Evening journal., 1898-03-29
LA LUoHA's TALK.
Says That United States Note Is Docla-
ration of War.


HAVANA, March 90 - The naval
board. consisting of Captain Chadwick
and Lieutenant Commanders Cowics
and Wainwright. appointed TO decide
upon the disposition Of the portions Of
the wreck of the Maine which It IS not
possible 20 salvage has held several
meetings It's docisaons have not been
made public, Captain Chadwick saying
he Is not authorized 70 talk about the
board, It's purpose. deliberations or
findings. but il Is believed It's purposes
have been accurately outlined.
Deep interest is felt here in the news
received from the United States. La
Lucha. in an editorial says:
The United States note TO Spain de-
raanding that q das9 be fiNed to end the
hOstilities Is simply n declaration of
war. It was not issued until after the
finding Of the United States court Of
Inquiry had been received. which lnd-
ing Is without scientific basis and is
open 10 question even upon the part Of
the most prCjudiced. President MclIin-
ley has been forced by lingo opinion
and the sensational newspaper press to
close tho debate on tho question and to
shield Captain Sigsbee, who is one OF
tho most popular officers in the United
States navy.
1T was needless TO send the Maine
to Havana. as American interests were
amply protected by General Lee and
also by the Cuban government, the lat
ter often acting 20 its disadvantage and
in favor Of American interests"
Continuing, la Lucha remarks: 1T
is well FOR Spain TO know at least the
/ real purpose of the money loving Amer
leans Spain now knows what to ex-
pect and how to act"
La Lucha then warns the United
/ States that IL she expects TO have all
her own way in Cuba "she can only Go
/ so with cannon" In conclusion. Ia
/ Lucha says:
THE United states IS rich, and Spain
/ Is poor, but the end Of the war may
[ find Spain with a good portion of Amer
ican money"
La Lucha also quotes General Lee as
/ denying the report published in Mad
rid which was TO the effect that he was
/ connected with the alleged syndicate
whose purpose Is said 20 be the pur-
chase of Cuba. The consul general says
according 90 Ia Lucha, that he at
/ tends only 20 the interests of Amerl-
cans. never mixes with outside mat
ters and never had any communication
with the Insurgents except when he
tried TO save the life OF the late Lieu
tenant Colonel Ruiz. which step was
taken with the consent Of Captain Gen
/ eral Blanco. In conclusion. General Lee
! is quoted as expressing the hope that
peace win prevail and that all The qucs-
tions' fin dispute viii be arranged TO tho
best interests Of both nations.
Captain Chadwick on the nt-ehe. sail.
ed. on his return 90 Key West. at
o'clock yesterday afternoon. The Man
| grove has moved near the wreck. tn,
derrick barges have taken ON boarC
four G-inch guns Cid AN the warhead.
of the torpedoes on board the Maine. "a,
we'll as a number OF rapid fire guns an,
some shells. They may sail north al
once with a load of powder from tn,
main magazine aft. 1t is in bad condi
tion from Immersion and difficult co ge
az, as are the big shells. one G-ncl
gun win be recovered soon. leaving on,
out Of the entire secondary batter,
which is not likely to be found Thre,
more bodies have beon recovered from
the wreck up 70 the time Of filing thi
dispatch.