Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1898-04-27
FLEET AT HAVANA.
The Blockading Fleet Arrives on
the North Coast of
Cuba,


Havana, April D. $50 p. m.-Delaycd
in transmission)-At 4:45 o'clock this
Friday) afternoon the semaphOre sig
nailed that a fleet had been sighted on the
eastern side of she island. 1t was said to
be without any colors to show it's ma
tiOnality. From the front of Moro castle
the correspondent of the Associated press
saw smoke in the distance and soon
afterwards he made out three vessels on
the horizon. At that time, La Punta, the
fort on the side of the harbor opposite
Moro castle, was crowded with curious
people, including many ladies. In addi-
ton crowds of people could be seen at
various points Of vantage, many Of them
gathering on the roofs of houses.
At 6 p. m. the semaphore signaled that
it was the United States fleet which was
in sight, and at 6:10 p. IN. Il red flag was
run up at the signal station, warning guns
were fired from Moro castle and after
wards from Cabanas fortress. adjoining
it. This caused great excitement
throughout the city and was the first real
note Of war
When the first signal came from the
sor'nphore sta ton, Il British schooner,
which was in the harbor, put to sea- She
WAS immediately followed by the German
steamer RemuS. Sometime afterWard
sea.
The cannon shots from the fortresses
stirred up the regular troops and vOlun-
teers throughout Havana and its vicinity
and there was Il rush to quarters. The
signal guns from the Notifications re-
echoed to the palace and through the
streets, causing people to rush from the
houses. with the result that all the thor
OuShfareS were soon crowded with eX-
cited inha bitants.
ID Il
while at the palace, to which place the
generals and commanders of the volun-
teers promptly reported, full of excite
ment and Warlike enthusiasm Some
time afterwards the aptain-general, aC
companied by his staff, the generals and
others, left the palace and was warmly
acclaimed by the soldiers and pOpulace.
The general then made a brief final in
spection of the Notifications and went to
spot from which he could see the APP
preaching feet.
There certainly was no sign of alarm
anywhere. The Spanards are confident
that Havana is prepared for any eventu-
atty and they have great faith in the
strength OF their forts, batteries, etc,
and III the effectiveness Of their heavy ar
tiliery. In fact, there was a feeling of
satisfaction at the warlike tremors which
spread everywhere when it was seen that
the hour of battle was apparently APP
soon to give battle to their enemies.
Only those who witnessed the demean-
or of the people, military and civilians,
can understand the enthusiasm which
prevailed on all sides.
As the time passed, more and more
people crowded to the spot from which the
fleets could be most fayorably seen. By
$50 p. m. there was a great movement
of the masses through all the streets and
on all quarters. The houses and clubs
were crowded with excited people, dis
cussing the arrival of the American war
ships. The Spaniards expressed them
selves as anxious to measure arms with
the invaders" and there was no express
sion of doubt as to the result Many of
the stores are closed, as their owners and
employees are volunteers and have. there
fore, been called to the defense of the
city.
AS this dispatch is sent the civil and
military authorities of Havana are IN CON
sultatiOn at the palace and every Drecau-
ton possible to the Spaniards has been
taken to guard against Il night surprise
and to resist an attack if the lombard
ment is commenced.
Defy Americans.
Throughout the evening the scenes of
enthusiasm continued in the harbor dis
trictS and San LaZar0 avenue was full
of people who shouted defances at the
distant American fleet, yelling Shoot
away" WHY don't you shoot?" etc.
When the news Of the capture of the
Spanish steamer Beuna Ventura, by the
United States cruiser Nashville, twenty
miles off Key West, reached here Adj
miral Manterola, the Spanish naval com
mander, wished to prevent the sailing of
the American steamer Saratoga, but
Capt.-Gen. Blanco was opposed to this
step and she was allowed to sail.
1t was estimated this evening that
there were from $4,000 to $4,000 men
under arms in Havana proper. The dis
trict outside of Havana is held by the
battalions of engineers.
Everything breathed war Armed men
were to be seen on all sides. the batter
les were alive with artillerymen and car
riages and pedestrians were not per-
mitted to pass certain places and outside
of the Vedado district no move at all
was allowed. Scout boats were sent out
from the harbOr, always in a straight
line and they were coming and going
through the night.
Coasting steamers have been forbidden
TO leave ports on the north coast of the
island.