Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1898-05-20
BELIEVE THE U. S. WILL LOSE.
Have Great Faith in the Strength Of the Span
ish Fleet.
PlLING UP MANY foRTFlCATlONs.


Havana. May o, via Vera Cruz, May
1s.-[Copyrlght, 1898, by the Associated
Press. THE weight of the blockade is
beginning to be felt here. Business is
almost at complete standstill and
there is hardly any movement in the
streets, which have a sort Of holiday
| appearance. The parks are almost de-
serted and there are very few people
to be seen on the plaza de Aramas at
night, although the band plays there
and everything possible is done TO keep
up the spirits OF the people.
There is a feverish desire to leave
the island, and over 5000 people booked
at the Office of the conslgnees of the
French steamer Lafayette, which
leaves here today for Vera Cruz, Mex
leo. with this letter which will be post
ed at that port. In fact an actual
panic now prevails, while when the
blockade commenced there was a feel
ing almost of serenity among all class-
es. But things have changed. The
grim earnestncss of the Americans is
steadily forcing itself upon the minds
OF even the most hotheaded Spanish
officers, though the latter are working
vigorously at the fortifications, which
have been considerably strengthened
and improved since the war began.
The spanlards it must be admitted
are preparing to fight as desperately
as possible under the circumstances.
Many families without meana desiring
to emigrate. are endeavorlng 10 borrow
money from more fortunate people in
order to pay their passage.
But it Is impossible TO see how their
condition will be improved 10 any con-
siderable extent even If they do decide
In leaving their blockaded city, for
they have been rendered pennlless and
their chance of earning a livelihood in
any foreign country is very slim.
There is considerable feeling against
the men who are DESTROYS OF leaving
the city and posted on the corners of
houses all over the town you can see
such notices az follows:
Here are sold women's shirts for
men who are abandoning the island of
Cuba"
There has been no disorder In this
city or In the provinces, so far as
known, Though 1t is true people here
are entirely ignorant Of what is trans
spring at Santiago, no mail having
been received from there for some time
past, and the cable being in the hands
of the government and almost exclu-
sively devoted to further military
operations. which are about limited To
eNacuating the interior towns and con-
centrating the Spanish forces at or
about the large cities.
IT is reported here that Santa Cruz
del Sur, on the south coast of Puerto |
Principe, has fallen into the hands az |
the insurgents If this is the case the |
latter now have port at which their |
friends can land arms, ammunition and
supplies without interference. Other |
important events are said TO have tran !
spired at Santa Cruz del Sur
Inc officers Of the Spanish gunboat |
cuba Espanola have reached Sancti |
Spiritus, province OF Santa Clara, by
land and are on their way to Tunos
ana from there by coasting steamer TO
Clenfuegos. One report has 1t that the
commander of the Cuba Espanolo
burned or blew up his vessel in order
to save it from falling into the hands
OF the insurgents. Another version of
the ai1airs says the Gunboat may have
been captured by the insurgents.
Confirmation has been received that
the Spanish troops have evacuated
Jlguno and Bayamo. In the province
OF Santiago de Cuba, and that they
have been occupied by the insurgents
me spaniards say the troops DESTROYED
these two towns before leaving them
but this is not believed.
The troops from these places re-
treated upon Manzanillo and some or
them have reached other coast towns
by this time.
Although the prices Of provisions ba,o
are very high, 1t Is calculated thar
here is food enough obtalnable to i'st
about hve months because II is
claimed, considerable stores We're loid
N before the blockade, and no prn-
'lsions are allowed to be sent from here
% the interior towns.
EGGS cost ten cents each q glass nj
milk costs from 20 to 25 cents and Tho
Size of a loaf of bread has been reduced
me half. This, however, was done no
ore the blockade began.
There are thousands of men from the
'igar, tobacco and other factories out Of
work, and the authorities are emplov-
ng as many of them as possible on the
ortitcations. The number of men idie
'auses the authorities considera BILE an
tiety Up to the present they have
'ecn provided with food in one way or
mother mainly by their former EN-.
'loyers; being compelled to contribute
o their maintenance, but the time
must come when these men will feei
he nangs of hunger and then riotlnr is
ufe to follow.
People here are looking forward with |
pprehension to the eventual triumph
( the Insurgents as II is believed they
VII wreck terrible vengeance upon IN.
'paniards and upon those who have
with the latter.
The bulk Of the Spanlards, however
re filled with warllke enthusiasm ana
re looking forward with confidence IN
n eventual triumph over the Americas
orces. They have great faith in the
trength OF the Spanish feet and the
alor OF the Spanish soldiers and ars
'oking forward hopefully to the block
de being raised by the naval force
ent from Spain =
As soon as n few cannon shots are s
card from the forts. the shores OF /
he bay. San Lazaro avenue and the t
oofs of the houses are immedIateIv | /