Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-03-27
TENSION In HABANA.
1T rs GREATER THAN 1T WAS 4
WEEK AGO.
NURMURINGS IN LOW ClPES.
Sometimes Black Looks for "Amsri-
canos' on the streets-Spain's
Policy, 1t is Thought. VIII SIN he
n Waiting One. =

HABANA via KEY WEST. March ~
The tension here Is greater than II was
a week ago, while expectancy grows
more acute daily. now that this reports
OF both courts Of inquiry into the Maine
disaster are I'm the hands OF the respeo-
tive governments. or outward signs.
however. OF an impending breach, there
are few, II any. The volunteers and re-
cruits are drilling harder. especially h
artillery work. while the emplacsment
of big guns in the suburb OF Vidido, goes
on apace, with show Of grisly cannon,
quite formidable Ii is noted, however.
that naval officers smile when passing
the works. One said recently: One Of
cur battleships now at the Tortugss
carries more metal than tho whole pack
Of these fellows"
There are murmurings in tho low cafes,
end sometimes rather black looks for
the "Americanos" on the streets, but on
the whole II is much to be doubted whe-
Their Cubans and Spsniards visiting In
terror cities of the United States during
the present state OF feeling would De
treated with as much general courtesy
=
Naval men here are extremely earnest
I'm the wish that the United states should
early take steps TO prevent the arrival
OF the Spanish torpedo feet off the coast
Of Cuba. and within a few hours sail
of the fleet at Key West or the Tortu-
gas All believe that the washington
officials fully approve OF the desiraeihty
of such prevention.
SPANISH POLICY.
The belief OF almost everybody that the
Spanish policy will be the same as thar
SO long maintained-namely. waiting
one. Yet some think that Spain Will say.
in effect. "Your decision is that the ex-
ploslon was external. and ours that II was
Internal. This Is a grave matter. We
demand a further investigator. In
which dlsinterested parties shall
act with the Spanish and American gov
ernments. We will abide by tho deei-
sion Of the final tribunal. so far as an In
demnitv is TO be determined, though now
and forever disclaiming any foreknowl-
edge OF any plot or purpose TO blow up
the Maine"
The high Spanish official who Is prsc-
| ticaTlv quoted above thinks that such
proposition by Spain is bound to meet
with acceptance. being regarded as emf
nently fair by oil civilized nations.
In the mean time General Gomez and
| his followers are evidently prepared 10
continue fighting for years, II necessary.
| This fact may have something to do with
the increased bitterness in the tone OK
the Habana press. which within the past
week has been really abusive OK Amsri-
cans.
GOMEZ YIELDS NOTHING.
General Gomez has written letter 10
| the Junta in New York. reiteratins his
purpose 10 accept nothing but the condi-
| tions Of the Monte CristO declaration. He
| saws ne Is willing. however, to pay Spain
| 5000 O00OOO purchase money, IL need be. He
! is also anxious that the Spanish soldiers
who remain here should help in the re-
| huildiug OF Cuba's commercial greatness.
General Gomez says he has nearer oO%
| than 10000 men under arms. and 10 gain
| ing recruits daily.
Fighting has been resumed with vtgor
| IN the Provinces Of Puerto Principe since
| the failure TO induce the Insurgents 70 ac-
| cent or even listen 10 the ridiculous Of
| fcrs of the Autonomlsts." As usual. II Is
| impossible to tell tho real reeuh OF tho
| engagements from the reports furnished
! here by Spanish officials.
THE RELIEF WORK.
one bright spot in the state or anArs 10
| the relief work. IL Is impossible 70 I'M
derstand the hostile tone OF many Of the
! Habana papers toward the WORK OF re-
| lief. which is so eminently charftabte on
| the surface and beneath IL. The span
iards and Cubans cannot want the recors-
| centrados TO die; yet this would surely
have happened had IL not been for Ameri-
| can succor.