The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-04-12

KEY WEST Fla, April 1.-THE day has
been one of tension, relieved by the news of
the Presidents message, but then changed
to a feeling almost of disgust because it is
considered that the message will be treated
by Congress as a semi-routine matter. OF
course people here are ignorant of the
motives actuating Congress, or the plans
made, of the necessity for dignified delay
and of the propriety of securing time. Still,
it is hoped by all and believed by many
that the final arrangements will be for the
seizure of Havana. News from Havana
would be welcome. The correspondents who
left there such a short time ago know how
likely the populace, led by the soldiery, is
to indulge in riot possibly bloodshed. No
one takes any stock whatever in General
BlancoS armistice. All say that it is not for
Blanco, but for General Gomez to say when
The shooting is to stop. This is regarded as
particularly apropos just now when the in
surgent leaders are putting into execution
plans laid six weeks ago. The harbor here
is lively, sunny and stirring. Black little
devils of torpedo boats dash out to Sand
Key with messages for Captain Sampson.
or return With reports from that comman-
ger to the Navy Department or with de-
tails as to preparations and happenings
naval ofncers of high rank think the plan
on Havana and give twenty-four hours for
the removal of noncombatants and then 10
reduce the batteries one by one, commence
ing with Vtdado The first approach will be
from the westward as was long ago decided
upon because of the range of five of the
tWelVe-inch guns.
1t is a mistake to assume as was done
formerly, that the Spaniards are short of
powder. The correspondent of the Asso-
ciated Press knows that the city of Havana
is well supplied, though whether with brown,
heXagonal or prismatic is not known. There
is very little, If any, smokeess powder in
store. Several ten-inch guns and some
eight-inch guns command the westward APP
proach, but the Iowa or the Indiana could
reduce them within a few hours. 1t is like
ly that IT, Sttle e more -. than day
before the Spanish flag would be
down on Ell Moro or Cabanas. Then the
harbor must be detonated for torpedoes and
submarine mines. Possibly the government
knows the exact location of the firing sta
ton of the mines. AS to torpedoes more
doubt is felt. No one seems to discuss the
probability of a peaceful blockade similar to
that in Crete last autumn. There has been
starvation enough in Havana without the
United States adding to its victims if that
can possibly be avoided.
There are persistent rumorS, emanating
from high naval quarters, that the cruiser
New York Will be ordered to Hampton
Roads to join the flying squadron, while the
battle ship Massachusetts Will take the New
York's place here.
Rumors of all sorts are as plentiful as ever
in Key West. Among others are reports
that the Queen Regent has been deposed
and General Blanco and Secretary Congosto
have been killed.
Indirect advices from Cuba show that the
insurgent population are jubilant over what
they regard as the speedy termination of
the struggle for Cuba libre. They cannot be
convinced that the United States does not
intend to recognize President Masso at once.
Several business kilograms have been re-
ceived here from Havana to-day and several
have been sent there, but at the time this
dispatch is filed no news of Importance has
been obtained in that way.