The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1898-07-04

New York, July S.-The Associated
Press has received from a resident of
Havana another instalment OF a daily
diary kent by him, giving events trans
piring as they appear to Spanish eyes.
Fellow are extracts from 1t touching
principal features:
AS showing the destitution existing
in Havana it is noted under date of
May 25 that the Cuban chambers (au-
tonomis) considered and later passed
law exempting tenants from paying
rent when the monthly rental does
not exceed SIS. Proprietors of grounds
near cities must plant vegetables, other
wise the grounds will be occupied by
others and planted. Railroads are
asked to transport provisions free OF
charge. Havana military governor,
General Aroas has issued orders fixing
the prices that must be charged for all
the articles that are sold at the gro
cery stores "in order to avoid abuses"
Several grocers refusing to observe
these prices were arrested. May rs the
correspondent writes: 'Flour Is be-
ginning to be scarce at Havana and Is
generally believed that in two or three
weeks there will be no bread to eat"
Later 800 women besought the civil
governor for work. In .Matanzas many
bakeries have SUSPENDED, being unable
TO get flour. The bakeries IN Havana
ale daily surrounded by great crowds
clamoring for bread. The civil COVER
or of Havana. knowing that the Chill
dren's Charity institution had no
bread, gave them ten bags Of flour.
A NARROWING PICTURE.
In a debate in the Cuban chambers
one of the delegates, Romero Rubio,
Conservative, drew this picture of
conditions in Havana under the block
ade:
I'VE have already undergone forty
four days of blockade and are suffer-
ing its natural consequences. The
city so lively before looks now as If it
were a cemetery, because of the little
animation of the inhabitants that stay
at their homes performing only the
most indispensable work in order to
gain a living (very difficult, now, the
works being almost totally suspend
eu), OF Ineultdtlng ABOUT the result Oh
the prolonged blockade.
THE families are living the life Of
hermts shut in cloisters. The theaters
are abandoned by families and only
men and military persons are seen at
them. 1t is very rare to see a young
lady now at the theaters, the parks
or receptions or at any other place
formerly frequented by bewitching
ladies. The absence from all public
places of ladies gives Havana an as
pect even more gloomy than even the
suspension of all business in the mer-
| camille streets. The stores are rare
| ly frequented, for everybody is try
| Ing to save what he can for the neces-
| stiles of life. In the middle of the
harbor appears the wreck of the
Maine, bringing to our mind that
| mournful night of immense misfor-
| tune.
Few electric and gas post-lamps are
| lighted during the night and every
body stays at home after dark; this
being the reas son the streets are de-
serted at night. AS a matter of fact
all the articles have been raised 100
per cent. in their prices, due to scar
city and also to a paper dollar being
worth only 20 cents in gold; the silver
| is also underValued. for one dollar in
| silver is worth only 60 cents in gold
| The workirgmen and almost everybody
| is paid in silver and as their salaries
| have not been raised life is hard now
| for the poor classes. Flour is so scarce
| that it cause; general ill-humor among
the poor classes. The horses in the
stables are or half rations. and it is
three weeks since the horses of the
public cabs eat corn"
IN DIRE STRAITS.
There is much more testimony to the
| same effect and the correspondence
shows conclusively that the situation
IS rapidly becoming desperate. In the
meantime the populace is fed with false
reports of Spanish victories, one being
that Cervera at Santiago had defeat
ed Sampson in a decisive engagement
| When this was put out, hilarious pro-
cessions paraded the streets of Hav-
ana and MaSanzas and glowing mes
sages of congratulation were sent to
Cervera. The story of an attack on
Blanco by Cuban who tried to assas-
sinate him had its origin in a shooting
afray between two civilians, which
took place in the courtyard of the
captain generals palace.