The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1898-04-20
SHIPS WAITING WORD
FLEET AT KEY WEST READY
TO MOVE AT ONCE
Under the Plan of Nov., o.4,
NOW Definitely Decided Unon
There Will Be Blockade os
cuba, but No BOmbnrdment os
havnna-Grent Rejoicing Among
the Cubans at Key West.

the Cubans at Kew West.
| by Associated Press
HONG KONG, April 19.-The war
shps of the United States SQUADRON
arc painting their hulls, upper works
SMOKE Stacks, ETC., dark gray, landing
tnelr spar gear and otherwise general
ly preparing for active service The
revenue cutter Hugh McCulloch. now
belonging to the auxiliary fleet has
arrived here from the United States.
KEY WEST, Fla, April 19-The
naval plan Of action, it is understood
mas peen hnally and definitely decided
upon. 1t involves the blockade Of Gu
pa, put not bounba rdment of Havana
Inc blockade will involve no engage
ments, 1t is expected, except the ac-
cioental encounters which, more or less.
are bound to occur
line senior naval officers of the fight
ing squadron believe that Spain is NAV
ing clever game in concentratine her
entire naval forces at a distance from
the immediate scene Of action.
Great satisfaction is felt among all
the oHcers at the adoption Of the Joint
resolution, as assuring the indepen-
dence OF Cuba. They regard it as
equivalent to declaration of war and
expect that the fleet will shortly be un
Capt Sampson, Capt Evans, o. the
iowa, and Capt. Taylor, of the Indiana.
mad a consultation today on the New
York, and then came ashore.
Wherever the eye turns tonight. il
is met by the colors Of Cuba libre. In
Varlaoly the Stars and Stripes float
above the fnsurgent ensign. and here
and there new broom surmounts all.
slgnifying that Spain will be swept
from the sea.
throughout the entire day the vivas
OF patriotic Cubans have sounded
through the town and there have been
professions Of more or less dignity in
every part.
This afternoon some 200 Cubans,
headed by a brass band. marched
through the streets and halted in front
Of the hotel. After a serenade OF
American national airs, cheers were
given for President Mckinley and the
newspapers Of the United States. Gu
pans made addresses in Spanish, the
burden of these being gratitude to
America and joy at the near prospect
OF freedom for Cuba. The procession
then marched to the cable office, where
the following message was sent to
President Mckinley:
"A thousand Cuban volunteers at Kev
west oHer services under the United States
nag. j. S. Gown, major"
Word for the movement of the fleet
on Havana and the transportation CT
troops for Cuba is expected at anv
moment, and when it comes it will
find no delay here All day the war
ships have been making final prepara-
tlons for immediate action and few of
the officers have been ashore.
The United States torpedo boat
Ericsson met with an accident at
o'clock this morning. She was patrol
ling about ten miles off Sand Key, in
the gulf. when she collided with the
station pilot boat Hero. The latter
had no lights displayed and the tor
pedo boat, which was going at a rapid
rate, came upon her without warning.
The bowsprit of the pilot boat swept
the Ericsson amidships and knocked
over the ventilators and upper works
of the torpedo boat. Ensign L. A.
Bostwick was struck on the head and
badly cut. He was taken to the marine
hospital. The bowsprit of the Hero
was carried away and she sustained
damage on her port side.
The injury to the Ericsson will not
interfere with her usefulness in case
of orders for active service being re-
ceived. Her commander says he IS
ready to sail at any moment.