much general courtesy as is shown to all
foreigners.
Naval men here are extremely earnest
in the wish that the United States should
early take steps to prevent the arrival Of
the Spanish torpedo fotilla of the coast
of Cuba and within a few hours sail Of
the fleet at Key West or the Tortugas.
All believe that the Washington officials
fully approve of the desirability of such
prevention. However. the real attitude of
everybody Is that SO long maintained,
namely. waiting attitude. Many believe
that diplomacy would avert war even now,
and some think that Spain will say In Of
feet:
your decision Is that the explosion was
external, and ours that 1t was internal.
This Is grave matter; we demand a
further investigation, in which disinter-
ested parties shall act with the Spanish
and the American governments. We will
abide by the decision Of the final tribunal,
SO far al indemnity is concerned, though
now and forever disclaiming any fore
knowledge Of plot or purpose to blow
up the Maine"
The high Spanish official who Is prac-
tically quoted above thinks that such a
proposition by Spain is bound to meet with
acceptance. being regarded as eminently
fair by all civilized governments.
Meantime. General Gomez and the in
surgent chiefs and their followers are evil
IDENTIFY prepared to continue fighting for
years yet to come, IL necessary. The
knowledge of this fact may have some
thing to do with the increased bitterness
in the tone Of the Havana press, which,
within the past week, has been really
abusive of Americans.
General Gomez has written letter to the
junta in New York reiterating his purpose
to accept nothing but the conditions Of the
Monte Cristo declaration. He says he is
willing, however. to pay Spain $500 OO0, ,0OC
purchase money. If needed. He is also anx-
ious that the Spanish soldiers who shall re-
main here shall help in the rebuilding OF
Cuba's commercial greatness. General Go
mez says he has nearer $1,000 than 30, ,OOl
men under arms. and is gaining recruits
daily.
Fighting has been resumed with vieor iu
the province of Puerto Principe since the
| failure to induce the insurgents to accept
or even listen to the ridiculous offers Of the
autonomistS.
AS usual, 1t is impossible to tell the real
result OF the engagements from the reports
furnished here by Spanish officials. One
| bright aspect of affairs is the relief work
| 1t is impossible to understand the hostile
| tone of many of the Havana papers toward
the work of relief. The Spaniards and Gu.
bans cannot want the reconcentrados to die
| yet this would surely have happened had Il
| not been for American succor.