The record-union., 1898-05-29
GENERAL BLANCO.
Says He Can Easily Face Any Land
ing in Cuba by Americans.


NEW YORK, May 2S.-A dispatch to
the World from Havana says:
General Blanco says he can easily
face any landing in Cuba by Amer
leans, as his forces are ready to concen-
trate and fall upon the invaders in the
four western provinces. The greater
part of the troops on the island are be-
ing concentrated near the coast, where,
it is thought, the attempt might be
made.
The Spanish officials watch the coast
vigilantly, now that the Cuban insur-
gents are said to be prevented from re-
ceiving supplies.
General Blanco represents that he
has provisions and ammunition enough
to last five months, having ordered the
military authorities to be very sparing
with ammunition, only using it wnen it
is indispensable to do so. He has de-
voted much attention to improving the
defenses of Havana, planting sub
marine mines and torpedoes, and ex-
tensively Strengthening the fortifica-
tions, according to plans devised in
Weyler's time by a special commission
of artillery engineer officers sent out
purposely with heavy guns from Ger
many and Spain.
General Blanco and the home Gov
ernment are occupied now with the
question of sending home invalid SOL
diers. The sick and wounded at this
season are fling the hospitals and
crippling the colonies resources.
The Spanish War Department pro-
fessedly is satisfied with the way in
which General Blanco is conducting
the campaign. He was instructed to
keep up the spirits of the autonomists
by putting the local Government in
working order, just as if there were no
war, but at the same time to play
upon the loyalty of the old Spanish
party and volunteers, because their
wealth and fighting qualities will be
very useful. He has been directed also
to try to impress all the natives of
Cuba with the belief that America is
aiming at conquest and annexation,
while Spain wouiG carry home rule to
the extent of actual independence if
the Cubans would resist the American
invasion.
KEY WEST, May 2S.-The system of
communication between the United
States Government and the insurgents
has been so we'll established that the
Cuban forces are working in perfect har-
mony with those of this country. Mes
sengers pass between the insurgents
and the United States vessels every
day.
Yesterday Ernesto Castro arrived on
the Annapolis with news from Matan-
Zas Province, and this morning Alfredo
Lima was brought in by the Tecumseh
and Manual Jova. from Eastern Cuba
by the Wampatuck.
In spite of all that has been said in
disparagement of the usefulness of the
insurgents as allies, the army consid-
ers it highly essential that for every
movement on the outside there must be
a corresponding movement in the in
terror When the American troops
land it will be with Cuban guides, and
when they move inland they will be met
by the veterans of Gomez and Garcia.
The War Department is establishing
a complete understanding with the in
surgents, and conveying arms to them.
There is no real difficulty in the way Of
landing small bodies of men on the Gu
ban coast at night The shore, except
at a few points, is not so we'll guarded
as it was a year ago.
The latest arrivals declare that the
report of an attack by the Marblehead
on the Cienfuegos batteries in concert
with a rear invasion by the insurgents
is without foundation.