The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1898-04-27
SPANISH PAPERS :
ARE DDASTFUL.
Those in Havana Talk About an
Invasion Of this Country.
They Ridicule the Idea That q Hook
That the Spanish Fleet Can De-
stroy Our Navy and serure FuIi
Liberty Of Transit by Sen of the
Army Vow I'm Cuba to Our Coast.

NEW YORK, April Ella Discucion. OF
Havana, CT April 81. a copy Of which was
brought TO this city by the steamer sara
toga. says:
aArntat,ou from the Produce Ex-
change under its president. Senior Cues
ada soto. visited the captain general this
morning With the deputation were
number OF wholesale importers. VINO o.
fered the captain general all supplies tnat
may be necessary for the army defenders
OF the islanders, and in word. Tor All
who may need food ana supplies ufuer tiie
existing circumstances.
AT the meeting senior Soto informed Cap
tain General Blanco that the Produce Ex-
change. representing the importers. would
not advance prices. and that any nrm at
tempting TO raise prices would be ex-
PEELED from the exchange.
"In accordance with the action taken
by the beard OF, the Produce Exchange,
commission was appointed TO see that no
advances were made under existing cir
c1,msta noes 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-
cbasers.'
Ell Commerce. Of April 2i says:
There is no reason for being pess!misiic:
listen to our esteemed colleague, the Diaro
del Ejercito:
1.-The Americans say: We have four
r monitors ready ar Key West.an American
squadron composed of the Iowa. Indiana.
Massachusetts, and Texas, with all the
auxiliary vessels that are necessary. with
q flying squadron composed OF the New
York, Brooklyn. Minneapolis and Column
bia. With the four monitors We can bom-
bard Havana
4 .t>s1
the batteries of Havana might object to
the bornbardmen.. Further. a mine might
prevent 1t.
with the cruiser squadron and its aux
Hilary fleet We can blockade Havana.
well. but We likewise have a cruiser
squadron that may neutralize your cruiser
squadron. Is II not SO?
WITH flying squadron. let US block
ade Porto Rico
Magnificent But We also have a re-
serve squadron composed of the Pelayo.
Carlos V. Numancia, Nitorla, AlfoHzo
XIII and Lepante. with which we can neu-
, traIize the vaunted flying squadron As
we have here some torpedo boats, no
blockade is possible. Nor do they interd
to make one. But IL IL should happen we
viii await them with our heavy siege
guns.
las a last consideration there remains
an important element for defense and of
Tense with which the Americans have not
reckoned II Is formidable army. from
which II will be very easy 10 select bril-
liant army OF invasion Of so.0W or $1,000
men.
Certain I. Is that this army corps could
not operate on the enemy's possessions
until. naval engagement had given COM
mand OF the sea passage. with fun liberty
of transit by sea.
But such a victory is not impossible as
a squadron composed of the Vzcaya.
Oquendo. Maria Teresa and Cr!stobal
Colon is a respectable arm % offense.
Therefore. there is no reason for being pes
simistic"
The Ayisador Commercial devotes con-
siderable space TO the important matter
OF food supplies in case of blockade by
the United States. i. calls the attention
OF the island authorities 20 II.
The Diaro. In discussing the note OF
warning of lis contemporary. says:
I'VE know that measures We're taken
some time ago 10 safeguard the matter in
case a blockade is Instituted. out corn-
patriots in Mexico commenced supplies 10
us. It is reasonah.eto suppose that their
patriots In Mexico commenced sending
supplies 20 Us. II Is reasonable 10 sup
pose that Their action IS to be continued
The real issue to be faced is not the
scarcity OF provisions, but that tne prices
be not allowed 10 assume exorbiiant pro-
/ portion. The whole OF this Is apart from
I the question OF blockade ordered by the
( United States. and for which they are
! getting ready What may be lacking is
{ .he power. and until all ia over. no one
! can see who will he blockadsd.