Marietta daily leader. (Marietta, Ohio) 1895-1906, 1898-04-09
At Havana, From Blanco Down,
the Feeling Is One of
Resignation.
MADE FOR AN ATTACK
While in Their Very Hearts They
Know the City Can Be
Easily Captured.
A Calm at Washington That Is ominous-
1t Comes From the Firm Conviction
That the Battle will
Soon BE On.

New YORK, April S.-A dispatch TO
the Tribune from Havana says: This
community awaits developments with
stoical indifference. Among the Off
cials, from Blanco down, the feeling is
one of resignation. They are despcr-
ate, but they have done what they
could to save the remnant of Spain's
sovereignty in Cuba They have also
made the best preparation possible for
repulsing hostile attack. Some army
and navy officers have real faith in the
extensive land batteries and in the
harbor defenses of Havana The high
er officials, however, fear that if the
point of hostilities is reached and that
landing of American troops on the is
land is desirable for strategic pur-
poses, they will be landed at Matanzas
and other places and march overland
while Havana is blockaded
HAVANA. April S.-Everything is
quiet here and the state of waiting. eX-
pectancy and doubt continues as it has
during the past week or more. Ac-
cording to outward appearances there
is absolutely no change in the usual
routine of life in happy, tropical
city. Good Friday, with its proper OBJ
servance, is more the topic in the pub
lie mind here than war or diplomacy.
From Friday on, all code telegrams
from or to Cuba must be translated at
the censor's Office with the code books
in sight.
WASHINGTON, April s.-There is less
m a n Foe a tinn nf ayaitnrnant "oS h
iagtcn Friday morning than at any
tine since the war talk began. This
lack of excitement is due to the fact
tAat congress and the public believe
t at they know substan TALLY what the
president will say in his message on
Monday, are satisfied that the message
will so in on Monday and that there
will be war, unless Spain i'm
mediately yields at every point. A
belief in war brings calm. A sug-
gestion of peace without the liberty OF
Cuba causes excitement The PERIODS
of great excitement have all been
brought about by intimations that the
administration might not stand firmly
to the position which the country de-
mands and that Spain might be per-
mitted to retain her sovereignty in
Cuba. Friday opinion was crystal
lized, and in no quarter is doubt en-
pressed that the Spanish are TO be
compelled to evacuate Cuba
This conviction brings contcntment
to congress and to the public here.
This is shown not less in administra-
ton circles than at the capitol. In
the departments active preparations
for war are being made as heretofore,
but it is understood in congress that
the government is ready even now for
the opening Of hostilities. Nothing is
expected to happen here until the
presidents message is received. There
is perfect understanding that nothing
can happen to change the situation
unless it happens at Madrid If Spain
pulls down her flag at Havana, it viii
not be fred on. If not, war will come
probably before the close of next week.
The cabinet meeting Friday occupied
a little over an hour and half. 1t
was mainly devoted to an informal dis
cussion of the situation. The pres;-
dents demeanor was grave throughout
and the proceedings indicated that
there was no expectation on the part |
of the administration that war
would be averted. 1t can be
positively stated that there was
no fresh development in the |
brought to the attention of |
the cabinet nor any dispatches or COM
munications of any sort placed before
it. The joint note of the powers was
considered, but that it will have prac-
tically no effect on the situation as it |
now exists, was plainly evident. Con-
sui General Lee it was reiterated. |
would surely leave Havana Saturday,
according to the cabled instructions.
Pending the actual elimination of |
the diplomatic developments now
rapidly approaching a head, the ad-
ministration is steadfastly and con-
sistently avoiding all possible outward
evidence of the crisis. The Cuban
message will be placed before congress
next Monday, unless some radical and |
unexpected event should happen to
change the firmly fixed intention of
the president, and meantime the evac-
uation of the American citizens from
Cuba will continue and Gen. Woo dford
viii arrange his affairs so as to leave
at moments notice.
King ChrIstian's Eiehtieth Rtr,hd,r