The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1898-06-07
HAVANA THIRTEEN DAYS AGO

mOOred at the same pIdce, IN SIGHT u
Santiago de Cuba.
| HAVANA THIRTEEN DAYS AGO
Copyright, 1898. by the Associated Press)
Havana, May 25, via Vera Cruz, Mexico,
Nav S0-The news Of the arrival at San
tiago de Cuba of what is known here as
the first division of the Spanish fleet mas
considerably lightened the hearts of the
Spaniards and the news has been received
with great rejoicing. The feeling Of sat
isfaction is all the more intense, as 1t is
hoped that the Spanish war ships will
soon enter the harbor Of Havana, after
which, uniting with the second division
Of the fleet, under Admiral Camara, it is
believed the naval forces of Spain will
attempt to strike decisive blow at some
part Of the United States. At least, this
is the view of the situation taken by the
Spanish authorities here.
Havana and the rest of the island of
Cuba, so far as heard from, are officially
pronounced TO be entirely quiet No riots
or other disturbances are reported to
have occurred and the inhabitants pro-
fess themselves to be longing for an en-
counter with the forces of the United
States.
Preparations for defence are being
pushed night and day and work is going
on without ceasing on the Notifications
all over the island. The Spanish Off
Gals here claim that if $4,000 men were
needed to attack Havana by land and sea
when the war broke out, at least 100000
men will be required to attack the Cuban
capital, in view of the strengthened forti-
fications. and also because the so-called
cultivated zone" has been extended to
Rincon. Calabara. Dejucal, etc. which
are inside Of the defenses now, thus, it is
claimed, making Havana a Spanish Sc
bastopol. This increase in the cultivated
area about Havana will, it is asserted
support the inhabitants with food al
though not with luxuries, for long time
to come.
In spite Of this outwardly cheerful as
pect of affairs, bitterly anxious feelings
exist. People go so far as to charge Senior
Moret, the former minister of the colo
MES of Spain, with being a traitor and
having sold Cuba to the United States"
This causes discomfort to prevail. and, IL
the Spanish feet does not arrive here
before food really becomes scarce, terrible
rioting may be reported.
There are hardly any business transac-
tons and the city looks deserted, there
being few people on the streets. The
families remain at home. except when
the sound of a gun from one of the forts
causes the people to rush to the windows
or into the streets, and if several are
fred thousands rush to the wharves, to
the vicinity of the bay and to San La
FARO avenue, to see if the American fleet
is approaching.
Although the streets are almost desert
ed certain points of vantage are occu-
pied by groups of people from early morn
ing until late at night. This is particu-
larly the case with La Punta, which IS
generally crowded from daybreak until
dark
The spaniards comment continually
upon the tactics Of the American fleet,
and. naturally. they are very severe In
their criticisms. for they do not under
stand the method of warfare adopted
Many of them so so far as to say that
the United States is not prepared for
war. that no plans have been decided
upon and that the authorities a Wash
ington are not serious in the steps taken. /
Then. again. the SpaniaTds are rejoicing
greatly at the reported small amount Of /.
damage done by the American lombard
monts and they also pretend 70 be happy I
over the seeming delay. which. they
claim. IS giving Spain the opportunity to f.
prepare a more vigorous defense than /
otherwise could have been made. Indeed. /
the Spanish and military authorities are
BEGINNING 20 nurse themselves with the 1
belief that the military and naval power .
Of the United States has been exaEger- /
sted ny the newspapers and they are .
comforting themselves with the idea that
Spain is showing herself able to fght
such a giant as the United States.
Advices from Cabairen and other
towns show that a scarcity 81 provisions
exists. and Puerto Principe reports that /
many families have left that city for
the country districts.
No recent encounters between he Snar-
sh troops ard the Insurgents have been
reported and the Official rports only refer
to insignificant skf-nishes. in which the
Snaniards. of course. have had the ad-
vantage.
Railroad communication between the
province Of Santa Clara ard the provinces
y Matauzas and Havana has been inter
-upted several times and the trains are
sometimes twenty-fcu~ hours overdue on
account Of the blowing up OF culve-ts by
he insurgents. The damage. however. :
soon repaired. This has happened even
n the province Of Havana. Twice within
The last ten days cuiverts have been de-
'troyed with dynamite. in one case near
Niuas. six miles from Havana. and in
he other case near GuInes.
Blu; Il is maintained that there Is no
-eal interruption Of railroad traffic. the
telegraph lines ara working wen and
he insurgents IN this province are not
giving any signs OF lie. In fact, were 1.