The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1898-04-27
UNDER ARMS.
BlancO Concentrates His Troops
Along the Coast
And Makes His Preparation for
Defense
AGAINST AN INVASION.
An Attack ON Havana Will Be
Signalled
From MORO Castle by Red
Lights at Night,
Or Red Flags, If 1t Comes in
DAYLIGHT.
AGAINST AN INVASION.
In Attack on Havana Will Be
Signalled
Or Red Flags, If 1t Comes in
Daylight.

Havana, April 27.-Via Ceinfeugos-
Nobody here is able to make definite
statement as to the whereabouts of the
Spanish fleet. All kinds of contradic-
tory news reaches Havana from Spain
and the United States on the subject
causing considerable confusion.
If anything definite is known official
ly regarding the naval movements of
Spain, the matter is kept a profound
secret.
The Spanish troops throughout the
island have been concentrated at differ
ent points along the coast, so as to be
ready to meet any attempt to land
troops from the United States. Thou
sands of men are reported to be enlist
ing in the volunteer battalions through
out Cuba AS very many of the men
have served in the Spanish regular
army they are expected to prove very
valuable to the defense of the island.
The following order has been issued
by the general in command of the
forces for the defense of Havana:
General Order of the Division of De-
| 'fense.
''In the event of an attack on Ha-
vana, which would make necessary the
concentration of organized forces for
it's defense, at the points already mark
out out. it will become necessary that
signals be made to announce the fact
to the city and to call to arms with the
greatest rapidity, the garrison, volun-
teerS and firemen.
with this object in view and taking
into consideration the favorable posi-
tions occupied by some of the regular
observatories established by the artil-
lery corps, also considering the very
great vigilance maintained a
troops it is natural that those points
are the best fitted to give the first sig
nal to the governor general and general
commanding as we'll as to the chiefs of
divisions Of the defense, the military
telephones being used for that pur-
pose.
when the alarm is given, all troops
volunteers and firemen will assemble
quietly at their posts and await the or
derS of their chiefs.
IF the alarm comes at night, Principe
CabaE2S and MOrro Castle, instead of
hoisting red flags, as will be the case
if the alarm occurs in daytime, will dis
play red lights
THE vigiIants and forces off public
order, policemen and police agents, if
the red lights are hoisted, will promptly
notify the inhabitants of the city in the
best manner possible to bring about the
ends desired.
Street cars and omnibuses can give
great assistance in the rapid concentra-
tion of troops at threatened points and
In6y Will 1aG1l1CaIe the
work in every manner possible.
The commission of the colonial gov
ernment, which went to confer with the
insurgent government, has not returned
and even in government and political
circles it is admitted that the efforts of
the commission to bring about a set
tlement of peace have proved a failure.
Jose NJ. Devalle, the proprietor of
magnificent central plantation at Ma
pos, in the district of Sancti Spiritus,
province of Santa Clara, Modesto Anil
H. railroad emplOye, and Arturo Chalu
and Jose Merille, prominent citizens,
with some Spanish artillery captains,
and various other people of that dis
trict, have Joined the insurgents. Senor
Devalle has been appointed a colonel
in the inSurgent army.
General PandO, the commander of the
Spanish forces in the field, when last
heard from, was travelling from Trini-
dad, Sancti Spiritus, on his way to the
JucarO Moron trOcha, from which place
he was to go to Manzanillos and San
tiago de Cuba, inspecting the forts and
other fortifications. From Santiago de
Cuba, it is said, General Pando is going
to visit all the ports on the north coast
of the island, as for as NueVitaS. He
will then go to Puerto Principe to
await developments.
The life of foreign newspaper cores
pondents in this city at present is far
from being enviable. The recent ex-
pulsion of Mr.. Ackers, the correspond
ent of the London Times, has caused
respondents among the masses, if not
in the more enlightened circles. How
ever it is generally admitted that the
government is doing everything posi-
Bile to protect the foreigners who re-
main here, Americans included, but the
authorities may not be able to prevent
some isolated cases of attacks on GER
tain persons.
The excitement caused by the recent
DEVELOPMENTS in the political situation
is very great, though of the subdued
kind. In other words, the people may
not be doing much, but they are think
ing a great deal and are determined to
make as stiff "a fight as possible, and
they feel very bitterly toward the for
eign newspaper men in consequence.
Correspondents are not allowed to OBJ
tain any information regarding the mil
itary and naval movements and it is
not wise for them to ask any questions.
The quiet maintained by the people un-
der the circumstances is astonishing to
all those who understand the Spanish
character and the only explanation
which they can furnish is that the
Spaniards are saving up their anger and
hate for the explosion which will occur
when the United States troops land
They are reading day and night of vic
tory. and are waiting anxiously for the
news of a defeat of the United States
naval forces by the Span -sh fleet.
News from Mexico an the Spanish
American republics is also awaited
here it being believed in certain quar-