The Portland daily press., 1898-04-07
ALARMING REPORTS DISCOUNTED.
MORO Castle Gunners Are Very Poor
Marksmen.

Havana, (via Key West, Fla.), April 6.
After many days of foolish confidence
that nothing would happen, number of
people here, Americans and Others, have
plunged into foolish fears and turmoil.
People who should know better insist
that war has. been declared; others are
sure that the Pope has secured peace
with honor. Bankers with close Ameri-
can connections are packing their pa
pers, collecting debts, arranging for guards
for their vaults and sending their fami-
lies away. Cuban women, with hus-
bands, fathers or brothers in the insur-
gent ranks, are in state of terror.
The few Simon Pure Americans who
remain, Keep as cool AS may be. The
officials and newspaper men have heard
SO many tales which have proved mere
huncombe that they are not prepared to
believe any evidence but that OF their
own senses.
When Consul General Lee says, with
that delightful chuckle of his: "Wel1,
gentlemen, guess we would batter be get
ting our traps together all will stand
to attention, formally salute, and say,
Every good, sir" and pack up.
Probably it cannot be done, but 1t
would be gratifying to sail out past MORO
castle with the yellow Fern as the flagship
in the lead and the Bache and Man
grove in her wake all decked with Anne
rican bunting from traffrails to peaks,
and with banners bearing the legend,
"We GO, bat will return soon,' or the
shorter dictum, "Ses you later"
1t is to the credit of the government
here that although it was well known
that today was crucial with war propa-
BILE and Spanish defeat certain, Havana
up to II this morning was generally quiet
and orderly.
The removal of the embargo conse-
ouent upon the quarantine laws, gives
relief to thousands, but the new trouble
arises of lack OF transportation. NO douDt
many will leave as the result Of a needless
scare since probably they would pc as
safe here as anywhere. possible pom
bardment being left out Of account.
Some Spaniards still talk wildly about
the United States fleet being blown out
of the water by fire from the Havana
batteries on the water front, but as care
full practice two days ago showed the In
ability of the gunners to come with 100
yards of target on smooth water at
range of two miles or thereabouts, naval
mon need not be apprehensive OF the
effect of the Havana guns. The story sent
North that 40 mines had been recently
sunk in Havana harbor, is not verified.
1t is improbable.
Likely enough, however, single line
and perhaps a double line of torpedoes
has been laid in the narrowest part of
the channel near the entrance. 1t is
not known whether they are electric or
contact torpedoes, but possibly there are
both varieties.
Yesterday the Spanish general, Alex
ander Rodriguez, with the sub ordinate
Rafael Cardenas, .lacinto
Hernandez Luis De Cardenas and Jose
Guines, this province, bound west 1t is
believed that the force has been ordered
to join the other troops in Matanzas,
province In order to repel the expected
raid of Maxine Gomez and Garcia, de-
tails of which have already. been given. ::
/ No news has been received from the
Maron Jusaor trocha as yet, nor is there
likely to be any for some days. The
country is in a state of even greater ex-
citement than the city.
PREPARING FOR EMERGENCY.
New Haven, Conn, April 6.-The Con-
solidated road has begun to distribute
cars to the different stations in the state
where militia companies are organized
and the move is considered to be OIL great
Significance.
The move began to be noticed in differ
emit cities in the state late last evening
when several passenger cars were side
tracked at the stations. "Empties'' We're
left at New Briton, Meridian and Middle
town yesterday afternoon and also long
line of extra cars were left standing on
the tracks at the Hartford depot. Orders
were left with the station agents at all
these places to hold the cars until further
orders. This morning other cars were run
to other towns on the Valley and Manga
tuck division and the distribution Will
go on gradually until every station is
supplied where militia would need special
cars The news has stirred up the militia
in the state to considerable excitement.
1t was said at the Consolidated road yards
today that special train was awaiting
in the yard all made up and ready TO be
put into service at moments e-uotlce.
The Consolidated road is sending the cars
around as q precautionary order, on an
intimation it is understood from Hart
ford, that the militia would probably be
called out. sFi@
Col. Morgan, assistant qusrtermastar
tionary measure, and is due to no special
or rush orders of any kind. The situa-
tion may warrant the move later and it
may not We are simply preparing to
make sudden call easier Tor US. ABORT
fifty passenger cars are needed to trans
port the men to NiRntio, "a baggage cars
and 20 cars for horses besides other cars
for other impediments. OF course, since
the road has been carrying the men to
Mantle every year, we are thoroughly
well versed in the proper methods and
could not be inconvenienced by any sud
den order. just at present we are only
taking precautions.
ENDORSE MCKINLEY.
Worcester, Mass, April e.-The New
England Methodist conference today
adopted resolutions addressed to the Pre-
sident rs follows:
"The conference desires to express to
you it's profound sympathy in your I'M
firing efforts in behalf of suffering hu-
mainly on the island Of Cuba. and its
hearty endorsement Of your policy to do
everything consistent with our honor as
nation, to adjust strained relations
between this country and Spain without
resource to devastating war. 1t is the
fervent prayer of the preachers and the
people that you may have the dignihed
support of the national Congress in the
settlement of this difficulty
HOPE OF PEACE STRONGER.
Madrid April g. p. m.-The hope of
reaching DeaCefuI settlement with the