The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1898-04-12
RIOTINC IS ANTICIPATED
KEY WEST LOOKS FOR AN OUT
BREAK AT HAVANA
Tension on Board the Warshirs Re-
Hieyed by the Tone of the Presi-
dents Message, but the Ollie
Are Still Discussing Plans for an
Stripped for Fighting.

KEY WEST, Fla, April 1.-THE day
~ has bren one Of tension. relieved by
lthe news Of the presidents message.
but then changed to a feeling almost
of disgust, because it is considered that
the MESA &c will be treated by congress
as a seui-routine matter OF course,
people here are ignorant of the mo-
tives actuating congress, Of the plans
made. of the necessity for dignified de-
lay and of the propriety of securing
time.
Still 1t hoped by all and believed
by many that the final arrangements
viii be for the seizure of Havana. News
from Havana would be welcome. The
correspondents who left there such a
short time ago know how likely the
ropulace, led by the soldiery, is to in
dulge in riot, possibly bloodshed. No
one takes any stock whatever in Gen.
Blancos armiStice. All say that 1t is
not for Blanco, but for Gen. Gomez to
say when the shooting is to stop.
This is regarded as particularly
apropos just now, when the insurgent
leaders are putting into execution
plans laid six weeks ago.
The harbor here is lively and stirring.
Black little devils of torpedo boats dash
out to Sand Key with messages for
Capt. Sampson or return with reports
from that commander to the navy de-
partment or with details as to prep
arations CT happenings.
Naval officers of high rank think the
plan Of procedure will be for the fleet
to lay TO off Havana and give twenty
four hours for the removal Of nom
ccmbatants, and then to reduce the
batteries one by one, commencing with
Vidado. The first approach will be
from the westward. as was long ago
decided upon, because of the range Of
five of the twelve-incn guns.
All persons here are looking for news
of an outburst in Havana Immediately
after the decisive news from Wash
ington reaches the Cuban capital.
The cruiser Marblehe&d has been
coaling at the government dock today,
and the monitor Arnphitrite and the
gunboat Helena were lying only a ca
ble'S length away from here when the
news of the presentation of the presi-
dents message to congress and of its
purport was received here.
The men of the Marblehead, who
were the first TO hear it, set up a cho-
rus of cheering, shock each others
hands and danced about on deck. The
word was passed to the other two
ships, and an equally vociferous dem
OrStration followed On board each.
Gen. BlancoS proclamation of ceS-
sation OF hoStilitieS is regarded as
having little or no bearing on the pres
ident'S message, and all expect that the
>next bulletin from the North will
AAssring q declaration of war.
The outlying fleet has adopted almost
the last preparations for active hos
tilities- The f1agstafTs on the battle
ships Indiana ard Iowa have been TAX
en- down, and ensigns are now flying
from their smokestacks. This is an
Unusual precaution. The wood work
on the cruiser New York is being torn
out. Capt. Sampson went on board
the Iowa today and made an unof-
fetal inspection.
The gGnbOat Wilmington arrived
this afternoon from Jacksonville.