The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1898-03-30
But Blanc0 Says 1t May Be Precipi-
tated BY Americans.
CAN SUBDUE NATIVES
BUT NEWSPAPER CORRESPOND
ENTs ARE DANGEROUS.
Serene Confidence of the Spaniards
That Havana Is Impregnable-
Food Supply In Event OF War
Army Officers Who Stand In With
Contractors-our People.

Washington, March 29-Assistant
Secretary Day said that there was no
basis for the reports that riots and dis
turbances were threatened in Havana.
The state department posted the fol-
lowing statement:
"A telegram from General Lee shows
! there is no occasion for the alarming
reports as to the situation in Ha-
Vana'
1t appears. however, that Captain
General Blanco has sent a communica-
ton to Washington in which he says
he believes that a. demonsr ation may
be precipitated at any moment by an
element made up of certain Americans
of strong anti-Spanish tendency now at
Havana
NONE FROM CUBANS.
General Blanco states that he does not
fear any disturbances and riots COM
ing from the Cuban people. The sug-
gestiOn that the Weyler element is
threatening riots is emphatically repu
dated by the captain general, who eX-
presses complete confidence in his abil-
ity to preserve quiet among the native
people. He is convinced, he says, that
a riotous demonstration at Havana,
amounting to an overt act, designed to
precipitate war between the United
States and Spain, is being systematical-
ly fomented by a certain class of Amer
lean citizens.
General Blanco clearly and unequivo-
cally declares that the presence of
American correspondents in Cuba
makes the situation, in his view, more
critical
SPANISH CONCEIT.
Havana, March 29-It is impossible to
explain or understand the serene conf
dence of the civil, military and naval
officials here, who, believing war with
the United States is imminent declare
Havana is impregnable. They are
pleased to attribute the ''impregnabili-
ty" TO what they term the "centraliZa-
ton of a heavy crosS-fire," referring to
the number of heavy guns Ga few p
inch guns, and the majority s and 10
inch guns), mounted along the horse
shoe curve of the shore above and be-
low the narrow entrance of the harbor.
When asked if they supposed United
States war vessels could enter under
such a cross-fire. the Spaniards shrug
their shoulders and smile as to a grave
question. AS to the food supply, for
which no apparent provision has been
made, the Spanish officers have nothing
to say. But the Spanish merchants.
bankers and other prominent people
here are not so confident, nor are they
so reticent. Such people aver that if
Havana is attacked and no stores are
provided to feed the besieged, the SOL
diers will be the first to rebel, even to
the extent of blowing up the palace it
self.
Everybody recognizes that there is no
food in the country districts. and it is
generally admitted that the insurgents
will keep the troops outside busy in
case of hostilities between Spain and
the United States.
WHY WAR LASTS.
A Spanish banker of prominence said |
to this correspondent: 1T is hard to eX- !
plain why the war has lasted here so |
long. Corn costs 90 cents bushel de- I,
livered in Havana. This is a maximum /
price. For years the contractors have |
been selling this corn to the troops at |
81 gold, for a package of % pounds. |
Every official has had his bit of out
this. and corn is only one item. The end |
Of this war to these men means a play
ing out gold mine"
Whatever news there is in the meet
Ings and decision of the naval board /
of Captain Chadwick and
Lieutenant Commanders Cowles and
over the remains of the
wreck must be obtained through Wash
ngton department sources. as Captain
Chadwick and his companions have re-
preston prevails generally that the
board was only perfunctory, called for
he navy regulations.