The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1898-03-03

terr0gat0rleS. But JIl@ queStl0nerS were
not experts DIN Naval architecture and
the questioned were. So the results
were unsatisfactory Probably the court
knew before it left Havana for Key
West whether the ten inch magazine on
the starboard forward did or did not ex-
plode, but the members gave no sign and
tne divers when they talk at all, doubt
less even the contractors for the re-
movaI of the inner debris and the rails
ing of the hull do not fully appreciate
the difficulties to be encountered Ger
tainly the tug Right Arm has been of
little value thus far, ner captain not
having sufficient authority until Monday
to employ the necessary help or to hire
the needed lighters.
While criticising the Naval divers for
their slowneSs, it must be remembered
that theirs is grim, dangerous and diff
fcult work. In muddy, foul water.
through mass of riven steel, bent iron,
shattered gratings and ladders, over
upturned matches, heaped up coal scat
tered ammunition, guns, chests. machin-
cry and electric wires, they must make
or cut their way. They must exercise
great care lest their air tubes be sever
ell by sharp projections. Already many
have had had falls in the uncertain light
and difficult passages.
Nothing need be retracted however,
from the former statement that all the
haste possible is greatly to he desired
The huge weight of the wreck caused it
/ to sink daily deeper into the soft mud
of the harbor, making the task OF rails
ing the vessel the more hcrculean.
While no outsider is allowed on the
wreck, the patrcl lines are not so rigid
as formerly and the boats of visitors are
allowed to sail close 10 the upheaved
mass of debris.
The question is frequently asked:
Are Americans in danger in Haya-
na?' The only truthful answer ever
given by well informed resident or
American, official or layman, Is:
We think not; we don't know" Of
course Spanish officials who will talk
On the subject deprecate any idea of
danger; but they are as much in the
dark as the rest.
A well informed Cuban of high social
position and on good terms with the
government said to the correspondent
Of the Associated Press:
.Of course. in the low dives and sa-
sponsible persons as to what they intend
to do to Americans, but these people are
only dangerous in case riotOus demon.
strations come from other quarters,
such for instance, as the volunteers. In
the ten years war the volunteers shot
many innocent people and were con-
trolled with difficulty; but it seems prob
able that Dissatisfaction is more
likely to be manifested later against the
autonomists or against General Blanco
and his staff than against the Americans,
since the impression is daily stronger thar
only short time will elapse ere Cuba
! will be annexed to or under the protec-
ton of the United States"
! There are no signs of a demonstration
against the Americans and stories to the
contrary, thus far, are without founda-
ton. Still, Havana lis no place just now
4 thOcn wit h. n,
duty. The season is inclement and the
variations of temperature are sudden
and violent, causing much sickness. espe-
cially the grip.
All idea of censorship lis so foreign to
the American mind that an American can
scarcely appreciate the difficulty of
sending news from Havana. The Span
iards seem equally unable to understand
why censorship is mot exercised in the
United States. One experience will serve
as an illustration of others of daily oc-
currence A correspondent prepared an
early bulletin for cabling, giving such
routine facts as could be gathered before
eight in the morning in Il city where the
official business of the day begins at ter
or later. Sickness happened to deprive
him of his interpreter and he tried to
get the despatch stamped" by the cen
sor in the original English. Ihe regular
censor happened to be ill and Com
mandant Norenawas acting in his place
Norena who does not know word OF
English declined to give his approval un
til the despatch was shown him in Span