The evening times., 1898-06-22
THE ISLE OF PINES.
II Will he Declared in n state Of
Blockade.

There is reason to believe that the Ad-
ministration is seriously contemplating
the extension of the Cuban blockade. TO
prevent the further smuggling of supplies
into Havana.
1t is understood the matter has been
referred to the Naval War Board for the
views of that body and that when the
latter have been submitted the President
will take the necessary action. Consider
alton of the subject is due to the charac-
ter of the reports made by Commodore
Watson. commanding the blockading
squadron. and by American consuls in
Mexico and in the islands near Cuba
These reports show that supplies have
been shipped into Havana, not through
the ports which have been blockaded,
but through Batabano, a port on the
southern coast of Cuba, directly opposite
Havana and near the Isle of Pines. which
was not declared in state of blockade
by the Presidents proclamation.
Secretary Long testified today to the
effectiveness of the blockade. He said he
had no reason to believe that any goods
We're being shipped into Cuba through
blocka ded ports.
Department officials point out that un-
der the Presidents proclamation the dis
trict declared in Il state of blockade is
the north coast of Cuba including ports
on said coast between Cardenas and Ba-
hia Honda. and the port of Cienfuegos
on the south coast of Cuba
C1enfuegos. therefore. is the only port
officially declared in a state of blockade
on the southern Cuban coast Hence. neu-
tral vessels have a right to convey sup
yn1 H. IL
no. provided they are not contraband of
war.
1t has been officially made known to
the authorities that supplies are sent
from fucatan and Jamaica to the Isle
of Pines. These supplies are then car
ried across the island to the north side
and from thence taken in small sailing
vessels to Batabano. which is connected
by railroad with Havana. These goods
are sent in neutral bottoms. and are
therefore exempt from capture by Amer
lean warships. Although sighted by
American warships. and in some in
stances examined. the naval command
ers. under the instructions given them
have been compelled to release the ships
in every instance, for the reason that II
was impossible to prove that they were
bound for blockaded ports. and were
therefore liable to seizure as blockade
runners.
1t is appreciated by the authorities tina,
it will be possible for spectators to
maintain a thriving trade with Captain
General Blanco. unless measures are TAX
en- to blockade Batabano and the ports
of the Isle of Pines. If this be done 1t
will be necessary for the President to is
sue a second proclamation.
1t is understood in official circles that
no action will be taken in this matter
until the return of the men-of-war to the
blockading squadron, which were de-
tached and sent to convoy the troop
ships to Santiago de Cuba. AS soon as
the return of the ships is reported it will
be possible to extend the blockade, but
it would be manifestly improper to do
so now, the authorities say. for the rea-
son that 1t would distribute the compar-'
atively few ships now performing block
ade duty over too great a district, and
would enable blockade runners to slip
through.