The River Falls times. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1894-1933, 1898-05-24

Copyright, 1893, by Associated Press.)
Key West, May 24!The tranquility
of q tropical Sunday has been undis-
turbed by definite news from any quar-
ter. A few naval uniforms Oh the
streets are the only signs of the proX-
unity of this languid town to the thea
ter of war. There are only one or two
ships III the harbor and they are coal
ing with all haste to get away to join
their fellows in action, which all are
convinced is only matter of days, per-
haps hours. Speculation is still con-
centrated on the whereabouts of Adj
miral Cerevera's squadron, the general
opinion favOring some point on the
Southern coast. AS both sides of the
island are now patrolled by United
States WarshipS the naval authorities
will not admit the possibility of Cere-
vera's escape without the most desper-
ate conflict in the history of naval war
fare Reports from Admiral Samp-
sons squadron say that all it quiet off
the northern coast of Cuba. Nothing
from Commodore Schley is expected
before tomorrow A rumor reached
here that four American Warships,
while bombarding Santiago de Cuba,
had been driven off by the Spanish
fleet. but the story is generally dis
credited here. Where it came from is
a mystery.
Bomburdment of Cardenas.
Senor Esnesto Castro, a we'll known
lawyer, and president of the revolu-
tionary junta of Cardenas, arrived here
on the United States gunboat Annapo-
lis. During the recent bombardment
Of Cardenas he was in the bay in
small boat. trying to reach the Amerl-
can vessels and get transportation to
the United States on an important mis-
sion. He was compelled to return to
the shore, where he saw and heard the
results of the bombardment. The
Spanish gunboats that lured the Unit.
cd States torpedo boat WinSloW into
the death-trap, were the Antonio LO-
peg, Lealtad and Ligera. During the
fight the two former retreated behind
the wharves and the Ligera behind
key. 1t was the Antonio Lopez that
opened fire on the WinsloW and de-
cCyed her into the channel. The Span
iSll troops formed on the public square,
not daring to go to the WharveS; all
the Spanish flags were lowered, as they
furnished targets, and the families all
fled to Jovellanos. Senior Castro says
an American shell exploded in the
very entrance to the Spanish casino,
Scattering the Building
and set it on fire. The casino, which
had been used as military headQuar-
tiers and infantry barracks, and which
was the largest structure in the town,
was utterly destroyed. Other build
ings were wrecked. Some Of the shots
went as far as the Triente sugar plan
tation. two miles in the intrior. The
Spanish loss of life he believes to have
been heavy. 1t was so reported. After
the bonbardment ceased the military
commander pressed all able-bodied men
into the work of carrying sand to build
new batteries, and the next day 1,2O0
men were brought from Matanzas and
Havana to continue the work. Senior
Castro, after passing four days on the
Piadras key, signalled the United
States gunboat Wilmington and was
taken off, He says famine prevails
everywhere in Cuba. In CardenaS rice
is 80 cents a pound, condemned milk
sells at $50 per can and horset1esh
brings 10 cents pound There is no
beef or bread The insurgents are in
dire distress. Formerly provisions
were struggled from the cities, but
that relief is now impossible, since the
cities themselves are starving. The in
surgents are trying to subsist on pep
perry wood and palm buds. Senior Cas-
tro tasted meat here for the first time
in five weeks.