Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-04-20
WOULD BURN HAVANA
Cuban Capital Threatened With the
Fate of Moscow.
TALK OF SPANISH ELEMENT
Profess, However, to Expect an
Easy Victory Over Yankees.
Val SPIRIT RUNS HIGH

HAVANA, April 2O.-Many residents of
Havana do not believe war imminent,
though doubtless they would like to think
so. The full details Of the diplomatic ne
gotiations have not arrived yet to form a
basis of definite judgment. But it is safe
to say that as soon as the full situation is
ascertained from Washington this, together
with the bellicose and patriotic reply from
Spain, will provoke the whole loyal popu-
lation to great indignation and stimulate
the desire for war
They are convinced that victory over the
Americans is assured The press of the en-
tire island attacks the ''jingoes'' and the
sensational American press, especially
singing out Gen. Lee as responsible for the
destruction of the harvests and planta-
tions in Cuba. for the prolongation of the
war, the shedding of blood in the present
campaign and the blood that is to be shed
in the conflict that is coming. All the ar
ticles are written at high tension, AMI are
full of belicose ardor. The writer's recall
the history of SPAIN and particularly the
diplomatic victory over Prince Bismarck
in the Carolines.
Spanish Full of Enthusinsm.
The Spanish are easily excited to en-
thusiasm at the prospect, placed before
them by these infiammatory articles, of
adding to their country's glories a triumph
over the powerful American people. They
take it an insult if American superiority
is suggested, even in joke.
Senior Ramon Galban. a leading mer-
chant. said in the presence Of this corre-
spondent: Il wish there were war tomor-
row. and l would give my life to see VIC
tory over the Yankees
others say, for instance: The Yankees
will not take Havana. but if they should,
they will only find ruins
Some emphatically declare that they
would prefer to blow up their own houses
rather than have them taken by the Amer
leans. There is a good deal said along this
line.
Exchange is still falling. Provisions are
rising in price, although still abundant.
There is great activity in military centers.
and much enthusiasm in carrying on the
work of completing the defenses. The
generals come and go after conferences
with General Blanco.
Beginning of the End.
Everything indicates the beginning of the
end Local committees have placed thirty
nine districts of Havana in an offensive
the troops the volunteers. FL -orreo
publishes a telegram from MatanZas say
ing that the news of the coming conflict
with the Americans has been received
there with great enthusiasm. The night
before a thousand patriots made an i'm
posing demonstration. marching past Gen
Molina acclaimng Spain, the queen regent,
the king, the army and navy.
Gen RiapcO Cen Molina and tho oh; #
officers of the three Maria Christina bat
talions will give up a months salary each
in aid of the navy fund.
Ell Correo, commenting on the trip of the
parliamentary commission to confer with
the insurgent leaders, says:
THE commission should have gone eight
days ago 1t is now stormy and they may
get wet"
To Burn Charity Clothing.
Ell Concrete advises that the clothing re-
ceived for the reconcentrados by the steam
er Bergen should be burned. Three Brit
ish subjects, who We're detained in Cabanas
fortress under suspicion of taking notes as
to the Notifications, have been released on
the request If Mr.. Gollan, the British con-
sui general. Today has been very hot, and
unusual meteorological conditions were pre-
scented this ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS clouds
to the north and cumrlus to the east.
Passenger Steamers Neutral.
Although the Plant line steamers have
suspended their trips Letween Tampa and
Havana. possibly fearing seizure in the
event of hostilities, Capt. Gen. Blanco has
notified Mr. Alexander Go,lan, the British
ccrsul here, who is acting for the United
States, that even in the case OF war being
declared regular passenger steamers will
be considered as sailing under a neutral
flag.
v arm. War preparations continue.
The Centric Gallogo Society has given up
several houses belonging to it for use by
the government in case CT war
Intervention Means War.
The Union Constitutional, in an editorial
today, commenting upon the resolutions
adopted by the Congress of the United
States, says: Intervention means war
for Spain. But il is easier to vote than
to execute"
Continuing. the Union Ccnsti .ucional le-
marks: so far Spain has treated The
United States with contempt. Now she
will kick her and use TIE whip
The steamer Madrileno and the Mexican
schooner Arturo arrived here yesterday.
Local Pensions.