The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1898-04-22

provided that when the members OF
any company or regiment of the or
ganized militia shall enlist in the vol
unteer army in a body, as such COM
pany or regiment, the regimental and
company officers in service with the
militia organizations thus enlistins
may be appointed by the president,
subject to an examination as to fitness
and capacity to be officers of corre-
spending grades in the same organiZa-
tion when it is received in the service
as a part of the volunteer army.
The troops in time of war, whether
belonging to the regular or volunteer
army or to the militia, are to be or
ganized into divisions of three brigades
each brigade 10 be composed of three
or more regiments, and when three or
more divisions are assembled in the
same army the president is to organize
them into army corps, each corps to
consist Of not more than three divis-
ions. The president is to appoint in
the volunteer army not exceeding one
major general for each organized army
corps and division, and one brigadier
general for each brigade, to be selected
from the volunteer army. Senator
Hawley introduced the bill today.
SPANISH MINISTER TO DEPART
AS SOON AS THE PRESIDENT
SIGNS THE RESOLUTIONS
The Spanish minister, Senior Polo de
Bernabe, has made his final prepara-
tiOnS for departure, and is calmly
awaiting notification that the president
has affixed his signature to the
Cuban resolutions. at which time the
minister will take his leave. The en-
tire staff of the legation will accom-
pany the minister.
Early this morning, the large metal
sign, bearing the words office of the
Spanish legation" was wrenched from
it's place on the gate leading to the le-
cation, and carried off by vandals.
The minister made no complaint to the
state department or to the police, as he
has sought to minimize the petty dep
relations against the legation, although
this was the most fragrant one COM
mitted.
The various foreign embassies and
legations were intensely active today
in the expectation that hOstilities were
near at hand. T--a several foreign Oftl-
GERS were fully advised on the passage
of the resolutions and were kept posted
as to the prospects on the presidents S
signature. Some of the ministers and
ambassadors called at the state depart
ment to learn whether the president
would sign the resolutions. They were
informed by Judge Day that the presi-
dent intended to sign them. This in
turn was communicated to the foreign
offices, and was regarded as placing
the matter beyond any question OF
doubt The representatives of the pow
ers of Europe held no meeting during
the day. nor is any meeting at present
in prospect. Those who have been most
hopeful of bringing about European
coalition. now concede that such a
move is impossible.
TO ENFORCE NEUTRALITY.
Already, it is said, Great Britain has
taken steps, not only to maintain a
passive neutrality, but to enforce 1t
with arms if necessary. Two regiments
of British soldiers are now in the
British West Indies and these are
about to be augmented by another reg
iment en- route from Halifax. They
are concentrated in the belief that the
West Indies will be a center of conflict,
and that the stress of war may lead
one or the other bellgerent to occupy
neutral British territory.
Sc. far as is known the French gov
ernment will observe the same neutral
ity It's West Indian possessions are
considerable and it has several ships
in those waters. Germany and the
other powers are expected to take the
same neutral attitude. In connection
with the cable report that the dreibund
had sought to effect a plebiscite in Gu
ba, it was stated at one of the embas-
sizes that this branch of negotiations
occurred last week, and embraced some
circumstances not named in the cable
dispatches. About the middle of last
week one of the embassies here was
informed from it's foreign office that
it's ambassador at Madrid advised them
that Minister WoodfOrd had suggested
in a tentative way, plebiscite as a
possible solution to the Cuban problem.
This ambassador also advised his for
eign office that the suggestion did not
meet with favor, and had not been fol-
lowed up. Since then there has been
no talk of a plebiscite SO far as is
known here.
Applications are pouring into the war
and navy departments for the immedi-
ate protection of supposedly exposed
points on the Atlantic and gulf sea-
board. The two Florida senator's call
ed today upon Secretary Alger to
urge that protection be afforded to
some of their coast towns, such as Mi
ami, and that troops be stationed there
The officials say it is manifestly inn
possible to comply with these requests
and have no hesitation in declaring
that the apprehension among the people
of these towns is largely groundless.
SICARD OFFICIAL ADVISOR TO
THE SECRETARY.
Read admiral Sicard reported at the
navy department this morning and was
Immediately assigned a place at the
desk in the office Of the secretary OF
the navy to act as official advisor tC
the secretary. Nearly all naval Off
GERS on detached or shore duty have
put in applications to be restored i'm
mediately to sea service.
TO CALL FOR EIGHTY THOUSAND
TROOPS.
It was stated at the war department
this afternoon that only the national
guard will be given opportunity to vol.
unteer at this time. The presiden,
will reserve the right to appoint al
staff and field officers, while the cover.
nors of states will designate regimen
tai officers, as was done in 1861. 1t has
been practically decided that the frs,
call shall be for SO, 900 men.
PLAN FOR THE WAR.
L IN