The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-04-23
MARTIAL LAW IN CUBA
ANOTHER DECREE ISSUED BY Cap
TAIN GENERAL BLANCO.
The Island Declared to BE in State
of War-Comments of the Press
ON the blockade.

HAVANA, April 22.-Captain General
Blanco has published decree confirming
his previous DEGREES and declaring the
island to be in state of war. He also an
nuls his former similar DEGREES granting
pardon to insurgents, and places under
martial law all those who are guilty Of
treason, espionage, crimes against peace or
against the independence of the nation, Sc
ditious revolts, attacks against the form Of
government or against the authorities. or
against those who disturb public order,
though only by means of printed matter
The colonial government has published q
manifesto protesting against the interview
tion of the United States 'at the moment Of
establishment of the new regime and pOlt-
ical liberty, and when Cuba for the first
time was going to elect a colonial parlia-
ment, replacing SPANS sovereignty in Cuba
with autonomy" The manifesto also init
mates that it is the intention of the United
States to annex Cuba, and adds 1T is the
duty of all inhabitants TO repel the invad-
ers. Remember the heroic conduct of the
defenders of Havana over a century ago
against the invaders of Albemarle' (refer-
ring to the British invasion.) The mani
festo concludes with acclaiming Spain,
Spanish Cuba, the King and the Queen
Regent.
The papers here are praising the "ener-
getic attitude of the Madrid government
in not receiving the ultimatum of the United
States and in giving United States Minister
Woodford his passports. Spaniards here re-
Ceived the news with rejoicing, asserting
that the conduct of the authorities at Ma
drid has been uncomprofnising that
even if the United States to-day did not
wish to go to war 1t would be obliged to do
So" In political circles the belief is also
expressed that Spains provocation i'm the
matter of the ultimatum will precipitate
hostilities.
The Impartial says; "As we are writing
the war ships of the United States will have
commenced to execute the ignoble crime de-
creed by Washington, namely, the blockade
of Havana. But the guns OF our batteries
are about to speak. The moment has ar
rived to prove the endurance and courage
of the army, which is so DESTROYS of gaining
glory. The first shot fired by the Yankees
ought to be the signal for a complete uni
son of all Spaniards in defense of the
fatherland. Spain has snatched victory from
more perilous situations"
The Chamber of Commerce met in ex-
traordinary session to-day to take into con-
sideration the state of public affairs and 10
plan the next measures, IN combination
with the military authorities, 10 avoid
surprise. General ArolaS. the military gov
ernor, has taken supreme charge of the
civil government of the city, and Senior
attention to sanitary precautions.
There is no foundation for the rumor CIR
ish cruiser Alfonso XII had been blown up.
The day began with fine weather and blue
sky, but at this hour, !o:45 p: mo-, black
clouds are gathering, indicating tropical
Spanish patriotic sentiment is now stirred
up and the Spaniards are DESTROYS of engag-
ing in the first naval combat, relying for
their future success upon being victorious.
All the morning papers contain patriotc
editorials and articles urging the lnhabl-
tants to take up arms against the inVad~
ers."
The directors of the Produce and Stock
Exchanges visited the captain general this
morning in order to offer him their uncondi-
tional support. In so doing they notlhed
the general that they had taken steps TO
avoid a rise in the price of provisions and
to expel all members who attempt to alter
prices. They added that in case of necessity
they will furnish free provisions to the gar
rison and to the poor of the city.
The ladies of the Red Gross Society have
also called on the captain general. They
offered their services during the war ana
asked him to provide provisions for a
kitchen for the poor which 1T is proposed
to establish Immediately.
$50 D. m-El PAS, in its editorial says:
1.-The Spanish government has broken on
diplomatic relations with the United states
because it prefers to turn it's back with he
role disdain rather than to receive an IN
sulting ultimatum- Let us so TO war. me
Americans have taken off their masks,
their pretensions of good will, just when the
country was coming to a state OF peace ana
to realize the benefits of free self-goVern-
ment as good as their own. Their attitude
removes any doubt as to their purpose 10
possess the island If they can. They tram
pie now upon their humanitarian profess
SlpHS. Inc same mana WHICH, siiolt I'M
ago, extended food, now draws the sword
in defiance of their pacific assurances. But
If the Washington government undertakes
to get possession of the key of the Mexican
gulf 1t will need to shed much blood If THIS
country falls into the power of Americans
nothing will be left but massacre. and an
the waters of the Mexican gulf will not be
enough to wash off the spot on American
history
The evening papers describe in lively
colors last nights demonstration of patriot
ic ardor against the stranger and the in
vader When this dispatch is filed 1t Is not
yet known positively whether the United
States fleet has been ordered to blockade
the ports of the island.
Business to-day is paralyzed and eX-
change is weaker.
The Ward line steamer Saratoga, bound
for New York, carries over 200 passengers.
81 100000 in gold shipped by JTpnan & Co.,
$265, coo in gold shipped by ]. NJ. Borjes.