The Kootenai herald. [volume] (Kootenai, Idaho) 1891-1904, 1898-04-02
AMERICANS ARE THREATENED
GRAVE SITUATION IN HAVANA.
Danger of Riots Growing Out oil the
Intense Feeling of the wey1erftes
Against America and Americans
Can't. simpson Prepared to Dis
patch "a Man-of-synr MT Once.

New York. March ga special to the
Herald from Washington says;
Havana's quiet is in danger of being
disturbed by another outbreak such as
occurred in the Cuban city just before
the Maine dropped anchor in its haroor-
Consul General Lee has cabled to the
state department that the situation IS
critical There is danger of further riots
growing out of the intense anti-Ameri-
can feeling among the Weylei1tes. In
the liQht OF General Lees dispatch the
American authorities are now quite as
much concerned about the situation IN
Havana as they are over the fear that
congress will attempt TO force the hand OF
the president. 1t is now regarded as one
of the danger points of the situation
The navy department is keenly on the
alert. The state department transmitted
Consul General Lees message to Secie-
tary Long and he at once informed Cap
tain Sampson commander of the fleet at
Key West. of the character OF its con
tents. Captain Sampson is in direct com
munication with Consul General Lee and
at the slightest sign OF trouble mes
sage from the consul general to the naval
officer will result in the arrival OF man
hours.
ttt Spain Asks an Armistice.
Washington, March 29-Senators and
others who talked with the president last
evening and today say the proposition
for armistice came from Spain, and while
il is being considered by the president, he
insists that any promised aImistice must
be coupled with other conditions which
Spain has not shown disposition to ac-
eept and perhaps will not accept.
1t is stated by one senator that matters
would be brought to u head within very
short time.
Fighting Hobs Opinion.
Chicago, March ga special to the
Tribune from Tampa, Fla, says;
'.Fighting Bob Evans has left Port
Tampa for Key West to assume command
of the battleship Iowa. While here he
talked freely in regard to the outlook for
. war and what should be done. He is firm
in his belief that the Maine was blown
up by the Spanish and said:
THE vessel was in a Spanish harbor
and was blown up by mine placed there
by Spanish officials The mine was sprung
by some one familiar with its location and
the wires leading to it. ] do not say that
the Spanish government knew OF the plot
to blow up the Maine, but the fact that 1t
was done in Havana harbor is sufficient
TO hold the ,Spaniards responsible. I'm
mediate action is necessary and believe
that there will be war very shortly. If
| we've betting man. | would take all
the bets offered by those who do not be-
leve that there viii be war. / would also
bet 100 to 10 that an attempt will be
made to assassinate General Lee if war is
declared.
The coast defense need looking after
Key West is in an almost defenseless con-
dition. A Spanish fleet could be at safe
distance and shell the town. As for
Tampa and Port Tampa. there is nothing
to prevent any small vessel from coming
into the bay and blowing them to pieces.
The railroad terminals would, of course,
be attacked by the Spanish at the first
opportunity. Steps should be taken to
protect them so that troops and supplies
can be brought here for shipment to
Cuba.
when asked for my opinion in Wash
ington l said that $4,000 troops should be
sent to Tampa Immediately and ships pro-
vided TO carry them to Cuba.
"The torpedo flotilla should be stopped
at all hazards. A knockout blow should
d, be struck by the United States before
Spain gets a chance We have an ,enor-
nous coast line TO protect and we should
not wait until Spain is prepared to at
tack it. When you want to whip man
get in the first blow. Hit him on the
point of the chin. That is what we ought
to do now. / do not believe in delay.
said the morning of the Maine disaster
that the chances were million against
il being an accident and am of the same
opinion although l have not seen the re-
port of the court of inquiry
Thinks War Inevitable.
New York, March ga special to the
World from London Says
81 can not see how war between the
United States and Spain can be avoided,
said Sir Charles Dixie to a World reporter
last night. l l-t
''It is impossible to express opinions or
such meagre details of the findings of the
Maine court of inquiry as have been pub
lshed here, but affairs have come to such
pass with Spain that she may welcome
war as the best means Of getting rid o.
Cuba 1t has become such a milestone
around her neck that she must free her
ealf from, IL somehoy and IN the nrouf