Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1898-06-22
THE BLOCKADE is WEAK.
Provisions Brought Over from the
Isle of Pines.
HAVANA IS SUPPLIED.
Stores Enough ia the Cuban Capital
to Last for Several
Months.

Key West, Fla, June ia prominent
resident of Havana, who left that place
on the 9th inst, arrived here yesterday
on his way to New York. His descrip-
ton of the situation in Havana at the
time he left contradicts widespread re-
ports of famine and suffering IN that city
and throws new light on the effective
ness of the blockade, which, it appears,
fails in its purpose as far as cutting off
all means of supplies and communication
with the outside world is concerned.
His story is entitled to full cOnsldeI.a-
tien, coming as it does from one of the
leading merchants of Havana, Il foreign
resident, unbiased in his views or sympa
thies- He reports, in the first place, that
Havana is practically an open port, as
it is not blockaded ON its southern ap-
praach. Bata bano, on the south side, is
only forty miles from Havana with
which city it is connected by rail. Bata-
BANJO has never been more than a ship
ping port and headquarters for the
sponge fisheries of Southern Cuba and a
landing place for the Isle of Pines ferry
boats, which there connect with the
northbound trains for Havana.
The water between Batab ano and the
Isle of Pines being very shallow, nowhere
exceeding nine feet in depth and there
fore inaccessible to any large craft, has
caused the Isle of Pines to be overlooked
as possible entry port or base of sup
plies for western Cuba or as a point de-
serving of greater consideration than that
attached to fifth rate and much mis-
managed penal colony.
1t appears, however. that constant tTaf-
&c has been kept up between the Isle of
Pines and the Yucatan coast and that
full cargoeS of provisions and livestock
have been regularly landed there from
steamers, schoOners and other sailing YES
sells. unmOleSted by American warSninS.
Va 1f.h rQr
The work of trans-shipping these car
goes to Batabano on the fat-bottom ferry
boats constantly plying between that port
and Nueva Guerona, the principal port of
the Isle of Pines, has been an easy mat
ter, as also their subsequent transporta-
ton to Havana by rail.
In the first four days Of June, it is as
serted, over 800 head of cattle were land
ed at Bata bano, besides large quantities
of -four and grain. Not only are the ship
ments not limited to supplies of provisions
and the necessaries of life, but, our in
formant reports, coal in large quantities is
also brought over. This statement prac-
tically confirms the reports that the Span
ish government has established large coal
depots on the Yucatan coast.
At the outbreak of hostilities it was
reported that Havana had sufficient re-
serve supplies in store to last six months.
Since then, it is asserted, fresh ship
ments have been received via Bal bano
and the Isle of Pines, far in excess of
consumption, SO that apparently so far
from suffering from the evils attendant
upon the blockade Havana has kept on
in the even tenor of unrufied exist
ence with sufficient stores on hand to
last another half year.
A gay and cheerful note in these war
like times is sounded by the announce
ment that, by way Of this same Pro
gresso-Bata bano route an intrepid
"compania de Zarzuela," or theatrical
company from Mexico made its appear
ance in Havana and has since been play
ing to full houses at the Albisu theater,
unmindful of the impending fate that
hangs over the doomed city. The daily
routine of life, il is added, continues I'M
altered, and theater parties, dances and
the usual social diversions are INDUCED
in as in times Of peace.
Considerable fear. says the Havana
merchant, has been entertained as to the
tobacco crop. Following the usages of
warfare practiced by Spaniards and Gu
bans alike, it has been confidently expected
that at least one-half of the Vuelta crop
would be ruined or set on fire in the field,
but much to the general surprise, almost
the entire output of the Vuelta Abajo and
Remedies district has been baled, shipped
and store in Havana storehouses One
firm alone, it is alleged, had 1900 bales
of '9S tobacco stored in Havana on the
LIST of June, valued at over s., 500, 600.
The general health is reported by the
merchant to be particularly good, espe-
cially for this season of the year. and he
denies the reported ravages of yellow fe
yer and smallpox on the island. He con-
firms the military activity, noticed and
recorded by the officers ou blockade duty,
and considers Havana today very strong
| ly fortified. Work on the new batteries
! and earthworks is kept up night and day,
and judging from outward and visible
| signs and from the tone and language of
| the officials and soldiery in Havana, the
| Spaniards are preparing to defend the
city to the last and intend only to strike
| their colors when the "derniere eartouche"
| has been fred