The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-05-20
Probably a Reconnaissance for the
Purpose of Learning Where the
Cables Could BE Cut.
CITY MENACED BY INSURGENTS
ATTEMPT MADE TO CUT OFF vEG-
ETABLE AND MEAT SUPPLIES.
All Quiet at the BfOcknded Ports--fn-
cidents OF the BOmbardment of
the Port of San Juan.
Ccopyright, 1895, by the Associated press.)

Copyright. 1898, by the Associated Press.)
KINGSTON, Jamaica. May 19-s p. ni.--
Two American war ships, whose names
were not discernibe from the shore, APP
peared off Santiago de Cuba yesterday
while the steamer Adula, which has arrived
here from that port with refugees, was In
the harbor. They approached ard drew the
fire Of the batteries at the harbor entrance.
1t is not certain whether the war ships re-
piled to the fire. The firing continued from
noon to l o'clock. Captain Walker, of the
Adula, when coming out, could not see any
marks on Morro Castle, and inferred that
the American ships drew the fire of the
batteries to learn the range
There was much excitement In the city,
The regulars and volunteers were called
out and new earthwork batteries erected on
each side of the harbor entrance. The num-
ber and calibre of the guns are unknown,
but it is known that there are twerty-one
torpedoes in the channel electrically con-
nected with the shore.
The cruiser Mercedes, whose boilers are
disabled has been anchored so she con raks
the channel for three hundred yards,
The merchant ship Mexico of Barcelona,
mounting four small quick-firing guns. is in
the harbor Several coasting steamers and
schooners are at the wharves.
A few days ago German steamer
brought 1900 bags of rice to Santiago de
Cuba. Rice and sardines are the principal
food supplies.
Last night when about sixty miles from
Santiago de Cuba seven large stea1neSS,~
moving In two columns, crossed the Adula's
course, going west. They were evidently
war ships, but their nationality could not
be identified The Adula brought 255 pas
sengers
Senior Domingo Capote, vice president and
formerly one of the ablest lawyers in Ha-
vana, landed from open sail boat on the
north side of Jamaica, near Falmouth to-
day With nin Gervasio Sabio, a sea
captain. Senor Capote is on his way to the
United States to consult with the American
government He is understood to have fun
powers to make an important treaty. He
and Captain Sabio are now In quarantine
1t was intimated in washington yester-
day that an attempt might be made to
isolate Captain General Blanco by cutting
the submarine cables at Santiago de Cuba,
and it is presumed the ships which appeared
off Santiago were accommodating for that
purpose. Santiago de Cuba was formerly
the capital of Cuba and is now the second
city in rank and Importance in the island.
1t is situated on the southern coast in the
province of Santiago de Cuba, six miles from
the mouth of the River Santiago Its port,
four miles long, is well sheltered, defended
by several forts and deep enough for the
largest ships The population at the be-
ginning of the insurrection was 5000 Two
telegraph lines and one shore cable connect
the city with Havana, submarine cables
also run to Jamaica and Haiti, thence to
South America and from there connect with
the Atlantic cables to Lisbon. 1t is by these
means Captain General Blanco has been
able to keep in communication with Madrid.