The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-03-07
sPANIARDs ON THE ALERT
PICKET BOATS GUARDING THE HAR-
BOR BOTH DAY AND NIGHT.
Belief Growing that BIancO's Divers
Have Found the Maine Was BIOyn
Up by Mine Explosion.

HAVANA, March s, via Key West, Fla-T-
AS the conviction becomes settled that the
naval court of inquiry will decide that there
was a mine explosion under the battle ship
Maine, discussion among American naval
officers and civilians here is prevalent as
to the warlike measures which it is believed
the United States government will adopt in
case the question of the payment of in-
demnity by Spain is overruled. A majority
believe that American troops will be landed
at some point east of Havana and the i'm
surgents communicated with; that the Span
ish sodiery will be defeated or captured
in detail, and that in the meantime a fleet
of United States vessels will blockade, IL not
lombard, Havana. No one seems to doubt
that the reduction of this city would be
comparatively easy. -Four twelve-inch guns
two west and two east of the city-are
the only ones that are considered danger
Gus. These are not likely to be well served,
while their emplacements are not modern.
That some spaniards are of opinion that
an attack on Havana will be made is be-
lieved to be shown by the abnormal activity
displayed on board the vizcaya. The Asso-
ciated Press correspondent has the best ma
val authority for the statement that the
Vizcaya is in constant state Of readiness
for emergencies, and that picket boats are
on the alert day and night inside the har-
Dor, and outside the harbor at night. 1t is
pointed out that the men-of-war Vizcaya
and Almirante Oquendo might be caught in
a blockade and fall an easy prey to a
United States fleet The cruiser Alfonso
XIII is without boilers. and would be Of no
account All this discussion of the proba-
bility of war among the Americans and
spaniards proves nothing. and only shows
the state of feeling here.
The conduct of the Spanish divers who
are investigating the wreck of the Maine
is mystery. Thus far they have not been
down five hours in the aggregate. and they
show no disposition to make thorough in
quiry. 1t is impossible to learn the truth
fully regarding the purpose of the Spanish
court of inquiry, but it is generally believed
that the divers were sent down for FORMS
sake only. and that a report will be made
in accordance with instructions from Mad
rid. 1t may be that the Spanish divers
have discovered that the whole port side of
the Maine forward is gone, and, having so
reported, further examination is deemed un-
he orIr af
henceforward is bound to be slow, owing to
the ponderous weights to be moved and the
safety clamps, nuts and rivets that must
be cut.
Senator Proctor is likely to make q
speech in the Senate on his return that
will have great weight in determining the
future policy of the United States He is
much affected by the suffering that he
found In Matanzas and highly indignant at
what he calls the "inhumanity of the course
pursued. During a visit to Arternisa,
this province, he saw thousands of recon-
centrados who refused to beg. though
starving They were evidently of class
accustomed to make their living and uu-
willing to become paupers. He saw thou
sands of acres of the best tobacco and
banana lands in the world reduced to
waste, with trochas and garrisons at every
village and cross road. His driver, pointing
to the mountains, fifteen miles away, says:
There are plenty of insurgent camps ttera
that the Spanish have never discovered"
The work of distribution OF American re-
lief under Miss Clara Barton, Mr.. Elwell
and their assistants Is in Senator Proc
tors judgment, carefully and effectively
carried on. The demand is far in excess of
the supply. The supplies expected at
Matanzas and Sagua La Grande. to be
brought by American cruisers, will afford
unspeakable relief.
Now that the Almlrante Oquendo and the
Vizcaya are lying in the harbor the Span
iards exultingly declare that the city is
safe; and it is given out officially in the
newspapers that the new arrival is of the
same size, armament and complement as
the Vizcaya-
WHOLESALE ARRESTS.
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