Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-04-05
TAKING THINGS EASY
Americans in Havana Enjoy Them
selves Despite War Prospect.
NIGHT TRIP IN SHORE BOAT
Vigilance Of SentineIs on the
Spanish Warships.
AN ENERVATING CLIMATE

From Staff Correspondent of the Associated Press
| HAVANA, March 81 Amid all the
| alarms of a prospective or possible breach
between the United States and Spain the
consular officials and newspaper correspond
ents, pretty nearly all the bona fide Amer
| leans left in Havana, pursue their several
| vocations with a serenity which, if assum-
| ed does high credit to their histrionic
| powers.
One question does vex the souls of the
newspaper men-qaurantine Until this
year. after getting a clean bill of health
from the United States sanitary service
here, the American could put off his de-
| parture northward to May 49, But, owing
to the ravages of yellow fever last year,
the southern tier of states, Florida par
ticularly, decided upon advancing the date
of possible departure to April l. More
rigid laws were never imagined than those
of florida. and it is a question of being
willing to undergo quarantine fumigation
and all the rest of ii, at Tortugas-no
steamer will take you and run the risk of
lc ng delay and costly disinfection.
Only the Mascotte Left.
The Olivette of the Plant line having de-
| parted for far northern waters and chang
FAX, the Mascotte alone is left as regular
Key West boat, ard she will refuse all
passengers unless they nave become i'm
mune by ten years residence in yellow
fever countries or have had the dread dis
ease already.
Steamers clearing here for Florida ports
must not only have an immune captain and
crew, but must be OF steel or iron and
are not allowed to pass a single night in
a Cuban port. You can go to New York
without all these restrictions facing YOU
but the correspondents don't want to reach
Key West via New York. but unless the
quarantine laws modified Gas every
enc hopes they will be in these critical
tlmes) they have TO other course.
Boat Trip in the Harbor.
A boat trip taken by this correspondent
in Havana harbor Monday night may give
some ideas of the differences existing be-
tween Cuban and American ports to the
restrictions. The correspondent had an in
teresting bulletin concerning cabinet action
in Washington, etc, received from the New
York Office. The officer the Fern had
been promised that they should share the
correspondents news from home when re-
ceived The cablegram was transcribed in
the office here at 5:15 pm, but was SO in
teresting evidently. that it was passed
around from one Spanish officer to another
until 9:30 pm. when it sealed and de-
livered to the hands for which it was first
intended. A quick drive to Lea Machina
(the principal dock for harbor boats and
speedy arrangement for passage follow
ed, and we We're away toward the bright
lights in the harbor offing that showed
where the Fern lay.
Caesano had to row, though there was a
good breeze, and stoutly did he anathema-
tie the rule forbiddng the use of sails in
the harbor after nightfall. Soon We were
within cable length of the stern of the
ViZcaya and the Alpfonse Doce between
which stretched a lane of black water
leading Fernward. A quick challenge from
each snip, quicker reply and few more
strokes were made. Then two more cha!-
lenSeS rung out from the SentrieS amid
Ships, then a spectral patrol boat poked
her inquisitive nose out of the gloom and
her coXsWain seemed only half satisfied
at the information "Americanos a la Fern
Passed Without stopping.
But we passed without stopping, only to
be challenged more forcibly than ever by
the forecastle sentry on the Vizcaya whose
order 10 stop was accented by the shar.
rattle of his rifle as he brought it to a
ready. 1t appeared that our boatman had
not properly displayed his lantern, and it
was quite a while before apologies ten
dered and promises Of amendment made
were accepted as satisfactory.
The dispatch was read to the officers on
the Fern, and comments passed full of wis
dom or the reverse, the wherry was order
ed to take the correspondent back to Ha-
vana. The little boat was manned b. a
couple of sturdy tackles" the stroke be-
ing especially impressive, physically We
were challenged repeatedly as before,
and Jacks reply of Largo" was rather
surly. As we got amidships of the big
black FiZcaya, the correspondent ventured,
"a fine ship, Jack
Good enough, SIR" was the answer 1--WE
need her to make up for the one yonder -
AS he spoke he nodded over his shoulder
toward the halloWed, but hated SPOT
where, grim in the dim light reared the
wreckage Of the good ship Maine. Nothing
was said for while. but finally the news
paper man, as he watched the massive
chest of the stroke oar heave, and his tat
tooed arm grow rigid for a pull: did you
see that telegram in Ell Correo this even
ing?'
Response OF the Tars.
mo, sir, what was it?'
'It said hundreds of seamen were de-
sorting from the fleet at Key West because
they feared war was coming"
Twin oatbs from the stroke and bows
that followed this remark was as delight
full as they were startling. Then came the
quick, insinuation query:
Would you mind telling us about where
that there newspaper has its printing place
in the city yonder? Just in case we should
get ashore with some of them 'deserters'
some day, sir
1t was time to call way enough" thank
andsleave the tars, and SO the mild query
was not answered.
When you hear or read of the "stern dis
cipline'' on men-of-war, and, mayhap. of
the carelessness by naval officers toward
the feelings of the men. remenSBer Sigs-
bees visit to the wounded when he said,
"Ah. my lads, you chose the wrong cap
tain" and the eager reply of the MANNED
fellows who Strengthened up in their cots
and cried, Indeed no. captain. Never sir.
never"
The story has been told before. 1t will
bear retelltng often: for. is Sigsbee, so
are most. II not all. Of the commanding
officers Of Uncle Sans ships. Scarcely had
Capt. Cowles of the Fern read the bulletin
above referred to ere he asked permission
to send 1t forward to the men to read, and
the cheers that greeted the announcement
that the cabinet wouldn't stand no more
monkey business" as one of the lads put
it, were enough 10 starue that curly SEN
tinel on the Vizcaya's forecastle.
An Enervating Climate.
It takes q good deal to excite one in Ha-
vana. The climate is enervating, and news
paper men grow lazy listless skeptical OF