The herald., 1898-05-10

foreigners are In great danger and confirms
the reports by lately arrived fugitives that
two more British warships have gone to
join the Pearl for the purpose of protecting
British subjects in Southern Cuban ports.
1t Is impossible to obtain Porto Rico
news here. owing to the strict censorship
of all cable dispatches.
A prominent Spaniard, in an interview,
dtscredits the presence Of the Alfonso XIII
or other Spanish battleships In these
waters. He says the Spanish fleet will
come en- masse, not in sections, II at all,
but he believes that Spain does not intend
to prosecute naval operations In the West
Indies, preferring to induce the American
fleet to attack her In her own waters. He
says the entire Spanish fleet will be mobil-
lied in home waters. Moreover, Spain does
not believe the United States seriously con-
templates military operations in Cuba
prior to decisive naval combat.
For this reason, Spain is making every
effort to win a naval victory. Spain thinks
1t more certain at home than in American
waters.
Gomez's Forces
NEW YORK, May "a commissioner
sent to Gomez's camp has returned here
thanks in behalf of Cuba to the United
States, letter to President Mckinley and
one each to General Miles and Admiral
Sampson. also thanks to the American
people, says dispatch to the World from
Key West.
Gomez wants food, clothing and United
States troops in order named. Armed and
supplied, he promises to drive the block
AIDED Spaniards out in six months.
Cubans in general wish arms, and Ameri-
can troops to bring them. All are pro-
foundly grateful and anxious to be put in
condition to fight.
Gomez formally declares his readiness to
cooperate with Miles and Sampson, and
now the United States have available the
principal land forces necessary to take
Havana without risking many of our own
soldiers.
Hunger In the fields almost equals Wey-
ler's cemetery towns. Ten thousand Gu
ban revolutionists have died in the last
four months.
Gomez's own forces in Santa Clara are
now living precariously on small game
Other portions are worse and but 1000
healthy soldiers remain. Using trans
ports simultaneously in different points
along the narrow channel, can in two weeks
put US in Havana.
Pedro Diaz and Marta Rodriguez are
under the experienced and skillful Gomez,
and there are fully 10000 more Cubans
anxious to fight If armed, equipped and fed
by the United States.
Exampled by few regular troops, the
most moderate estimate is 10000 Cubans,
of which at least half have heard bullets
before. Conditions in the blockaded island
beggar description.
Need More Arms
NEW YORK, May 9.-The Evening
Posts Key West correspondent today says:
An artist, who has just arrived from
Gomezs camp, says that there are $4,000
Cubans in the neighborhood of Sancti
Spiritus. but they are short of arms and
ammunition. They also have difficulty in
obtaining sufficient food, but are full of
enthusiasm and desire to cooperate with
our army.
The condition Of the reconcentrados is
described as pitiable in the extreme.
Tampa Defenses
TAMPA, Fla, May 9.-Four guns of the
same calibre as those already in the ar
tillery camp at Port Tampa arrived here
today, and were assigned to various bat
teries at Port Tampa, all Of which are now
equipped with their full complement Of six,