The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1898-03-31
ONLY A TRICK OF SPAIN
THE INSURGENTS HAVE THE
ADVANTAGE NOW.
LEE AS CHEERFUL AS THE SUNSHINE
Is not Disturbed at the Rumors of Plots to
Take His life---No Preparations
at Havana for a

Selge.
Havana. via Key West, Fla, March
3O.-Sunday and Monday were days Of
decided anxiety in the political and bust
ness circles of Havana: but yesterday
and to-day there has been a much more
quiet feeling. Without being apie 10
give any good reason for their beiieI'
many prominent men seem satisfied that
peace is assured. The word 'armlstice
is repeated from lip to lip as 4 there
was some magic within it TO solve the
whole problem of Cuban strife.
Those however, who know General
Maxine Gomez, General Calixto Garcia,
senior Bortolomeo Masso and the other
insurgent leaders best say that all reck-
ON without their host who believe these
men will agree to an armistice, even il
asked to do so by the United States, I'M
less il is plainly understood that the
truce is TO be followed by recognition
OF Cuba libre.
Ii is argued that General Gomez, after
holding out all through the dry season,
will decline to agree TO a truce during
the rainy months in which the insurgents
would have the advantage. On all sides
If is regarded as almost certain that II
wartdoes come it will not come until all
possibIe plans of accommodating difficult
Ties fail. 4 Spaniard of high influence,
while talking recently with, Consul Gen
eral Lee, said:
THINK HAVANA IMPROBABLE.
.'Sagasta ministry will not be compell-
ed to fignt TO insure self-proteetion. Sa-
gasta could quiet Spain by proclaiming
I'VE have made Cuba an ash pile, il de-
sert. 1t is no longer worth any outlay
of blood or treasure. 1t is only tit for
negroes and mixed bloods. Let it go.
But very few take such a view of the
situation. although ignorant SpaniarJls
might be deceived by such a declaration.
Meanwhile it seems as il the Spanish
mhit.lry and naval powers are either
CONVINCED that there is no danger Of ac-
tive hostilities or are utterly careless of
the grave consequences that the future
may hold, there are no visible prepare
tons TO provision Havana in case of n
llackade, nor is there any notable in
crease in the coal supply for naval uses
In the opinion of Americans here the
gravest dangers lies in the fact that the
ignorant classes of the city are not in
any way advised as to the chances of
war or siege. They believe Havana i'm
pregnable and the fleet of Spain all-con-
quering. If rudely awakened to other
views. they might become dangerous and
foster internal disorders.
Consul General Lee continues as
cheerful as sunlight. despite the fact
that he was warned last Sunday and
Monday Of five distinct plots against his
life. OF course he does not give Gre
dence to such stories. and ne is care
fully guarded by the government, but
continued warnings Of this kind are not
n pleasant mental diet. The last story
was that lie would be poisoned by a
biiibed employee of his hotel To this
General Lee replied by asking the news
paper correspondents who sit near him
1T meal time, in case he is suddenly TAX
en- i'll, first TO shoot his waiter and then
10 run for a stomach pump.
Since the reports of the two Courts of
Inquiry, the American and Spanish.
have been sent in, the newspaper. cllihs.
and cafes have been alive with all sorts
of old and new theories.
ALL KINDS OF RUMORS AFIOAT.
The exploded scandal about the drum
hNti hiiiiti VII lIC N1ltt III w
and the other about carelessness and
bad discipline on board the Maine are
revived day by day. 1t is interesting to
recall the fact that in the course of an
interview which the correspondent of the
Associated Press had with Captain Pc
raj, who presided over the Spanish Ma
val Court of Inquiry, the officer earnest
~ denied all such stories. Paying Cap
tain Sigsbee, his officers and men high
compliment upon the efficiency Of the
discipline on board the Maine.
Among Spaniards of the lower classes.
1t is rumored that there is plot on
foot to blow mp the Maine wreck with
dynamite and to blow UP the Vizcaya or
the Almsrante Oquendo. Recently the
story gained circulation that three Am
orleans had been arrested during the
night for trying to blow up the wreck
and had been sent to Cabanas For
tress. The only foundation for this was
that the Associated Press correspond
ent with a companion visited the Fern
after dark for the purpose of reading a
bulletin TO the officers and had his
boat challenged repeatedly as is usual,
10y the marine sentinels.
1t Is now known here that Captain
Chadwick was the last of the members
OF the court OF inquiry to make
up his mind that the evidence pointed
incontestably to an external explosion.
Captain Sampson, Lieutenant Com
mander Potter and Judge Advocate
Mark were earlier convinced. AS
soon as Captain Chadwick was satisfied
by a study Of the wreck. the plans OF
its submarine condition and the test
mony offered. Captain Sampson said:
There is no use waiting here any
longer" and the Mangroye sailed for
Key West four hours after their minds
were made up. The decision to go
was taken so suddenly that there was
no chance to send the battle shiT
Iowa for the court. as it had beer
thought would be done.
DIR. Jose Cong0st0. the Secretary Gen
eral. has countersigned the orders Gen
eral Blanco made on Monday that tho
moment hostilities are declared between
Spain and the United States all Amer
can correspondents are To be expelled
from Cuba. The orders are not dated
and can he enforced at any time.