Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1898-04-07
HAVANA WANTS WAR.
Expected by Some Hopefully, by
Many Fearfully.

Expected by some Hopefully, by
Many Fearfully.
st. Paul, April 5. - The New York
Herald's special cable to the Pianeer
Press from Havana says:
Var is expected by all here now-ex-
pected by some hopefully, by many
fearfully. 1t is in the air. There is a
new and sprightly note In the music to
which the soldiers of Spain march this
morning. Their step has a new spring
to 1t. Rockets and saluting guns, to
which no one gave a second thought
two days ago. have caused inquiring
words and glances for the last forty
three hours. The palace expects war.
The censor told me it was Inevitable,
the United States having forced Spain
to the wall, and Spain. with her back
TO 1t would give the enemy his fill of
fighting. The censor's idea of ii is
that OF the Spaniard, military and
civil. The wires flashed to Madrid
last evening the news that three
American vessels had been seen off
Havana harbor, and, though Ameri-
cans knew the story was due to smoke
seen afar, many in the city accepted
ii as an evidence of the
Approach of the Squadron
from Key West. which vas lying
within striking distance of Havana,
waiting for orders to blockade the
port. This news lent new interest to
the movements of the ViZcaya and
Oquendo, which sailed, ii is believed,
for Porto Rico to join the torpedo
squadron. Inquiries at the palace re-
garding the object in sending the twin
cruisers to sea at this time met with
uplifted brows, and a polite refusal 70
reply. 1t was given out that the cruis-
erS We're going to Mexico. This, Of
course, is nonsense, and the only rea-
sonable conclusion is that the Ameri-
cans are expected to intercept the tor
pedo squadron and the Vizcaya and
Oquando were hurried off to Porto
Rico to join the smaller vessels and
give battle for them If necessary. 1t
is difficult to describe the growth OF
the war scare here. AS yet there has
been no violence or even threats, but a
realization OF the
Gravity of the Situation.
has come TO all. The guard around
the American consulate was again
doubled and Gen. Lee is assured by
Capt. Gen. Blanco that every possible
effort will be made to protect him and
other Americans.
Consul General Lee now knows the
full details of the situation but seems
not to expect hostilities On Monday or
Tuesday. as many do, thinking it more
probable that no encounter will occur
before April Is. Gen. Lee goes to and
from his Office as usual. He feels the
full gravity of the situation, but is
calm and cheerful as Of old, believing
that If negotiations are suspended
suddenly between Washington and
Madrid he and other Americans re-
naming will
Go Away in safety.
under the protection Of the Spanish au-
thorities. The Fern, with the Stars
and stripes above her, lies in the har-
bora ship of refuge in case of ex-
tremity. Gen. Lee had an informal
conference with British Consul Gullon
and came TO an understanding regard
ing the E~nglishman's curse In case
the demonstration against Americans
reached open violence and threatened
a massacre. No doubt the consuls will
stand together in case of an emerg-
ency.