The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1898-05-23
A CUBAN LAWYER
REACHES KEY WEST.
Says There Was Great Loss Of
Life in the Affair at Cardenas.
Great Distress and Suffering Exists
Among the Insurgents, as Well as
the Gubnns In the Cities-Ihe
Prices of All Food Reach Extra
ordinary Figures, and Spanish
Refuse to Sell to Cubans mt All.

Copyrighted. 1898. by the Associated Press.
KEY WEST. May 22.-6 p. m.-The tran
qullity of tropical Sunday has been un-
disturbed by definite information from any
quarter. A few naval uniforms on the
streets are the only signs of the proxim-
ity OF this languid town to the theater OF
war. There are only one or two ships in
the harbor. and they are coaling with all
haste TO get away to join their fellows in
an action which all are convinced is only
a matter of days, perhaps hours.
Speculation is still concentrated on the
whereabouts of Admiral Cervera's squad
ron, the general opinion favoring some
point on the southern coast. AS both
sides of the island are now patrolled by
United States warships, the naval author
flies will not admit the possibility of Ger
vera's escape without the most desperate
conflict in the history of naval warfare.
Reports from Admiral Simpsons squad
ron say that all is quiet off the northern
coast of Cuba. Nothing from Commodore
Schley is expected before Monday or Tues
day. A rumor reached here that four
American warships, while bombaraing
Santiago de Cuba, had been driven off by
the Spanish fleet, but the story Is general
ly discredited Where it came from is
mystery.
Senior Ernesto Castro. a well-known law
yer. and president OF the revolutionary
junta of Cardenas. arrived here today on
tire gunboat Annapolis. During the recent
engagement at Cardenas Senor Castro was
in the bay In a small boat. trying TO reach
the American vessels and get rransporta-
ton to the United States, on an important
mission. He was compelled to return to
the shore, where he saw and heard Of the
results OF the bombardment.
The Spanish gunboats which iured the
United States torpedo boat Winslow into
the death trap were the Antonio ie Lopez,
I.ealtad and Lgerau. During the fight
the two former resreated behind the
wharves and the IAngerau behind the
quay. 1t was the Antonio Lopez that
opened fire on the Winslow ana decoyed
her into the trap. The Spanish troops
formed on the public square, not daring to
go 20 the wharves: all the Spanish flags
were lowered, as they furnished targets.
and the families all fled 20 Jovelianos..
senor Castro says an American shelf ex-
ploded in the very entrance 10 the Span
.sh casino. shater.ng IL ard setting the
building on fire.
The Casino which had been used as 4
military headquarters and infantry bar
racks. and which was the largest struc-
.u-e IN the town. was utterly destroyed.
Other buildings were wrecked. Some Of
The shots vent 50 far as the Triente plan
ta;ion. two miles Ia the interior. The
Spanish Joss Of life. Senor Castro believes
to have been very heavy. IL was So re
ported.
After the bombariulent ceased. the mill
tary commander pressed all ahie-bodled
uea into the work of carrying sand 10
buEd new batteries and the next day
Il 90 men were brought from Maganzas
and Havana 10 continue tbs work.
seno- Castro after passing four days or
the Pied-as key, s.gnaled the United States
Csinboa: Wilmington and wss taken off
He says famine preva-.s sFerywtere &.
Cuba IL Czgaeuaz rtee Is twenty-five
Goats q pound. condensed milk sells az
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