THE SPANISH-AMERICAN WAR. 200 cannon powder, only completing the destruction thus begun ? The New York Herald, which obtained the information,declared that it came neither from Powelson nor from any officer 01 the Court— all were observing their pledge of secrecy. The news was probably obtainedfrom one of the numerous workmen engaged in the', wrecking operations. Unlike some previous reports, it was true, though at first it was officially discountenanced, the public being coast fortifications,and began putting the guns in order and mounting new ones. Admiral Sicard's squadron at Key West was reinforced, and the War and Navy Departments were busy with estimates for fresh and unexpect penditure. Seamen were enlisted for the navy, and the military authoritieswerebusyorganising two new regiments of garrison gunners for the coast defences. Officers who were abroad on leave were warned to return at once to the PLAN OF HAVANA HARBOUR.

remindedthatnothing could certainlybe known till the report of the Court of Enquiry was laid before Congress by the President. So for some time the story remained as an unconfirmed rumour, but it was a rumour persistently circulated, and with so many confirmatory details, that soon it received general credence.

United States, and the Government printing department at Washington wasl)usy multiplying large-scale maps of Cuba. As the press, and especially those papers that had from the first declared for war, noted these signs of pn tion for possible hostilities, there were official explanations always ready— explanations I to reassure the public and lead them to h that only the usual work was being done to keep the army and navy up to its required standard of efficiency. But all the -. clear that, even if the Government hoped to avoid a conflict, something had come to its knowledge that made it foresee the possibility of a warlike outcome of the situation.

But in the last days of February, though as yet nothing official was published, it became evident that serious developments were in progress at Havana. In American dockyards ami gun factories men began to work da] night, pushing forward contracts and orders for the Government, Small detachments of artillerymen were moved to long-neglected