The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-07-14
Provisions Scarce and Dear in Ha-
vana, Sharks Caught I'm the HarbOr
Selling at $3.50 Apiece.
COMMANDMENT OF LOS TUNAS
SPANISH ACCOUNT OF AN ATTACK
BY AMERICAN WAR SHIPS.
Thousands of Shells Hurled at the
GunDOat and auxiliary Cruiser.

KEY WEST, Fla, July 13.-According to
advices from Havana received here to-day
Governor General Blanco attempted to COM
NIT suicide when he learned beyond doubt
that Admiral Cervera's squadron had been
alnihilated. Long before the Spanish adj
mraPs gallant dash out of Santiago harbor
all Havana had been boasting of his ability
to outwit the Americans and when mis-
leading dispatches gave the impression that
he had eluded the American fleet the dem
ohstrations of Joy in the Cuban capital par
took of the nature of festival When the
true story of the defeat came it was dis
credited until definite confirmation from
Madrid no longer left room for doubt Gloom
settled upon the city. all gayeties were
stopped and every public and many private
buildings were hung with crepe and other
black draperies.
Blanco was in the palace when the intelli-
gence reached him, and he became almost
trenzied. He was coseted with his staff
and General Arolas, of the Spanish forces,
discussing the news when he made the at
tempt on his life After a struggle he was
subdued and disarmed, but the shock was
so severe that he was Frustrated and COM
PEELED to keep to his bed for several days.
When he arose his. first order was to pro-
hibit any food supplies leaving Havana for
interior towns, where the distress is most
poignant and where many are starving
daily. fat
The foregoing and other valuable infor-
nation was brought by Jose Pauline Blan-
co. who Indignantly repudiated a suggestion
of kinship with the governor general. He
says he is loyal Cuban, and escaped to
avoid the necessity Of lighting against his
cause, as every male in the island who is
able to bear arms is being pressed into the
Spanish service. He obtained fisherman's
permit to go outside MORO, and at O'clock
Monday morning put off in small boat
The United States gunboat Bancroft was
stationed six miles out and he rowed to her,
the Cojimar batteries east of Havana, fir
ing two shots at him when he was observed
passing beyond the prescribed limits. The
Bancroft transferred him to another vessel
and he was brought here, where the local
junto will care for him. The sailors of the
American ships made up a liberal money
subscription for him and gave him some
new clothing. ~ sse
Jose Blanco says the living conditions in
Havana are constantly growing worse and
greatest distress necessarily falling on the
Cubans, because nearly all the food is
seized for the troops. OF these there are
ing of volunteers, modified troops, militia
and regulars. Their rations are largely rice
and beans without even bacon. Jerked beef,
Blanco says. sells for 80 cents a pound,
bread of poor quality for 30 cents lard 81,
meat rs cents, corn meal rs cents and rice
50 cents. Shark food is eagerly sought and
the day before Blanco left the city one
shark caught in Havana harbor sold for
$13 so.
The reconcentrados who have sufficient in
fluence with the dispensing authorities
sometimes contrive to get one wretched
meal day, but the others starve and it is
no uncommon thing, Blanco says, to see
persons drop dead in the streets. Even
among the Spaniards starvation is rapidly
sapping their loyalty and large numbers
of are banding themselves together
awaiting the first American attack on Ha-
vana as a signal for revolt. The grocery
and provision stores are empty and the only
articles on the Havana wharves are about
a thousand barrels of cement, wet and USE
less. Only liquor is to be had cheaply.
Work on the defenses continues with tire
less vigor. Two lines of cables bearing tor
pedoes have been strung across the harbor
from the city side to Moro Castle and the
same has been done in the bay of Mariel.
where. it was reported in Havana, American
troops are to be landed. Sand battery No.
2, east of Havana, has lately mounted six
inch guns in the extreme eastern side of the
battery, commanding the coast line. and
few days ago sent two shots at the May
flower, which had been cruising close to the
shore, supposedly out of range. New
masked batteries are also being built along
the shore
Jose Blanco further reported that three
weeks ago the Spanish steamers Montevideo
and Santo Domingo crept out of the harbor
at midnight with all lights out and safely
got through the blockade. The Spanish
ships now in the harbor. he says, are the
gunboats Condo Venadito, Marquise de la
Ensenada. Neuva Espana. Filipinas and
Nanez Pnzon. several of which are unfit
for service. The guns have been removed
from the cruiser Alfonso XII and used for
shore batteries and the cruiser has been
converted into a hospital ship. There are
also in the harbor Il number of smaller war
ships of the nature of converted yachts, in
Guiding the Flecha, Aguila Magallanos and
two others All of these vessels, except
the Alfonso XII are always ready to move
on short notice. The merchant steamers
Josefa, Adola and Maria Herrera are also
in the harbOr