Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-05-20

| who was going out in a small fishing boat
| with mail for the American fleet. and the
writer is informed that he was shot the
same afternoon.
Misery in Many Places.
The Pals, organ of the autonomist party,
| says great misery prevails at Matanxas and
at Cardenas and other towns on account Of
Inc scarcity of provisions, and the paper
| adds that the country people are now in a
wo, Sc condition than they ever were before
All sorts of misleading rumors are in
ten tionally circulated by the Spanish off,
Gals here for their own purposes, and the
tales of Spanish repulses of American
forces come in at almost regular intervals
and from nearly every point about the
blockaded portion of the coast to say
nothing of the stories of brilliant Spanish
victories which are said to have reached
here from abroad For instance, today a
rumor. traced to the palace. said: THE
Spanish fleet, alter a heroic defensive
battle with an American fleet at Cavite.
Philippine Islands, lost two vessels and
about 800 killed and 400 wounded, after
which the Spanish officers refusing to sur
render. and in order to prevent the Spanish
fleet from falling into the hands of the,
vessels
The palace report also said the American
fleet at Manila was bombarding that city,
and that, in consequence. the Spanish au-
thorities and the garrison of Manila had
retreated into the interior. Later, the fol-
lowing official news was published:
"A Spanish fleet has fought heroically
with an American fleet at Cavite obliging
the American fleet to retreat with consid-
cradle loss. The Spanish losses were also
very heavy
Expect n Naval Victory.
OF course, the greatest interest is taken
here in the approaching meeting between
the Spanish and American fleets in these
waters. The fleet from Spain is expected at
almost any moment, and is being constant
ly watched for, and day and night signals
are ready to guide it safely into the har-
tor 1t is expected that the result of the
battle will decide the war in favor of the
United States or Spain, and it is impossible
to make the Spaniards doubt the eventual
triumph of the yellow and red flag of their
country.
The French steamer Lafayette arrived
here from Key West on Saturday morning,
May Z, and commenced unloading her car
80 anu dlio"tu passengers 20 come on
shore. When nearly all the cargo had been
taker ashore the French consul and the
&C nsignee of the Lafayette received dis
patches from the French ambassador at
Washington, saying a compromise arrange
ment had been arrived at with the United
States government by which the Lafayette
had been allowed to enter the Havana har-
bor, but with the understanding that her
cargo and passengers were not to be landed.
Thereupon the French consul and con-
signee conferred with Capt. Gen. Blanco.
and later with the members of the colonial
government with the result that permits
sion was obtained" to reload the cargo of
the Lafayette so as to comply with the
desire OF friendly ration (France) without
establishing any precedent and reserving
all rights for action in the matter in the
future in any similar case" .---e-,
Theaters Are Open.
In spite of the lonesome appearance of
the city the theaters are open and are
generally full. though the absence of great
numbers of the better classes Of society is
noticed.
The Spaniards recently tried to construct
a fort at La Carbamera, near Matanzas,
but were prevented by the fire of some
American warships, which destroyed the
works every time the Spanish soldiers were
seen engaged upon them.
A colonel OF the civil guards, Senior Mello,
who appears to have gambled away large
Sims of money belonging to the regiment
he commanded. has gone ever from Colon
to the insurgent ranks. - 49,. -