Evening journal., 1898-07-14
BLANCOPROSTRATEDI
Tried to Kill Himself When He
Heard Of Cervera's Fate.
HAVANA IN TERRIBLE STRAITS.
Soldiers living on Rice and Beans-sharE
Meat Commands a Fancy Price-Re-
concentrates Dropping Dead
In the Streets.

KEY WEST, July 14.-According to
adylces from Havana received here yes
teIdoy. Governor General Blanco at
tempted to commit suicide when he
learned beyond doubt that Admiral Ger.
vera's squadron had been annihilated.
Long before the Spanish admirals
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 demonstrations Of JOY in the Cuban
capital partook Of the nature of a fes-
tival.
When the true story Of the defeat
came il was discredited until definite
confirmation from Madrid no longer left
room for hope. Gloom settled upon the
city, all gayeties were stopped and every
public and many private buildings were
hung with Grape and other black dra-
peries. Blanco was in his palace when
the intelligence reached him and he be-
came almost frenzied.
He was closeted with his staff and
General Arolas of the Spanish forces
discussing the news when he made the
attempt on his life. After a struggle he
was subdued and disarmed, but the
shock was so severe that he was pros
trated and compelled to keep to his bed
for several days. When he arose, his
first order was to prohibit any food sup
plies leaving Havana for interior towns,
where the distress is most poignant and
where many are starving daily.
Blanco says the living conditions in
the greatest distress necessarily falling
on the Cubans because nearly all the
food is seized for the troops. OF these
there are about 10000 in the city, con-
sstlng Of volunteers, mObiized trooAe
militia and regulars. Their rations are
largely rice and beans, without even
bacon. Jerked beef. Blanco says, sells
for 30 cents a pound, bread Of poor quail
ity for so cents. lard 81, meat IS cents,
cOrnmeal 25 cents and rice so cents.
Shark food is even eagerly sought. and
the day before Blanco left the city one
shark caught in Havana harbor sold
for $3.50.
Those Of the reconcentrados who have
sufficient influence with the dispensing
authorities sometimes contrive to get
one wretched meal day but the 9TH
ers starVo. and II Is no uncommon
thing. says Blanco, to see persons drop
dead in the streets. Even among the
Spaniards starvation is rapidly sap
ping their loyalty. and large numbers
of men are banding together, awaiting
the first American attack on Havana
as a signal for revolt The grocery
ana provision stores are empty. and the
only articles on the Havana wharfs are
about ! 900 barrels of cement. wet ard
useless. only liquor is to be had
cheaply.
Work on the defenses continues with
tireless vigor. Two lines OF cables bear
ing torpedoes have been strung across
the harbor from the city side to MORO
Castle, and the same has been done in
the bay of Marlel, where. it was re-
ported in Havana, American troops are
10 be landed. Sand battery No. 2, east
Of Havana, has lately mounted inch
guns in the extreme eastern side OF the
battery commanding the coast line and
a few days ago sent shots at the May
flower. which had been cruising close
/ to shore, supposedly out of range. New
masked batteries are also being built
! along the shore
It Is further reported that three
weeks ago the Spanish steamers Monte
videO and Santo Domingo crept out of
the harbor at midnight with all lights
out and safely got through the block
ade The SSaanish ships now in the har-
hor. he says. are the gunboats Conde
venodito Marquise de Ia Ensenada
Nueva Espana. Filiplnas and Nane7
Pinzon. several OF which are unfit for
service. The guns have been removed
from the cruiser Alfonso XII and used
II for shore batteries. and the cruiser has
been converted into a hospital ship
There are also in the harbor number
Of smaller warshlps Of the nature q
converted yachts, including the Flecha
Aguila Magallanos and two others. Al
OF these vessels ssexcept the Alfonso XII
are always ready to move on short no
tice. The merchant steamers Josefa
, Adela and Maria Herrera are also II
the harhOr