The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1898-06-23
AT CUBA'S CAPITAL.
RLANco HAS t25, 900 MEN AND ALSO
STRONG OgFeNSsS.

Yors-An Interesting Narrative of Ar
fairs in the Biockaded City-Pl-nty of
Provisions but Famine Prices.
Few York, June 22-The Atlas line
steamer Aital arrived at Pier 6, North
river, yesterday from Kingston. Jamai-
ca, and other West Indian ports. AM
ong her passengers We're British rcfu-
gees from Havana and several Cubans
who, after the declaration OF war, mad
made their way to Kingston.
The refugees We're coHTeyed from
Havana to Kingston two weeks ago
by the English warship Talbot.
They say that after leaving the Gu
ban capital, the Talbot was fired upon
first by blank and next with solid
shot by one Of the American tugboats
doing blockade duty. The latter, upon
discovering its mistake, gave UP the
chase and returned to its post. The
incident caused little surprise on the
British warship, but the officers after
wards considered the warllke attitude
cf the tugboat a good joke. They ad-
mitted that the Americans aboard the
tiny craft were plucky fellows to pit
their small Founders against rified
cannon of large calibre. If the British
warship had been a Spaniard the tug
would doubtless have Joined battle.
One of the Aitals passengers, a
young Englishman, who declines to
give his name for publication, speak
ing about the situation in Havana at
the time of his leaving, fortnight ago,
said:
There ds plenty of provisions, but on
account of the blockade merchants are
demanding such high prices that the
poor classes are unable to purchase
them. These people, of course, are
| living on short rations, and, as the
blockade continues they will suffer and
many Of them will be starved to death.
All the Cubans opposed to Spanish
rule on the island who could sneak out
of Havana have gone to live in the
fields and take their chances with the
insurgents, who are crowding in to-
wards the line of forts on each side
Of the city.
Havana is to-day much better pro-
tected than at the time of the declara-
ton of war. Had the latter been fol-
lowed up by dash and fierce bonn
bardment of the forts at the entrance
of the harbor. the city would have sur
rendered quickly.
But not a moment in the delav of
the attack by the Americans has been
lost by Blanco. Night and day the SOL
dlers are at work mouhting new guns,
placing mines or constructing earth
works along the shore and away back
In the country. Blanco has a large
force at his command, regiments and
volunteers, which can roughly be esti-
mated at 125,000 men.
Until the declaration came the
Spaniards never thought that the Uni
led States would so to war for the Gu
bans. Even the destruction of the
Maine was not considered to be suffi-
cient cause for the Americans to join
in the fight. But. at last, when Nc
Kinley and Congress decided to make
war, Blanco began his preparations for
defence. They are going on still and
unless the Spaniards prove to be alb
iect towards, the taking of Havana
will not be accomplished without ter
ole encounter and a great sacrifice of
lives on both sides. The Spaniards in
the city. who now consider themselves
secure, laugh at the delay on the part
Of the Americans for their failure to
fall upon Havana Immediately after
they decided to fight for the freedom
of Cuba.
There are hundreds of Americans in
the city anxious to get out before the
oombardment commences, but unfort-
nnately they will have to remain, for
the British consul, who Is supposed to
be looking after the interests of cit.-
Gems Of the United States in Havana
will do nothing for them. This is not
hearsay. for l pleaded with him to al
low an American friend of mine named
Carpenter to accompany me on the
Talbot to Kingston.
1.-The consul refused to let Carpen-
ter leave, saying that NO Americans
would be permitted on the Talbot.
Strange to say, however, he put sew
sral Spanish officers aboard the Brit
LSh warship and they were taken to
Kingston. One of these was Comman-
iante Ramon Mendez, who had been the
military censor in Havana. If Amerl-
| cans were not to be allowed on the
neutral warsbip consider 1t a shame
| 20 have permitted Spanish military offi-
-tals on the Talbot.
THE British consul in Havana is
supposed to be looking after the inter-
ssts OF American citizens, but although
nn Englishman myself. 1 consider 1t my
duty to let the world know how unfair
the representative of her majesty's
government and the delegated repre-
sentative of the United States has act
ed in the case OF Carpenter and other
,itizens of the United States in the be-
| eagured city"
| The other refugees from Havana
were n Mr.. Goudy, a commission mer-
,hant and his family, and Samuel Gil
oerga, Costa Rlcan consul to Havana
| EhMhu La LIE SEkIhIE