The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1898-06-21
R0BINSON'S
EXPERIENCE.
English Reporters View of Life
in Matanzas and Havana.
Spaniards Eagerto Fight.

The Pail Mall Gazctte's special COR
respondent, Phil Robinson, writing
from Kingston, Jamaica. under the date
Of June II OH his recent experiences in
Matanzas and Havana, says;
Finding the local authorities deter
mined TO prevent my going tQJCuba, I
vas compelled TO escape from Key West
after dark ON board Of a friendly Brit
ish yacht, which, while passing Admiral
Simpsons feet headed for Cardenas, was
fred upon by y patrolling gunboat. We
changed our course for MatanxRs, and
at 4 o'clock in the morning stopped five
miles from the coast. Whighnm and I
left the yacht in q skiff, and owing to
the easterly current and strong ebb tide
IL took three hours to reach the entrance
Of the harbor and four moro to get to
the Matan2as jetty, in front of the GEN.
ter Of the town.
"As wo were approaching the coast
the Spanish cavalry patrol detected rs
and dismounted, apparently contem-
plating giving as q volley, but while
baling the boat with ono hand I waved
q white napkin with the other, and they
accepted the signal. Only one battery
threatened US. A man was standing to
his gun, but the napkin again saved us,
and tho situation was without further
incident.
"When we reached the jetty, some
children who were padding in the wa
ter carried our oars, flags and luggage
20 xba hcka1 urko~o c,~ c~n cro-
ated the utmost astonishment. We were
told afterward that the soldiers and the
crowds We passed were quite stupefied
by the suddenness Of our appearance.
otherwise they might have done us some
mischief. After we had breakfasted we
sent for the British consul, who inform
ed the authorities Of presence. We
were summoned before the commandment
and closely questioned. General Molina
was at first incredulous. but ultimately
complimented us upon u exploit,
laughing heartily at the idea Of two
men in an open boat running the block
ade and rowing right up the middle Of
the harbor in broad daylight past all Of
the batteries. He telegraphed to Havana
asking permission for M to proceed to
the capital. but General Congosto. Gap
tain General Blanco's evil genius or
dered our arrest. At midnight, while
we were in . cafe chatting with some
Spanish officers, we were arrested and
driven to Castle San Saverino. Our per-
sons were searched and everything was
taken from us. We were locked In o
disgustingly filthy cell without one sim
gle article of furniture except o ham
mock.
1.-THE next day we were removed to
the c~pmmandant's quarters, where we
were permitted to furnish q room and
obtain food from the hotel. We wero
| treated with the utmost kindness and
consideration, but were not allowed to
leave u ROOM. During a imprison-
ment some miscreants spread reports
that we had been seen in Matanzas be-
fore, that we had been hiding in the
town and that our story Of rowing mp
the harbor In q boat was an invention.
We were therefore repeatedly examined
in minute detail, separately, but after
six days Of this kind Of treatment cur
veracity was established and w were
| forwarded under guard to Havana.
"Matanzas from tho harbcr resembles
an Italian seaport and from the land it
10 doubly beautiful. Two rivers loiter
through tho town into the landlockec
harbor. which is thr.e miles wide. The
land ON either side Of the harbor rises
picturesquely to . considerable height
and that behind the town slopes gently
upward to a palm crested ridge. Under
American enterprise the town will de-
velop into a noble pleasure resort, pos
sessing unique natural beauties, en-.
HANGED by grace and antiquity and DO q
fatal rival to the Florida resorts. The
defenses Of Matanzas have been greatly
strengthened of late. One new battery,
at present unknown to the Americans,
mounting six large guns, Is being CON-
pleted OH tho east side Of the harbor and
a corresponding battery on the opposite
side is in cnursc Of construction.
"The Spaniards are utterly at a loss
TO understand why Admiral Sampson
did not attack Nntenzas in earnest q
month age. The condition Of the town
admitted it then, as it was not able to
withstand an attack. Now, however,
the Spaniards arc most confident and
are spelling for a fight, expecting, after
defeating the 6cot, to invade Florida,
where General Molina has promised his
troops that they shall put the entire
population to the sword. The eagerness
Of the poor, ignorant Spanish officers
for battle is quito pathetic, but ii is u
fact that at present they mean to fight
to the death. The explanation given by
the Spaniards Of the futility Of Admiral
SIMPSONS demonstration before Matan-
gas is that the American shells. notably
those fired by the Cincinnati. were de-