The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1898-06-06

ish Sebastapol. This increase in the
cultivated area about Havana, will, it
is asserted, support the inhabitants
with food. although not with luxuries,
for long time to come.
In spite of this outwardly cheerful
aspect of affairs, bitterly anxious feel
charge Senor Moret, the former min
lister of the colonies of Spain, with be-
ing traitor and having sold Cuba TO
the United States. This causes discon-
tent to prevail. and if the Spanish fleet
does not arrive here before food be-
comes really scarce, terrible rioting
may be reported.
There are hardly any business trans
actions and the city looks deserted.
there being few people on the streets.
The families remain at home, except
ing when the sound of gun fred
from one of the forts causes the people
to rush to the windows into the
streets, and if several shots are fired,
thousands rush to the wharves, to the
vicinity of the bay and to San Lazaro
avenue to see if the American fleet is
approaching.
Although the streets are almost
deserted, certain points of vantage are
occupied by groups of people, from
early morning until late at night. This
is particularly the case with La PurAa
which is generally crowded from day
break until dark.
The Spaniards comment continually
upon the tactics of the American fleet
and naturally they are very severe in
their criticisms, for they do not under
stand the method of warfare adopted
Many of them go so far as to say the
United States is not prepared for war;
that no plans have been decided upon
and that authorities at Washington are
not serious in the steps taken
Then again the SpaniardS are rejOic-
ing greatly at the reported small
amount of damage done by the Ameri-
can bombardments, and they also pre-
tend to be happy over the seeming de-
II, in
the opportunity to prepare a more Wig
OrOuS defense than otherwise could
have been made. Indeed, the Spanish
military and naval authorities are be-
ginning to nurse themselves with the
belief that the naval and military
power of the United States have been
exaggerated by the newspapers and
they are comforting themselves with
the idea that Spain is showing herself
able to fight such a giant as the United
States.
Advices from Cabarien and other
towns show that a scarcity of provis-
ions exists and Puerto Principe reports
that many families have left that city
for the country districts.
No recent encounters between the
Spanish troops and the insurgents have
been announced and the official reports
only refer to insignificant skirmishes
in which the Spaniards of course have
had the advantage.
Railroad communication between the
province of Santa Clara and the prov
inces of Matanzas and Havana have
been interrupted several times and the
trains are sometimes "a hours overdue.
The damage, however, is soon repaired
This has happened even in the province
of Havana Twice within the last ten
days culverts have been destroyed with
dynamite, in one case near MinaS, six
miles from Havana and in the other
case near GuineS.
But it is maintained there is no real
interruption of railroad traffic, the tele-
nh lines working well and the
insurgents in this province are not CIV
ing any signs of life In fact were it
not that the city is blockaded, people
would hardly be aware that war is III
progress, at least so far as the western
provinces of Cuba are concerned. This
inactivity of the insurgents, in view OF
the concentration of the Spanish troops,
in the coast towns, cannot be accounted
for by the Spanish commanders.
Another matter which the SpaniardS
are freely discussing is the allegation
that very many of the American shells
do not explode and it is further claimed
that very little damage is done by those
which do explode. On this assumption,
the Spanish officers are poking fun at
the American gunnerS, claiming that
they know but little about the handling
of cannon.
The main point of interest here at
present is as to when and where the
American troops will effect landing in
Cuba, though the Spaniards pronounce
themselves confident of being able to
repel any invasion
Eggs, cornmea1, flour, ETC., are be-
coming more scarce in Havana, and the
prices of all articles of food are doub-
ling, though very many families have
left Havana and large numbers of
houses are to let. Nearly all the houses
about the bay and along the seaShOre
from La Punta to San L4azaro and the
suburbs of Vedado and Carmelo are un-
occupied, their former occupants hav-
ing moved to the outskirts of the city.
being in fear of the bOmbardment of
Havana by the American fleet.
On the other hand, many families
from Marianao are coming to Havana,
owing to the withdrawal of the garrison
from that place and the extension of
the cultivation zone.
At Esperanza, a rich coal mine has
been discovered. 1t is to be immedi-
ately worked, as will the coal mines of
Chapapote at Mariel and Cauberan, for
naval purposes.
There is still considerable coal in Ha-
vana The gas company is using very
little coal at present, as only the abso-
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