Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1898-03-31
GENERAL FEELING THERE THAT
PEACE Is ASSURED.
MUCH TALK OF AN ARMISTIcE.
1T Is NOT BELIEVED THAT CuBANs
WOULD AGREE To 1T.
No Visible Preparations for . Conflict
-Threats Against Consul Gen.
ersl Lee - -Correspondents
to BE Expelled ~ War
Breaks Out.

Havana. March a0-Via Key wes-. ra,
Sunday and Monday we're Gays OF decided
anxiety in the political and business circles
OF Havana, but yesterday and to-day there
has been A much Quieter feeling. Without
being able to give any good reason for
their belief. many prominent men seem sat-
isfied that peace Is assured The word
"armistice' is repeated from lip to lip as IL
there were some magic within It to solve
the whole problem Of Cuban strife.
Those, however. who know General Max
imo Gomez. General CaIixto Garcia. Senor
Masso and the other insurgent leaders best
say that all reckon without their host who
believe these men will agree to an armis-
tice, even IL asked to do so by the United
States. unless 1t is plainly understood that
the truce is to be followed by recognition
of Cuba libre.
1t 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 1t Is regarded as almost GER
tain that, IL war does come. 1t will not
come until all possible plans Of adjusting
difficulties fail. Spaniard Of high infiu-
ence. while talking recently with Consul
General Lee, said:
THE Sagasta ministry will not be COM
PEELED to fight to insure self-protection. Sa-
gasta could quiet Spain by proclaiming we
have made Cuba an ash pile, desert. 1t
is no longer worth any outlay of blood o.
treasure. It is only fit for negroes. and
mixed bloods. Let 1t co."
But very few take such a view Of the situ-
alton, although ignorant Spaniards might
be deceived by such a declaration Mean
while. 1t seems as II the Spanish military
and naval powers that, be are either con-
vinced that there is no danger Of active hos
tilities or are utterly carelss Of the grave
consequences that the future may hold.
There are no visible preparations to pro-
vision Havana In case of a blockade nor
is there any notable increase in the coal
supply for naval uses. In the opinions Of
Americans here, one Of the gravest dan
gers lies In the fact that the ignorant
classes Of the city are not in any way ad-
vised as to the chances of war or siege.
They believe Havana impregnable. and the
fleet Of Spain all conquering. II rudely
awakened to other views. they might be-
come dangerous, and foster internal disor-
ders.
Consul General Lee continues as cheer
full 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 credence to such
stories. and he Is carefully guarded by the
government, but continuous warnings of
this nature are not a pleasant diet. The
latest story was that he would be poisoned
by bribed employe of his hotel. To this
Generol Lee replied by asking the news
paper correspondents who sit near him at
meal time in case he Is suddenly taken iii,
first to shoot his waiter and then run for a
stomach pump.
Since the reports Of the two courts Of In
quiry. the American and Spanish, have
been sent in, the newspapers, clubs and
cafes have been alive with all sorts Of old
and new theories.
The exploded scandal about the drunken
dinner on the City of Washington 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 cor
respondent Of the Associated Press had
with Captain Peral, who presided over the
Spanish naval court Of inquiry. the officer
earnestly denies all such stories, paying
Captain Sigsbee, his officers and men a
high compliment upon the efficiency Of the
discipline on board the Maine.
Among Spaniards Of the lower classes. it
Is rumored that there Is a plot on foot to
blow up the Maine wreck with dynamite
anu 10 DiOW up tu6 NlzCdyd CE tH0
ante Oquendo. Recently the story gained
circulation that three Americans had been
arrested during the night for trying to blow
up the wreck. and had been sent to Cabanas
fortress. The only foundation for this was
that the Associated Press correspondent.
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 by the marine SEN
tinels.
1t Is now known here that Captain Chad
wick was the last of the members Of the
court Of inquiry to make up his mind that
the evidence pointed incontestably to an e1-
ternal explosion. Captain Sampson, Lieu
tenant Commander Potter and Judge Ad-
vocate Mark were earlier convinced. As
soon as Captain Chadwick was satisfied by
a study of the wreck, the plans of Its sub
marine condition and the testimony OFFER
ed, Captain Sampson said:
There Is no use waiting here any long
er," 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 battleship Iowa for the court, as II had
been thought would be done.
Dr. Jose Congosto. the secretary general.
has countersigned the orders General Blan-
CO made on Monday that the moment hos
tilities are declared between Spain and the
United States all American correspondents
are to be expelled from Cuba The orders
are not dated and can be enforced at any