Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-06-17
HE HAD CONTRABANO
Though Captain Of the Twickenham
Disclaims Guilty knowledge.
ADVICES FROM INTERIOR OF CUBA
Insurgents in Complete Control
Outside the Cities.
SPANISH GUNBOATS QUIET,

Special Dispatch to The Evening Star
KEY WEST, Fla. June III had a chat
with Captain Roberts of the captured
British coal steamer Twickenham last
night. While he disclaims all knowledge
OF his vessel being chartered by the Span
ish government, it is evident that he ex-
pected to tranship his coal to a Spanish
hull
All L can say is that did my duty" he
said.
Il sailed under orders from Martinique,
where lay for three weeks A Spanish tor
pedo boat destroyer WAS there but there
was no proposition made to coal her from
Martinique. 1 sailed under orders for
Kingston. II 1 had landed at any Cuban
pert i should have broken my charter, as
i. excluded my touching at any Spanish
pert"
After his capture he was taken to Rear
Admiral Sampson off Santiago. who init
mated that he had ample proof that the
Twickenham was chartered by the Spanish
government, and prize crew was ordered
to convoy her to Key West, and to keep
within sight of the Cuban coast.
Il have nothing to complain OF beyond
the fact that for the last two days my
every movement has been watched, and I
have been followed by armed MARINE"
the captain added.
Conclusive Evidence Found.
1t is stated today that the most conclu-
sive evidence has been found against the
Twickenham, going to prove that she was
undoubtedly sailing under the orders OF
the Spanish consul after leaving Marti-
nique. Several papers in her log book are
missing.
The Spanish officer now held here as a
prisoner. was found disguised as a fireman.
hidden in the engine room. An examna-
tion of mis- effects proved that he un-
doubtedly the second mate of the Spanish
hospital ship Alicante, lying off Martinique.
Naval officers believe that this ship is
supplying the Spanish torpedo boats with
coal.
Negotiations said to be foot for
the purchase of the British steamer Re
stormel by The government for a collier.
Two Cuban Commissfons.
Two Cuban commissions here.
who Were picked UP by our steamer, one
frcm point west of Havana, the other
frcm a point between Cardenas and Ma
tanzas The latter is in charge OF Major
Prado. He is accompanied by two lieu
scarcity of provisions, they are healthy and
robust.
Major Prado said: "We have come here
to report and to seek provisions. In the
district where came from we have 200
men well armed, while the Spaniards, TAX
ing Cardenas and Matanzas tcgether have
probably fifteen or sixteen thousand.
Still, We are I'm complete control OF the
country UP to within few miles of either
place. Early in this month 20U Of our men
had an engagement with 5000 Spaniards
in the woods back Of Cardenas The Span
iards admitted that they lost fifty men
killed, while did not lose a man. We
we're in the brush, and they could not dis
lodge US.
Food is very scarce. both in Matanzas
and Cardenas. The Spaniards have 10 corn,
and are feeding their horses on rye. Gomez
is in the central part of Santa Clara prov
ince and in need OF proyisiors and ammu-
nition.''
The other Cuban arrivals are Col. Arnao
and Major Soto, who came from western
Cuba, the Nuelta Abajo district.
Cubans in Good Health.
There they report the Cubans to be in
good health and hopeful. but subsisting only
OIL fruits and herbs. They are nearly max ID,
so Senor Pogo says. In Pinar Del Rio
there are reported to be from l. 900 to 1900
Spaniards, well armed and about 5000
Cutans. Both commissions reported to
Senor Pogo of the junta and are here after
pro visions and ammunition
Advices from the bockading squadron off
Havana report that the Spanish gunboats
have not attempted any demon stra ton since
a week ago last Sunday, when four of the
gunboats attempted TO entice our fleet un-
der the guns of the forts. A. L. NJ.
STATEMENT OF THE STEWARD.