Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1898-08-02
DEEP TREACHERY.
Spaniards at San Juan Law
a Wicked Plot.
Would Surrender City and Then Blow
Americans Up With Mines.
Information Brought by British Captain Who
Succeeded in Running Blockade

Provincctown, Mass, Aug. 1.-The
British schooner Bravo. Captain Eme-
no. arrived in port, this afternoon. from
san Juan. Porto Rico, Cor ordcrs> ana
her master reports that nc succeeded in
running the blockade at the latter port
ana disposed Of cargo Of food at high
prices
In On interview with The Associated
Press correspondent Capt E.meno says:
We arrived off san Juan. July 6th
and ran the blockade, which at that
time we did not know existed. ii having
been declared after we left Lunenburg.
y. ). While we We're trying TO make
the harbor We sighted big steamer
which later proved to be the Yosemite
She sighted US and pat about At full
steam IL overhaul us, and l put the
schooner about under the impression
that she might he blockader. As We
nearcd her the Yosemite changed her
course to the westward ana in a shor,
time Ne came about and made for the
harbor, The cruiser thereupon chang
"a her course 10 overtake Us ana again
the Bravo was put about to meet the
Yosemite, this manoeuvering occurring
several times until finally we We're
nearly opposite the harhor
Il decided to risk getting III as w
were between the fire Of the Spanish
forts and the Yosemite if attempt was
made 10 stop us, ana sailed in. We re-
manned at san Juan for seven days, III
the meantime dlsposins Of the cargo Of
-four ana fish. Flour sold at So per
sack Of 200 pounds, salt fish being 80
cents a pound. Our agent advised Us
TO remain aboard while in port, inform
ing US that the natives were more hos
tile than ever. CHASING US as allies q
the Americans
san Juan is strongly fortified, espec-
tally on the land side. There are be
tween $4,000 and 10000 soldiers there
and they have been preparing for the
coming of the Americans. Strong de-
fences in the shape of carthworks and
rifle pits have been erected. There
was also plot to blow UP the entire
American army when it reaches the
city.
The Spaniards have laid pipes under
the ground filled with powder and other
explosives leading to mines beneath the
city. Should the dcfences fail they in
tend to surrender the city, allowing
the American troops to take possession
and when the Americans are we'll with
in the city a signal is to be given caus-
ing the mines to do their deadly work
and they believe to annihilate the
American army in that visinty These
pipes also lead to a mine three miles
outside the city.
after taking on a cargo of sugar on
the 18th. also As Spanish persons. they
hoping to reach Spain by way of St.
Thomas. we set sail We found the
channel blockaded. the Spaniards hav-
ing sunk large vessel in the middle,
ana also placed Instructions on both
sides of the craft. A portion of thy
wreekage was removed so we could
proceed, but this was Immediately re-
placed after we passed. We got under
way at $50 p. NJ. on the 18th. every
one on board expecting to meet block
aiding craft.
The Yosemite again showed UP ana
fired a shot across oru bow; we kept
on, and once more she fired and | con-
cluded to slow up, fearing third shot
would hit u.s. 4 terrible sea was on
at the time the cruiser lowered her boat
and attempted to reach us but owing
to the roughness of the sea the boat
nut back. She hoisted her boat aboard
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