Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1898-05-21
Copyright. Associated Press.)

Copyright. Associated Press)
Havana, May 8, via Vera Cruz, Mex,
May 13.-The weight of the blockade
is beginning to be felt here. Business
is about at complete standstill and
there is hardly any movement in the
streets, which have a sort of holiday
appearance. The parks are almost de-
serted and there are very few people
to be seen on the Plaza de la Armas at
night, although the band plays there
and everything possible is done to keep
up the spirits of the people.
There is feverish desire to leave
the island, and over five thousand peo-
pie booked at the office of the con-
signees of the French steamer Lafay-
cite, which leaves here to-day for Vera
Cruz, Mex, with this letter, which will
be posted at that port. In fact, an
actual panic now prevails, while when
the blockade commenced there was
classes. But things have changed.
The grim earnestness of the Americans
is steadily forcing itself upon the
minds of even the most hot-headed
Spanish officers, though the latter are
working vigorously at the fortiica-
lions which have been considerably
strengthened and improved since the
war begun. The Spaniards, it must be
admitted, are preparing to fight as des-
perately as possible
UNDER THE CIRCUMSTANCES.
Many families without means are
striving to emigrate, trying to borrow
money from more fortunate people in
order to be able TO pay their passage
money. But it is hard to see how
their condition will be improved to any
great extent even if they do succeed in
leaving the blockaded city, for they
have been rendered penniless and
their chance of earning livelihood in
IOT6lSu CCuAtly - NCiy o'iii.
There has been no disorder in this
city or in the provinces, so far as
known, though it is true people here
are entirely ignorant Of what is trans
piring at Santiago, no mail having been
received from there for some time, and
the cable being in the hands OF the
government and almost exclusively de-
voted to further the military operations
which are about limited to evacuating
the interior towns and concentrating
the Snanish forces at or about the
large cities.
1t is reported here that Santa Cruz
del Sur. on the south coast Of the pro-
vince of Puerto Principe, has fallen
into the hands of the insurgents. Ii
this is the case, the latter now have
port at which their friends can land
arms, ammunition and supplies with
cut interference
The officers Of the Spanish gunboat
Cuba Esnanola have reached Sanct
Spiritus, province of Santa Clara, by
land and are on their way to Iunas,
and from there by coasting steamer TO
Cienfuegos. One report has it that the
commander of the Cuba Espanola burn
ed or blew up the vessel in order to
save it from falling into the hands OF
the insurgents. Another version OF
the affair says the gunboat may have
been captured by the insurgents.
Confirmation has been received here
that the Spanish troops have evacuated
JIGUNI AND BAYAMO,
in the province of Santiago de Cuba,
and that they have been occupied by
the insurgents. The Spaniards say the
troops destroyed those two towns be-
fore leaving them, but this is not be-
lieyed. The troops from those places
retreated upon Manzanillo and some of
them have reached other coast towns by
this time.
Although the prices of provisions
here are very high, it is calculated that
there is food enough obtainable to last
about five months, because it is claim
ed considerable stores were laid in be-
fore the blockade and no provisions are
allowed to be sent from there to the in
terror towns Eggs costs 10 cents each,
a glass of milk costs from 20 to 25
cents. and the size Of the loaf of bread
has been reduced one-half. This, how
ever, was done before the blockade be-
gan.
There are thousands of men from the
cigar. tobacco and other factories out
of work, and the authorities are en-
ploying as many Of them as possible on
the Notifications. The wharves are en-
tirely cleared of merchandise, not a
box, barrel or sack being seen, and
there the idle people congregate and
enjoy the fresh air while talking over
the war. The number Of men idle is a
matter which causes the authorities
considerable anxiety. Up to the pres
ent they have been provided with food
in one way or another, mainly by their
former employers being compelled to
contribute toward their maintenance: :
but the time must come when these