The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-05-21

for the American fleet and the writer Is IN
formed that he was shot the same aIter-
noon.
The Pals, organ Of the autonomist party,
says great misery prevails at Matanzas any
at CardenaS and other towns on account
or the scarcity Of provisions and the paper
ADDS that the country people are now IN q
worse condition than they ever were peIoIe'
All sorts of misleading rumors are lnten-
tionally circulated by the Spanish oIncldIs
here for their own purposes and the taIes
OF Spanish repulseS of American FORCES
come in at almost regular Intervals anu
from nearly every point about the olockduss
ed portion of the coast, to say nothing or
the stories of brilliant Spanish victories
which are said TO have reached mere IroI1 ON
abroad. For instance, to-day rumor traced
to the palace said: THE Spanish fleet, art
er a heroic defensive battle with an Amer
lean fleet at Cavite, Philippine islands, lost
two vessels and about three hundred killed
and four hundred wounded, after which the
Spanish officers refusing to surrender, anu
In order to prevent the Spanish fleet 1roul
falling into the hands Of the Americans,
blew up all the rest of their vessels"
The palace report also said the An disT
and that, in consequence, the Spanish au,
thorities and the garrison of Manila had
lowing official news" was published: "A
Spanish fleet has fought heroically with an
American fleet at Cavite. obliging the Amer
lean fleet to retreat with considerable loss
The Spanish losses were also very heavy:
or course, the greatest interest is taken
here In the approaching meeting. between
waters. The fleet from Spain is expected at
almost any moment, and is being constantly
watched for. Day and night signals are
ready to guide it safely into the harbor. 1t
is expected that the result of the battle Will
decide the war in favor of the United
States or Spain, and 1t is impossible TO
make the Spaniards doubt the eventual trl-
umph of the yellow and red flag of their
country.
The French steamer Lafayette arrived
here from Key West on Saturday morning
MAY d, and commenced unloading her
cargo and allowed her passengers to come
on shore. When nearly all the cargo had
been taken ashore the French consul ana
the conSignee of the Lafayette received dis
patches from the French ambassador at
Washington, saying a compromise arrange
ment had been arrived at with the United
States government, by which the Lafayette
had been allowed to enter the Havana har-
Dor, but with the understanding that her
cargo and passengers were not to be landed.
Thereupon the French consul and conSignee
conferred with Captain General Blanco, and,
later with the members of the colonial gov
eminent, with the result that permission
Lafayette, so as to comply with the desire
of friendly nation (France), without eS-
tabishing any precedent, and reServlng all
rights for action in the matter in the future
in any similar case.
In spite of the lonesome appearance of
the city, the theaters are open and are gen.
orally full, though the absence of great
numbers Of the better classes Of society Is
noticed.
The Spaniards recently tried to construct
a fort at La Carbamera, near Matanzas,
but were prevented by the fire of some
American war ships, which DESTROYED the
seen engaged upon them. colonel of the
civil guards, Senior Mello, appears to have
gambed away large sums of money belong
gone over from Colon to the insurgent
ranks