Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1898-07-14
ATTEMPTS SUICIDE.
BIanco Tries to End His Life
After Cervera's Defeat.
Shock So Severe that It Kept Him
Confined Several Days.
Situation IN Havana Described as Critical by
an Escaped Cuban.

Key West, July f3.--According to adj
| vices from Havana received here. to-
| lay. Governor General Blanco attenp-
| tod to commit suicide when he learned
| 1cyond doubt that Admiral Ceryera's
squadron had been annIhilated.
Long before The admirafs dash out Of
Santiago harbor. all Havana had been
Doasting Of his ability TO 0utwit the
Americans and when misleading dis
patches gave the impression that H.
had eluded the American feet. the de-
nonstrations Of joy in the Cuban cap
tai partook of the nature Of a festival
When the story Of the defeat came. I,
sas discredited until definite congrTna-
ton from Madrid no longer left room
for hope. Gloom settled upon the city,
all gaties were stopped and every pub
lie and many private buildings are
hung with crepe and other black dra-
perias. Blanco was in his palace when
he intelligence reached him and he be-
came almost frenzied.
He was closeted with his staff and
Gen Aurelis' Spanish forces, discussing
he news when he made the attempt on
MS life. After a struggle he was sub
iued and disarmed, but the shock was
so severe that ne was Frustrated and
compelled TO keep his bed for several
days. When he arose his first order
vas TO prohibit any food supplies to
leave Havana for interior towns. where
he distress is most poignant and where
many are daily starving.
This and other valuable information
was brought by Jose Pauline Blanco.
who Indignantly repudiated a sugges-
zion OF kinship with the Governor Cen
eral. He says ne is a loyal Cuban. and
escaped 10 avoid the necessity of fight
ing against his cause. as every male
in the island who is able to bear arms
is being pressed into the Spanish ser
vice. He obtained a fisherman's per-
nit 10 20 outside Moro and. Monday
morning. put off in a small boat.
The United states gunboat Bancroft
vas Stationed six miles out and he
roWed 10 her the Cojimar batteries.
east Of Havana. firing two shots at him
when he was observed passing by the
prescribed limits. The Bancroft trans
ferred him To another vessel and ne
was brought here where the local junta
will care for him. The sailors of two
\ merican ships made up a liberal sub
scription for him and gave him some
new clothing.
BlancO says the living conditions in
Havana are constantly growing worse,
the greatest distress necessary falling
Oh the Cubans. because nearly all the
food is seized for the troops. of these
there are about 20 900 in the city, con-
sistlng Of volunteers. modified troops,
militia and regulars. Their rations are
largely rice and beans. without even
bacon. Jcrked beef, Blanco says, sells
for 30 cents a pound, bread of poor
quality for 80 cents. lard 81, meat I5
cents, cornmeal % cents. and rye 30
cents. Shark food is even cage "
sought for and the day before Blah %
left the city one shark caught in
Havana harbor sold for $3.50
Those of the recouccntrados who have
sufficient influence with the dispensing
authorities sometimes contrive to get one
Hrctched meal a day, but the others
tarve. and it is not an uncommon thing.
avs Blanco, to see persons drop dead in
he streets. Even among the Spa Ish
is largely sapping their loy.lty
ln1 large numbers of men are banding
ogether awaiting the first American at
ack on Havana as a signal of revolt
The grocery and provision stores are
mpty, and the only articles on the Ha-
'ana wharves are about 1000 barrels of
cement wet and useless. Only liquor is
o Zoe had cheaply.
Work on the defenees continues with
ireless vigor. Two lines of cables bear
ng torpedoes have been strung across the
larbor from the city side to Moro Castle
md the same has been done in the bay of
hariel, where it was reported in Havana
american troops are to be landed. Sand
battery No. ,, east of Havana, has lately
mounted 6-inch guns in the extreme east
I'm side of the battery commanding the
'oaSt line and a. few days ago sent two
shots at the Mayflower, which had been
'ruisng close in shore. supposedly out of
'ange. New masked batteries are also
being built along the shore.
Blanco further reported that three weeks
ago the Spanish steamers Montevideo
md Santo Domingo crept out of the har-
oor at midnight, with all lights out. and
safely got through the blockade. The
Spanish ships now in the harbor. he says.
ire the gunboats Condo Venadito. Mar
luiz de In Ensenada. Neuva Espana. Fill
'inas and Nanez Pinzon. several of winch
ire unit for service. '.ne guns have been
removed from the cruiser Alfonso Mi.
ana used for shore batteries, ana the
'ruiser mas been converted into a hospital
MP. There are also in the harbor a num-
Der of smaller warships of the nature of
yachts. All these vessels, ex-
'ept the Alfonso Nil. are always ready
70 move on short notice. The merchant
steamers Josefa, Adela and Maria Hor-
era are also in the harbor.
The closing day of the national
council of Conversational churches NJ