The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1898-07-14

KEY WEST, Fla. July 1S.-Accord'
ing to adViees from Havana, received
here to-day, Governor General Blancc
attempted to commit suicide when he
learned beyond doubt that Admira
cervera's squadron had been annihlla-
ted.
Long before the Spanish ndmiral''
gallant dash out Of Santiago harbor, all
Havana had been boastinE Of his abil-
Ity to outwlt the Americans, and when
misleading dispatches gave the impress
sion that he had eluded the American
heet. the demonstrations of Joy in the
Cuban capital parto0k Of the nature Of
q festival.
When The true story Of the defeat
came, II was dIscredIted until definite
confirmation from Madrid no longer left
room for hope. Gloom settled upon the
citV, all galeties were stopped aud ev-
cry public and many private buildings
were hung with crepe and other black
draperies. Bldnco was in the palace
when the intelligence reached him and
he became almost frenzled.
Had to be Disnrmr,l.
He was closeted with his staCE and
General Arolas. OF the Spanish forces
discussing the news when he made the
attempt on his life. After struggle
he was subdued and disarmed, but the
shock was 30 severe that he was pros
trated and compelled to keep to his bed
for several days. When he arose his
hFst order was to prohibit any food
supplies leaving Havana for interior
towns where the distress is most poig-
nant and where many are starving
daily.
This and other valuable information
was brought by Jose Pauline Blanco,
who Indignantly repudlated a sugges-
tIon OF klnship with the governor gem
eraI. He says he Is loyal Cuban and
escaped to avoid the necessity Of fight
ing against his cause, as every man In
the Island who IS able 10 bear arms Is
being pressed Into the Spanish service.
Rating sharks.
Jose BIanco says the living conditions
IN Havana are constantly growing
worse. tho great distress necessarily
falling on the Cubans because nearly
all the food Is seized for the troops. OF
those there are about 10000 In the city,
consisting OF volunteers, mobllized
troops, militia and regulars. Their rn-
tlons are largely rice and beans with
out even bacon. Jerked beef, BlancO
says, sells for thirty cents pound,
bread OF poor quality for fifty cents,
lard 81. meat seventy-five cents, corn
meal twenty-five cents, and rice fifty
cents. Shark food is eagerly sought, and
the day before Blanco left the city one
shark caught In Eavana harbor sold
for 313 50.
Ripe for Revolt,
Those OF the reconcentrndos who have
sufficient influence with the dispensing
authorities some times contrIve to gel
one wretched meal day. but the 9TH
ers starve and It Is no uncommon thing
Blanco says. to see persons drop dead in
the streets. Even among the SpAniards
starvation ID rapidly sapping their 10y
atty, and large number OF men Is
banded together, awaiting the tirst
American attack on Havana as signal
for revolt.
The grocery and provision stores are
empty, and the only articles on the Ha-
Vana wharVeB are about a thousand
barrels OF cement, vet and useless. On
~ liquor is to be had cheaply.
DetensOs ILeing Strengthened.
Work on the defences continue with
ceaseless vIgor. Two lines Of cables
bearing torpedoes have been strung
across the harbor from the city side to
Moro Castle. and the same has been
done In the bag OF MarIel, where, It was
reported in Havana, American troops are
to be landed. Sand battery No. 2, east
of Havana, has lately mounted six
inch guns In the extreme eastern side OF
the battery commanding the const line,
and few days ago sent
two shots at the MaBAower, which
had been cruising close to the shore
supposedly out OF range. New masked
batteries are also being built along the
shore.
Jose BIanco further reported that
three weeks ago the Spanish steamers
MOntevideo and Santo Domingo crepi
out of the harbor at midnight with oil
lights out aud safely got through the
blockade.
ships Tn the HaFhor.
The Spanish ships now In the harbor
he Gays, are the gunboats Conde Yenn-
ditto Marquise de la Ensenadn, NeuVa
Espana, FllIpInas and Nanes Pln2onr
several of which are unit for service,
The guns have been removed from the
cruiser Alfonso XIII, and used for shore
batteries and the cruiser has been con-
Vcrted into hospital ship. There arc
alSo in the hnrbor n number Of smaller
Warships OF the nature OF converted
yachts. Including the Flecha, Agullln
MaRulllHnos nnd two others. All OF
these vessels except the Alfonso XIII
are always, ready to move on short no.
tice.
The merchant steamers Joseta, ,Adolph
and Maria Harara are also In the har-
Dor.