The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1898-05-23
FROM SIMPSONS FLEET
COMES THE NEWS THAT ALL is
QUIET ON THE COAST
OF CUBA.
THE TRAP THAT LURED THE wlNSLOw
The Shells From the American Ships Did De-
structive Work on Shore at
Cardenas.

CardenaS.
copyrighted 1898 by Associated Press)
Key West, Fla, May 22.-6:30 p. M
The tranquility of tropical Sunday has.
been undisturbed by definite news from
any quarter. There are only one or two
ships in the harbor and they are coaling
with all haste to get away to join their
fellows in an action which all are con
WINGED is only matter of days perhaps
hours.
Speculation is still concentrated on the
whereabouts of Admiral Cervera' s.
squadron, the general opinion favorlng
some point ON the southern coast. AS
authorities will not admit the possibility
both sides of the island are now patroil-
ed by United States warships, the naval
of Ceryera's escape without the most
desperate conflict in the history of naval
warfare. Reports from Admiral Samp-
sons squadron say that all is quiet off
the northern coast of Cuba. Nothing
from Commodore Schley is expected be-
fore Monday or Tuesday. A rumorI
reached here that four American war
ships, while bombarding Santiago de Gu
ba. had been driven off by the Spanish
fleet, but the story is generally discred-
tied. Where it came from is a mystery.
Senior Ernesto Castro, well known
LAWYER and president of the revolution
airy iunta of Cardenas, arrived here to-
day on the United States gunboat An
napolis During the recent bombardmentI
at Cardenas, Senior Castro was in the
bay i'm small boat, trying to reach the
American vessels and get transportation
to the United States on an important
mission He was compelled to return
to the shore, where he saw and heard
of the results Of the bombardment.
The Spanish gunboats that lured the
United States torpedo boat Winslow in
to the death trap were the Antonio Lo-
peg. Leatad and Ligera. During the
fight the two former retreated behind
the wharves and the Ligera behind the
Key. 1t was the Antonio Lopez that
opened fire on the Winslow and decoyed
her into the channel. The Spanish
troops formed on the public square, not
daring to go to the wharves; all the
Spanish flags were lowered as they fur
nished targets, and the families all fed
to JovelanOs.
Senior Castro says an American shell
exploded in the very entrance to the
Spanish casino, SCATTERING the building
and setting it on fire. The casino.
which had been used as a military
headquarters and infantry barracks, and
which was the largest structure in enc
town, was utterly destroyed. Other
buildings were wrecked. Some shots
went as far as the Triente sugar plan
tation, two miles in the interior.
The Spanish loss of life, Castro be-
lieves, to have been very heavy. 1t was
so reported. After the bombardment
ceased the military commander pressed
able bodied men into the work Of carry
ing sand to build new batteries and the
next day 1000 men were brought from
Aatanzas and Havana to continue the
work. Senior Castro, after passing four
days on the Piedras Key. signalled the
United States gunboat Wilmington and
was taken off. He says famine prevails
everywhere in Cuba. In Cardenas rice
is % cents a pound, condensed milk sells
Mt 1.50 per can and horse flesh brings
Toe. pound. There is no beef or bread.
The insurgents are in dire distress.
Formerly provisions were smuggIed
from the cities, but that relief is now
impossible, since the cities themselves
are starving. The insurgents are try
ing to subsist on peppery wood and palm
buds. Senior Castro tasted meat to-day
for the first time in FIVE weeks.
Gustavo Aranguren, brother of the
late Cuban insurgent General Nestor
Aranguren, to-day received letters from
Havana, via Vera Cruz. dated Nav 7.
stating that General Blaneo's orders.
impressing all Cubans into the Spanish
army, has had the effect of driving many
into the insurgents ranks.
A. Betancourt, an American citizen.
and Gonzalez Arrange, the letter states
have been arrested and confined in the
Cabanas Fortress, on charges of aiding
the insurgents.
The destitution in Havana is fricbtful
and is increasing. The grocers. ali of
whom are Spaniards, refuse absolutely
to sell food to the Cubans, as if deter
mined to starve them. The Cubans saw
the Spaniards hate them more than they
do the Americans.
Senior Arangurens correspondents
declare that the Spaniards realize that
Cuba is lost but that before yielding tbe
island, they will endeavor to exterminate
the Cubans