The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1898-12-31
Letter From Cuba.

U. S. S. Topeka, HAVANA, Dec. "a, 1898.
EDIToRs MISUNDERSTANDING other articles
which we recovered from the Spanish gun
boat jorge Juan. which was sunk in the naval
engagement in Nipe Bay, July Dist, was the
motto, ''Be brave and you will go back to
SPAIN While the Spaniards can hardly be
accused of having been brave, they are going
back to Spain just the same. large transports
leaving almost daily loaded with Spanish
troops.
Nearly all the Spanish ships have left the
harbor and it will be matter of only few
days more when the Spanish flag will be a
rare sight here.
As write the U. S. S. Resolute is salutiug
the Spanish Admiral. by firing q guns.
This is the third time this has been done to-
dav. the U. S. Cruiser Cincinnati being the
first to enter the harbor this morning. She
was followed few hours later by the troop
ship Lebanon, the Resolute coming in about
room. The L. S. S. Machias is expected
here any hour.
Our feet here at present is composed OF the
following vessels: Texas, Brooklyn, Cincin-
matt and Topeka. The Texas is anchored
close by the wreck of the Maine. The two
were known as sister ships, having been built
on nearly the same plans.
The weather is very warm here today and
does not remind one of Christmas time.
The greater portion Of our crew are pant
ing ship today. By recent order of the
Nav Department, all war ships will again be
painted white, the present color beng Il dark
lead, known throughout the Navy as war
paint.
The Texas has been the first Of the ships
here to don the old color, and makes IA very
good appearance.
The departure of the Spanish troops and
the arrival of our own is a good indication
that Il change in the administration OF affairs
in the island of Cuba is near at hand.
Among our visitors of the last few days
have been Gen. Fitzhugh Lee and the En-
glish Consul.
A rewing race between crews Of the 10
peka and New York, took place here on the
! l4th instant. Our crew won by several boat
lengths.
We are not allowed to go ashore here yet.
but expect we will be allowed to do so alter
January LIST, as the L. 5. will then have con-
troll of the city of Havana. Among the or
ders passed aboard our ship this morning was
Lay aft to the paymasters office all you men
that wish to draw monthly money When,
ever this word is passed it is a sure sign that
pay day is not far away. We are generally
paid on the 25th of each month.
1t seems quite certain that this will be the
last Christmas we will ever be able to spend
in a Spanish port on this side of the Atlantic.
No doubt the Spaniards realize this fact more
than we do, as it seems to be IL rule of theirs
to send their troop ships away at night to
avoid creating any demonstration among the
citizens of Havana, who may still be loyal ia
their mother country.
The remains of Christopher Columbus were
sent from this place to Spain about week
ago.
Although Columbus has not been factor
in national affairs for some centuries past he
comes in for large share of responsibility
for the defeats suffered by Spain, their argn:
meut being that if he had not discovered
America they would not have been whipped
by the United States.
Our mail steamer. Mascotte, is due here
today. Everybody is anxious to see hel
come in. You may well imagine that there
is a great rush when the mail is sung out, tol
we all like to know what is going on in the
States. 1t requires about four days for mai
| to reach Havana from Maryland.
| 1t is reported that the large steel floating
! dry dock. which mentioned in my last letter
has been sold to the Merritt Il Chapman
| Wrecking Company, to be used by them tol
repairing ships. The price paid is said tC
! he over 81, 100000.
WM. H. kOoNTZ,
/ Shipwright, L. S. n.