The herald., 1898-04-09
YANKEE SAILORS
Anxious to Fight, Though Death
Seems Almost Certain

Seems Almost Certain
KEY WEST, April Son board the
United States ship Detroit.) This ship
steamed out for patrol duty tonight with
deck rails ewung down, netting spread to
catch splinters and everything bare FOR
action. The precautions in watching in
coming vessels were redoubled. Men stood
at magazine posts ready in a moment to
pass shells to be used on friend or foe alike
that failed satisfactorily to disclose their
Identity. The Puritan passed the Detroit
as she proceeded to her station at the Ha-
vana entrance to the harbor. The usual
courtesies were exchanged.
There was not naval officer but
breathed easier when the monitor Joined
her smaller sisters. the Terror and the
Amphitrite. A lieutenant on board
larger ship as he looked through his glass
at these formidable craft, said to the cor
respondent of the Associated Press:
"Those three floating forts could by them
selves whip the whole Spanish navy"
When knowledge of the plan Of the
blockade of Havana as was reported In
these dispatches last night spread through
the fleet today no end of discussion ensued.
The general impression is that the men In
chance of ever coming out Of an engage
ment alive. This view was thoroughly con-
frmed by the torpedo boat men them
selves, and the matter-of-fact way in
which they discussed their chances was q
striking illustration of American pluck
and indifference to death in their country'G
cause.
Intense enthusiasm ceigns among ofhc-
ers and men alike. The movement upon
Havana is eagerly looked forward to and
It is thought to be certain to occur. begin
ming nxet week, unless Spain backs COM
pletely down. In spirit and In preparation
Capt. SIMPSONS squadron is ready to fight
and on all sides the complaint is heard that
the expected opposition Is of such poor
caliber. While 1t may be truthfully said
that there is very little sympathy for the
Cubans themselves among the officers, this
long period of suspense and uncertainty
following the Maine disaster has wrought
them up to an uuequaled pitch Of excite
ment.
Havana, 1920 p. MA Lucha today,
commenting on the attitude OF Consul
General Lee, declines to believe that he has
sent word to the papers Of the United
States that the Americans in Havana are
In danger.
The article which is very fair says that
Gen. Lee represents the United States and
not Spain, and that this fact must be re-
membered. AS for dangers. La Lucha re-
minds Its readers that Gen. Lee was here
during the demonstration last January and
freely walked the streets unmolested.
This morning Military Governor Arolas.
Chief Plaglieri of the Oden Publico
guards. and Others with mounted staff.
inspected the military defenses Of Ha-
vana. The lines Of defense were construct
ed by Paglieri prior to his appointment as
chief Of police. He was congratulated by
the inspecting officers upon the plan OF
construction. the emplaeements and the
generally excellent condition of the de-
fenses.
The usual ceremonies attending Good
Friday were carried out to day. This af-
te-noon there was a slight rainfall.
AMERICANS ABUSED
WASHINGTON, April s.-A New Orleans
special to the Post says: The steamer Ut
stein arrived at Port Eads this morning
from Matanzas. On board were Messrs.
Curtis and Richardson Of the Kansas City
Star, who represented Kansas City in the
distribution of GOO tons Of relief supplies to
the suffering reconcentrados.
On Monday the supplies were landed.
but only with great difficulty and amid
the abuse and insults Of the Spanish pop
ulace The presence Of food distributors
| In Matanzas created such intense excite
ment and bitterness that riot was immi-
uent to such point that both the British
and American consus advised the two
newspaper men to return on board the Ut
stein for safety. They were followed from
the hotel to the landing by bowling mob
who hissed, spat upon and otherwise in
suited the Americans, crowded In front
of them, jostled them and at one time
threatened to push them bodily into the
bay. The Utsteiu is now at the quarantine
station at the mouth of the river and will
be subjected to three days detention by
the health authorities.