The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-05-03
HAD AGENTS OF THE JUNTA.
SEVERAL OF THEM AMONG THE
LUCILENE'S PASSENGERS.

when They Heard the Spanish
Squadron Was Not Coming at Once
IN Their Rescue-Havana quite
short of supplies, and VIII Soon
Reach Her Extremity-One OF the
IuciIene's Passengers Carrying
Nineteen Boxes OF Gotd-They Did
Not want to Go North on the chat
tahOOchee.
The British steamship Lucilene, Capt
A Tucker. with her III Cuban and Span
ish refugees, after securing coal and sup
plies at Venus Point. sailed for Philadei-
phia shortly before O'Clock yesterday af-
ternoon and as she went down the river
a dozen American flags were waved above
her deck by the enthusiastic foreigners
or board, while there were cheers for The
United states and shouts Of %Cuba Libre."
There were some interesting personages
among the passengers. There were on
board two colonies of volunteers, officers
who would have been called into the Span
fish service with their regiments had they
remained on the island. 1t appears, how
ever, that they are sympathizers with the
Cubans and took this chance of escaping
service. The passengers aboard who speak
English refused to give the names OF these
coloneIs. as they thought it would not be
advisable. Another colonel of volunteers
was preparing to leave Havana on a
steamer that sailed just before the Lucil-
enc, but he was caught before he got away
and the chances are that there was a cour;
martial with serious results.
1t was stated that five or six members
of the Cuban junta who have been its
agents on the island, were among the pas
sengers. Senior Francisco Dumas. who
handled the English language without any
difficulty, spoke of these also, but de-
clined to give their names. They have i'm
portant papers and information regarding
the Spanish fortifcations, and the situa-
ton generally. which will be placed in the
hands of the government on their arrival
In Washington.
A representative of the Morning News
went down to Venus Point with Capt F.
G. Strachan on the tug H. NJ. c. Smith
Capt Strachan carried a lot OF supplies
down for members of the party, includ-
ing eatables and drinkables of all sorts.
Some OF the passengers seemed to think
il well to fortify themselves against hun
ger and thirst in addition to the prepara-
tions made by the steamship for them
From the deck of the tug a conversation
was had with Senior Dumas, near whom
stood Senior Adolfo Cabello, a prominent
lawyer of Havana. but who did not speak
English. Senior Cabello did most of the
talking while StnoH Dumas translated it
for him.
1T Is not advisable" Senior Dumas said.
ito give the names of the agents of the
junta on board. They are carrying impor-
tant information 10 the junta In New York,
and also information which will go to the
United States government regarding the
situation in the island They are among
those who wanted to go ashore here SO as
10 get North as quickly as possible. There
are some few Spaniards among US, but
were all Cuban sympa thizers, and we
thought they should have been given that
opportunity. l understand. however, that
your quarantine laws forbid it,"
Senior Cabello then began speaking and
talked for some minutes to Senior Dumas
who gave this account of his conversation:
The blockade of Havana began on Fri
day about o'clock. When 1t first became
known In Havana, all the soldiers there
about 10000 In number, as well as the vol
unteers were summoned quickly to their
quarters TO be held in readiness. There
was great excitement. but also great en-
thusiasm among the Spaniards who
thought that the Spanish squadron would
be sent over at once to assist in breaking
the blockade. When 1t was learned that
the squadron would not come the enthu-
Eiasm changed to disappointment and al
most cons formation. We thought it was
about time for us to get away and accord
tngly looked around TO make our arrange
ments 10 do so. This was our only chance,
and though we are short of accommoda-
tions we took IT,
"Blanco is a determined man." Senior
Cabeilo said land he is going to fight
with all his might. Besides the soldiers
In Havana. there are many others on the
island, and with the volunteers he can
get an army of about 10000. If the block
ade continues for maby days the people in
Havana will have no means TO get suffi-
Gent food supplies and that is one thing
they cannot ger along without The block
ade will be found much easier by land
than by sea. think the insurgents them
selves can prevent the railroads taking
things into Havana which may be landed
at other points. SO il Is PROBABLE that il
will be only a matter of few weeks be-
fore Havana is al her extremity"
There are about sixty men in the party
on the Lucilene, and fifty-two women and
children. Capt, Tucker has made them
all as comfortable as possible, but at besl
the accommodations for such a crowd or
board a common tank freight ship are
very poor. With passengers and crew
there are $50 people aboard with accom-
modations for only about thirty-five OF
forty. Portions OF the deck are covered
over with awnings made of sails, and
everybody is making the most of a difn
cult proposition.
one of the millionaires on board Is carry
Ing with him nineteen boxes of gold COR
and bullion. SO anxious was he to ge
away when the blockade began that h,
went TO the agent OF the Munson Line, il
Havana, and offered 10 buy the Lucilen
outright, but she was not for sale II,
was, however, taken as a passenger, witt
several members of his family.
I wish YOU would say" said Senior Du
mas, translating from Senior Cabello, "tha
we are very thankful to the American
press for what il has done in favor of gu
cause. We believe that Cuba will be free
and when it is that result will be due il
a large measure 10 the work of the Amer
lean press"
Some of those on board have member
-