The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1898-05-24
FROM SIMPSONS FLEET
COMES THE NEWS THAT ALL Is
QUIET o. THE COAST
OF CUBA.
Ttif TRAP That LURtD THE WlNSlOW
HE Shells From the American Ships Did BE
s~tructiye Work on Shore at
Cardenas.

~ OllNII2lltti 1870 DR ASSo,idiot = AS2''i
Key West, Fla, May 22.-6:3O p. m.-
The tranquility Of Il tropical Sunday has
been undisturbed by definite news from
any quarter. There are only one or two
ships in the harbor and they are coaling
with all haste to get away to join their
fellows in an action which all are con
yinced is only a matter Of days-perhapS
hours.
Speculation is still concentrated on tue
whereabouts Of Admiral Ceryera :
squadron. the general opinion favoring
some point on the southern coast. As
authorities will not admit the possibility
both sides Of the island are now patroll-
ed by United States Warships, the naval
of Ccryera's escape without the most
desperate conflict in the history Of naval
warfare. Reports from Admiral Samp-
sons squadron say that all IS quiet oil
the northern coast Of Cuba. Nothing
from Commodore Schley is expected be-
fore Monday or Tuesday. \ rumor
reached here that four American war
ships. while bombarding Santiago de Gu
ba. had been driven of by the Spanish
fleet, but the story is generally discred-
tied. Where it came from is a mystery.
Senior Ernesto Castro. 4 well knoWn
lawyer, and president Of the revolution
airy junta of CardenaS. arrived here to-
day on the United States gunboat An
napoliS. During the recent bombardment
ut Cardenas, Senior Castro was III the
bay III Il small boat. trying to reach the
American vessels and get transportation
to the United States on an important
mission. He was compelled to return
to the shore, where he saw and heard
of the results of the bombardment.
The Spanish gunhoats that lured the
United States torpedo boat Winslow in
to the death trap We're the Antonio Io-
peg. Leatad and Ligera. During the
fight the two former retreated behind
the wharves and the Ligera behind the
Key. 1t was the Antonio Lopez that
opened fire on the Winslow and decoyed
her into the channel. The Spanish
troops formed on the public square. not
daring to 90 to the wharves; all tie
Spanish flags were lowered as they fur
nished targets, and the families all fled
to Joyellanos.
Senior Castro says an American shell
exploded in the very entrance to the
Spanish casino, SCATTERING the building
and setting it on fire. The casino.
which had been used rs 4 military
headquarters and infantry barracks. and
winch was the largest structure in ,hc
town. was utterly destroyed. Other
buildings We're wrecked. Some shots
went as far as the Triente sugar plan
%tation, two miles in the interior.
The Spanish loss of life. Castro be-
lieyes, to have been very heavy. 1t was
50 reported. After the bombardment
ceased the military commander pressed
able bodied men into the work Of carry
ing sane to build new batteries and the
next day LOO men We're brought from
MatanZaS and Havana to continue the
work. Senor Castro, after passing four
days on the PiedraS Key. ~Signallel the
United States gunboat Wilmington and
was taken off. He says famine prevails
everywhere in Cuba. III Cardenas rice
IS - cents 4 pound, condensed milk sells
at LOO per can and horse flesh brinrS
'3c. 4 pound. There is no beef or bread.
lhe insurgents are in dire distress.
Formerly provisions were smugglel
from the cities, but that relief is now
impossible. since the cities themselves
are starving. The insurgents are try
ing TO SnbSlSt on peppery wood and palm
bHds Senior Castro tasted meat today
for the first time in five weeks.
Gustavo Aranguren, a brother Of the
ldtt otpdH llSUfGent. General NpStor
A~ranguren. to-day received letters from
Havana, via Vera Cruz. dated Nav :
stating that General Blanco's orders
Impressing all Cubans into the Spanish
army. has had the effect Of driving many
INTO the insurgents ranks.
\. Retancourt, an American citizen.
ana Gonzalez Arrange. the letter states.
nave been arrested and confined in the
Cabanas Fortress, on charges of aidinn
the insurgents.
The destitution in Havana is frichtful
ana IS increasing. The grocers. all of
whom are Spaniards. refuse absolutely
to sell food to the Cubans. as if detor-
mined to starye them. The Cubans say
the Spaniards hate them more than thev
do the Americans.
senior Aranguren'S cOrreSnondant
declare that the Spaniard3 realize that
tHba IS lost. but that before Yielding the
island, they will endeavor to exterminato
the CubanS.
100000 VOLUNTEERS MUSTERED