Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1898-03-10
THEY EXPECT WAR.
Americans at Havana Think City
Could Easily BE Captured.

L
Could Easily BE Captured.
Havana, March 7.--As the conviction
becomes settled that the court of in
quiry will decide that there was mine
explosion under the Maine discussion
| among American naval officers and civ
ilians here is prevalent as to the war
like measures which it is believed the
United States government will adopt
in case the question of the payment of
indemnity by Spain is overruled. A ma
jority believe that American troops will
be landed at some point east of Havana
and the insurgents communicated with,
that the Spanish soldiery will be de-
feated or captured in detail, and that in
| the meantime feet of United States
vessels will blockade, if not lombard
Havana. No one seems to doubt that
the reduction of this city would be
comparatively easy. Four 12-inch guns
two west and two east of the city
are the only ones that are considered
dangerous. These are not likely to be
well served, while their emplacements
are not modern.
That some Spaniards are of the opin-
ion that an attack on Havana will be
made is believed to be shown by the
abnormal activity displayed on board
the Vizcaya. On the best naval authori-
ty the statement is made that the Viz
caya is in constant state of readiness
for emergencies, and that picket boats
are on the alert day and night inside the
harbor and outside the harbor at night.
1t is pointed out that the men-of-war
Vizcaya and Almirante Oquindo might
be caught in a blockade and fall an
easy prey to the United States fleet.
The cruiser Alfonso XII is without
boilers, and would be of no account.
All this discussion of the probability of
war among the Americans and Span
iards proves nothing, and only shows
the state of feeling here.
The conduct of the Spanish divers
who are investigating the wreck of the
Maine is mystery. Thus far they have
not been down five hours in the aggre-
gate, and they show no disposition to
make thorough inquiry. 1t is impos-
sible to learn the truth fully regard
ing the purpose of the Spanish court of
inquiry, and it is generally believed
that the divers were sent down for
forms sake only, and that report will
be made in accordance with instruc-
lions from Madrid 1t may be that the
Spanish divers have discovered that the
whole port side of the Maine forward is
gone and, having so reported, further
examination is deemed unnecessary.
The work of our own divers hencefor-
ward is bound to be slow, owing to
ponderous weights to be moved, and The
safety clamps, nuts and rivets that must
be cut.
Henri Lame, the correspondent of a
New York paper and an alleged French
subject, has been arrested and impris-
oned in Cabanas fortress. A Cuban
newspaper man named Pardo was
taken into custody at the same time
Laine was formerly imprisoned upon
charge of active completely with the in
surgents. In addition to Laine, the
American correspondent. Vicente Pardo
Suareb, editor of La Republica, and IL
others have been arrested, making 10 in
all. 1t is officially stated, from Amer
lean sources, that two or more Ameri-
can correspondents will be required to
return to the United States Wednesday.
The prisoners are charged with con-
spiracy.
Key West, Fla, March THE Ameri-
can colony in Havana is in feverish
state of excitement. Rumors that prep
arations for war are being made by the
United States have reached the city
and have caused great CONSERVATION.
Thirty-eight warships will be at Key
West and vicinity within the next 80
days.
Havana, March T. The Spanish first
class cruiser Almirante Oquendo arrived
in Havana harbor at S:45 o'clock Satur-
day morning from Spain. She received
a hearty welcome from the ferry boats
and tugs, on board of which were the
civil and military authorities and diff
ferent societies which had been wait
ing for the warship's arrival, The docks
were crowded with sightseers, rockets
were sent up and flags and other deco
rations were displayed from the vessels
in port, the public buildings and the
palaces.
Rome, March Premier Rudini, of
Italy, said Saturday that his country
would remain neutral in case of war
between the United States and Spain.
The people would rise in protest if
the government took sides with Spain.
Moreover, not single ship that floats
the flag of Italy would be placed at the
disposal of Spain.
Philadelphia, March Another Sun
day has witnessed great activity in the
League Island navy yard, where old
monitors and men-of-war are fast be-
ing put in trim for active service in case
they should be needed.