New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-05-18
NEWS BUDGET FROM HAVANA.
A COLLECTION OF LIKELY AND UN-
LIKELY STORIES.
THE IMPRISONED CoRREsPoNDENTs-FRE
HALsTEAD's sENTENCE-THE COLONIAL

HALSTEAD's sENTENCE-THE COLONIAL
COUNCIL APPOINTED.
Copyright; 1903; The Associated Press)
Havana May 17.-Inquires made at the Pal
ace here show that Captain General Blanco was
unwilling TO receive Lieutenant Brainard. u. s..
~, the special agent OF the Government OF the
United States in the matter OF the proposal to
exchange Spanish prisoners for the two news
paper men. Thrall and Jones. because the Gen.
eral considered the lieutenant was not en-
powered with sufficient authority. Therefore
nc simply accepted the documents presented by
the lieutenant and consulted with the Spanish
Government on the subject. The answer from
Madrid has not yet been received
on Sunday morning. the day the representa-
tive of the United States Government arrived Off
this harbor on a small steamer bearing flag OF
truce there were five American vessels in sight
Of Havana and four OF them were in sight the
same afternoon In addition, vessel. supposed
to be Norwegian frigate. in the ofting.
Yesterday morning there we're five American
vessels in sght
FRENCH REFUGEES
The French cruiser Dubourdieu left Havana
yesterday afternoon for Hayti. having on board
a number Of French refugees.
News Just received here from Porto Rico con-
| firms the report that Freeman Halstead. the
American newspaper correspondence has been
sentenced by military court at San Juan de
Porto Rico to nine years imprisonment. after
having been convicted of taking pictures OF the
forts with the use OF a camera.
All sorts OF war rumors In circulation here
from Spanish sources. Among them It Is said
that a number Of Americans in boat recently
tried to remove some torpedoes at the entrance
OF Cardenas Bay whereupon one Of the tor
pedoes exploded. and the boat. with its crew. Is
alleged to have been blown up. The report,
however. is not officially confirmed.
Another report has 1t that documents taken
from the American correspondents confined In
the Cabanas fortress in the possession OF
Captain-Genera Blanco. Their money is said
to have been deposited at the British Consulate.
Still another report says the woman and child
killed during the bombardment OF Cardenas by
American vessels were the wife and daughter
OF one Of the pilots on the American ships.
The Spaniards say an American force attempt
ed to make landing on May IL at Tabla Aqua
Beach. and that after two hours firing the
Americans retired.
Three American warships reported of
Mariel Sunday. three were sighted of Car
denas and there we're some American ships off
Cicnfuegos.
FIGHTING At CHrMBORAzO.
II is announced at the Palace that a Spanish
force was engaged at Chimborazo, Province Of
Havana. last Saturday. with combined force
OF insurgents under the leadership OF Maya,
Acca. Colazo and Jaclnto Hernandez The whole
insurgent force Is said to have numbered eight
hundred men, and IT is alleged that the enemy
lost eleven men killed. The Spanish loss is OFF,
cally represented as being two eutenants and
three soldiers wounded
The French third class cruiser d'Estaing is
expected here shortly.
The Norwegian steamer Bratsborg arrived on
Sunday at sagua la Grande. and Will leave there
on May Is with passengers for New-York
Captain-Genrral Blanco yesterday definitely
appointed the Secretaries ot the Colonial Coun-
Gil. who have been reelected. They are:
Presideu, Of the Councils GALyEz
Secretary - Finsnce-Senor MONTERO.
Secretary Of Jusiice-SehOr GOWN.
Secretary Of Public Works and Communications
Secretary OF Conmerce-Senor RODRIGUEZ
Secretary OF Public Tnstruction-Senor ZAYAS.
There are seven American warships In sight
OF Havana this afternoon. and rumor has It that
the Spanish feet is making for important
part OF the United States
THE PORTO RICO COMMANDMENT
The Captain General Of Porto Rico has cabled
10 Captain General Blanco saying that al
though the bombardment Of San Juan de Porto
RICO TOOK place NJ riNe-shOt distance not gun
OF the forts silenced. and the Spanish losses
only eighteen men wounded among the
troops composing the garrison. and a few per-
sons wounded among the civil population. The
Captain General Of Porto Rico further reports
that the United States warships the Indiana the /
New-York. the Montgomery and the Amphltrlte !
In sight OF Porto Rico last Saturday
HALSTEAD GETS NINE-YEAR SENTENCE /
Ottawa, Ont. May 17.-Slr Louis Davies MIN /
lister Of Marine. in response 10 a telegram max |
ing Inquiries about Freeman Halstead. the Ca
madam newspaper man reported to have been !
arrested ard shot by Spaniards at san Juan. |
has received the following despatch from tho !
British Consul at San Juan:
Haistcad arrested for photographing new |
forts; tried by court martial; sentenced to nine |
years Imprisonment.
The Secretary of State Is inquirng into the !
circumstances surrounding the arrest OF Hal |
stead. Halstead is British subject and the |
Canadian Government VIII doubtless demand |
his release through the imperial authorities
ANOTHER ROMANCE BY BLANCO
Madrid May IA dispatch received here
to-day from Havana says tina, a small naval
boat. having n of seventeen men has been |
blown up of Cardenas while engaged in remov-
ing torpedoos from that harbor The dispatch |
adds that a torpedo exploded through the negli- |
gonce OF those engaged in the work and that |
all the crew % the boat referred 10 persisted !
The dispatch does not indicate whether the boat
Was an American or Spanish craft.
II y. m.-An official dispatch from Havana |
confirms the report of the blowing up OF an |
American vessel of Cardenas and the Killing OF |
eighteen on board.
Key West. Fla. May 11.-Boats which have |
Just arrived here from the blockade fleet say
they have no know Wedge ~ any craft having
been blown up on Cardcnas or elsewhere The
opinion is expressed that the Spanish report
probably originated In the Wilmington sinking
a Spanish schooner dorelict loaded with old iron