The herald., 1898-04-28
NOT AFRAID OF HUNGER
IN THE BLoCKADED CAPITAL OF
CUBA
FOOD PRICES ANOTHER STORY
Havana Editors Keep Up the Courage
Of Citizens by Writing Inspired
Articles
Associated Press Special Wire

NEW YORK. April 27.-La Discussion OF
Havana Of April 21, copy of which was
brought to this city by the steamer Sara
toga, says: A deputation from the Pro-
duce Exchange, under it's president Senior
Quesadasoto, visited the Captain General
this morning. With the deputation were q
number of wholesale importers who offered
the Captain General all the supplies that
may be necessary for the army, the de-
tenders of the island, and in word. for
| all who may need food and supplies under
| existing circumstances.
Senior Quesadasoto informed Captain
General Blanco that the Produce Ex-
change, representing the importers. would
not advance prices, and that any firm at
tempting to raise prices would be expelled
| from the exchange.
In accordance with the action taken by
the board of the Produce Exchange.
commission was appointed to see that no
| advances were made under existing cir
| cumstances to furnish the authorities
| with food supplies for the army. also to
extend the same privileges to the trade
and pro-rating actual cost among the pur-
chasers.
Ell Commercio Of April 21st says: There
is no reason for being pessimistic. Listen
to our esteemed colleague, the Diario del
Ejericito: The Americans say: 1--WE have
four monitors ready at Key West An
American squadron composed of the Iowa,
| Indiana, Massachusetts and Texas, with
all the auxiliary vessels that are neces-
sary, with flying squadron composed of
the New York, Brooklyn, Minneapolis and
Columbia. With our monitors we can
lombard Havana"
Good, there can be no objection save
the batteries of Havana might object to
the bombardment. Further, a mine might
prevent 1t.
with the cruiser squadron and Its
auxiliary fleet we can blockade Havana"
Well, but we likewise have cruiser
squadron that may neutralize your cruiser
squadron. Is 1t not so?
with a flying squadron let us blockade
Porto Rico"
Magnificent. But we also have reserve
squadron composed Of the Pelayo, Carlos
V. Numancia. Vitori, Alfonso XIII and
Lepanto, with which we can neutralize the
vaunted flying squadron. AS We have
here some torpedo boats no blockade is
possible. Nor do they intend to make one.
But if 1t should happen we will await
them with our heavy siege guns. AS last
consideration there remains independent
element for defense and offense with
which the Americans have not reckoned
1t is a formidable army, from which it
will be very easy to select brilliant army
of invasion of 10000 or $4,000 men.
Certain it is that this army corps could
| not operate on the enemy's possessions un-
| til naval engagement had given COM
| mand of the sea passage with full liberty
of transit by sea. But such victory is
not impossible, as squadron composed of
| the Vizcaya, Oquendo, Maria Teresa and
Crstobal Colon is a respectable arm of
offense. Therefore, there is no reason for
being pessimistic.
| The Avisador Commercial devotes con-
siderable space to the important matter
of food supplies in case of blockade by
the United States. 1t calls the attention
of the island authorities to 1t.
The Diario. in discussing the timely note
of warning of Its contemporary, says:
We know that measures were taken some
time ago to safeguard the matter in case
blockade is instituted.
Our compatriots in Mexico commenced
sending supplies to u.s. 1t is reasonable
to suppose that their action has continued.
The real issue to be faced is not the scare
ity of provisions, but that the prices be
not allowed to assume exorbitant pro-
portions.
The whole of this is apart from the ques-
ton of blockade ordered by the United
States and for which they are getting
ready. What may be lacking is the power
and until all is over no one can see who
will be blockaded.
Ran the Blockade
HAVANA, April 27.-The Spanish coast
ing steamer Cosme Herrera, which ran
the blockade on Saturday last, it appears
is not the only vessel that has reached
this port since the blockade was estab-
lished, as the arrival of the steamer Aviles
from Neuvitas is also reported.
1t is announced from Cayo Frances near
Caibairen, that two United States moni-
tors captured two schooners loaded with
coal, but discovering that they were Ger
man vessels released them.
Dispatches from Matanzas say an Amer
ican torpedo boat destroyer has twice en-
tered the port of Matanzas. The second
time six shots were fired at her and she
retired.
The Italian cruiser Giovanni Boisan ar
rived here Saturday. Her band played the
Spanish National Hymn and the forts and
Spanish warships answered, their bands
playing the Italian National Hymn. The
usual salutes were exchanged
The local newspapers publish what they
believe to be the names of vessels COM
posing the United States blockading fleet,
and incidentally refer to the Dauntless,
now the dispatch boat of the Associated
| Press, which gave the Spaniards so much
| trouble, it is claimed, by landing filibus-
tering expeditions on the coast of Cuba.
| The Spanish gunboat Ligera, it is an
nounced here, encountered near Cardenas,
| not far from Matanzas, an American tor
| pedo boat destroyer which opened fire on
! the Spanish warship. The gunboat, it is
added, answered with II shots. 1t is
| claimed the American destroyer was dam
| aged and retreated.
| The Spanish steamer Montserrat, from
| Cadz on April 16, via Las Palmas on
| April 13, for Havana, has arrived safely,
| it is announced at Cienfuegos. She had
on board two millions In silver and a
quantity of ammunition. She is COM
manded by Captain Dechamm and Is of
| 1855 tons.
1t is announced that the insurgent Briga-
dier General Masso has been authorized to
| form a division of natives to fight against
the United States troops.
| The Spanish officials say that the we'll
known insurgent leader Juan Delgado
| and II of his followers have been killed
|