Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1898-04-23
THEBOOMINGOF CANNON
SPANlARDs WELCOME THE BIG FIGHT.
Beat on the United States Forces
with Little Difficulty.
VIlIN ''Ifls n W IN
Secretary of State.

Havana, April %, $3.50 p. m.-(Delay
in transmission)-At 4:4O o'clock this
(Briday) afternoon, the selnaphore
slgnaled that fleet had been sighted
on the eastern side of the city. 1t was
said to be without any coors to show
its nationality.
From the front of Moro Castle the
correspondent of the Associated Press
saw smoke in the distance. and soon
afterwards he made OUT three vessels ON
the horizon. At the time La Punta, the
fort on the side of the harbor oppo-
site Moro Castle, was crowded with
curious people including many ladies'.
In addition, crowds Of people could be
seen at various points of vantage,
many of them gathering on the roofs
OF houses.
At 6 p. m. the semaphore signnled
that 1t was the United States fleet
which was in sight, and AT SIZE p. m. a
red flag was run up at the signal sta
ton, warning guns We're fired from
Moro Castle, and afterwards from Ca
banas fortress adjoining it. This
caused excitement Throughout the city,
and was the first real note of war.
When the first signal came from the
semaphore station, a British schooner
which was In the harbor put to sea,
she was Immediately followed by the
German steamer Ronus. Some time
afterwards the American steamer Sar-
atoga put to sea. The cannon shots
from the fortress stirred up the regular
troops and volunteers throughout Ha-
vana. and its vicinity and there was a
rush to quarters,
The signal guns from the fortifica-
lions echoed to the palace and through
out the streets, causing people TO rush
from the houses with the result that all
the thoroughfares were soon crowded
with excited inhabitants.
Captain General Blanco heard the
shots while at the palace, to which
place the generals and commanders of
the volunteers promptly reported fun OF
excitement and warlike enthusiasm.
Some time afterwards, the captain gem
,eral accompanied by his stan, the gen.
erals and others, left the palace and
We're warmly acclaimed by the soldiers
and populace.
The general then made II brief ex-
animation Of the fortlications and
see the approaching fleet. There was
certainly no sign Of alarm anywhere.
The Spaniards are conIident that Ha-
yana Is prepared for ANY eventuallties
and they have great faith in the
strength of their forts. batteries, etc,
and In the effectiveness of their heavy
artillery. In fact there was II feeling Of
satisfaction at the warllke tremors
which spread everywhere when 1t was
seen that the hour of battle WAS APP
parently approaching, and that the
Spaniards were soon to give battle to
their enemies. Only those who wit
messed the demeanor OF the people. mill
tary and civilians. can understand the
enthusiasm which prevailed on all sides.
As the time passed, more and more
people crowded to the spot from
which the fleets could be seen favor
ably BY $3.50 p. m. there was a great
movement of the masses through all
the streets and ON all the squares.
Coffee houses and clubs We're crowded
with excited people. discussing the ar
rival of the American warships. The
Spaniards expressed themselves as
anxious TO measure arms with the
"Inyaders," and there was no express
sion OF doubt as to the result Many
stores were closed as the employees and
owners are volunteers and have been
called 10 the defense OF the city. As
this dispatch is sent the civil ana
military authorities OF Havana are in
consultation at the palace and every
precautlon possible to the Spaniayds
has been taken to guard against any
sururise and to resist an attack II the
bombardment Is commenced.
Throughout the evening scenes OF
enthusiasm continued On the harbor
districts and San Lazaro avenue was