The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1898-06-07

Washington, June 2.-It was plainly
noticeable at the navy department to-
day that the officials were expecting
news of the first importance, but that
they did not look for it Immediately.
The firmness with which they a in
sisted that Schley could have had no
general engagement with the Spanish
ships and forts at Santiago, as was re-
ported, appeared to be based on a full
knowledge OF the plans under which
the commodore is acting, and the great
est concession they would make toward
admitting that a fight had taken place
Tuesday was to say that possibly
Schley had detected some earthwOrks
going up and RACED them with his
shells. They were confident he made
no attempt to enter the har1bor.
1t is believed, now, however, with
Sampson in the field and in command
at Santiago with an augmented force,
that interesting events may be looked
for. These are expected too, notWith-
standing the fact that no troops have
yet started from Tampa, as was es-
tablished by inquiry at the war depart
ment this afternoon. The insurgents
are known to be in force in the neigh
h of Santiago, and Through Cap
tain DOrSt, the war department, not
only has been in communication with
them, but has supplied them fully with
good weapons and an abundance of
ammunition. The headquarters Of the
best of the Cuban generals, Garcia, are
distant from Santiago only seventy
Awe miles CO hat II 10 nAScih1o S9mnGnn
feels strong enough, with their support,
to begin the assault by sea upon the
doomed Spanish fleet and forts without
waiting the arrival of the United States
troops from Tampa.
The trend of the news hat came to
Washington from unofficial sources
during the afternoon all went to sup
port this belief so there is some ground
for the expectation of the officials that
important information may be expect
ed shortly.
SPATN'S PROTEST TO ENGLAND.
The Spanish government has made
a. protest to the British authorities
against the shipping of Canadian coal
from British North America to Sam
francisco for the relief of the ships OF
Admiral Dewey's fleet at Manila and
also against the shipping of coal from
Nova Scotia. to Atlantic ports for use
~ oulllCu oL"ISc
in the West ndies 1t is understood
that Spain's protest has not proved Of
avail. The subject was referred to the
Canadian authorities, who, upon inves-
tigation learned that the coal ship
ments from British North America and
from Nova Scotia, were in the ordinary
course of commercial transactions.
They were made by private parties in
Canada to private parties in the United
States. Whether the coal subsequently
passed into the hands OF the UnIted
States government, for use by the
American navy was held to be OUTSIDE
of the province of the British and Ca
madam authorities. 1t is probable that
amy direct sales to the navy depart
ment would be stopped, as these would
have been manifestly a breech or the
neutral attitude maintained by the
British government and it's colonial
possessions, including Canada.
THE PEACE QUESTION.
If the queen regent of Spain has in
structed Senior Castillo to ask the pow
ers to intervene for peace that move
ment has not yet taken any form in
Washington, either at the state depart
ment or at any of the foreign embas-
sizes. Among diplomatic officials, 1t is
Thought to be quite possible that Spain
is feeling her way toward securing
peace, but it is not believed this Will
meet any active assistance from the
great powers. 1t is known that Spain
mas counted most on arOusing the &C
tive interest of France, but it has been
unsuccessful. The French authorities
here have not heard of any negotia-
tions for many weeks past, indicating
that the authorities at Paris have not
taken up the proposition of n cas-
tillo for Intervention in behalf or peace.
THE IMMUNE REQUIREMEN rs.
Adjutant Corbin today made public
an order apportioning the territory in
which are to be raised the volunteer
regiments of infantry, popularity called
immune regiments, for which the colo
nels have been appointed. 1t was at
first announced that five of the regi-
ments were to be recruited from colored
persons. but it is now said that this
number has been reduced to four. The
territory apportioned is as oHows:
For the Third regiment, Colonel Ray,
the states of Georgia, South Carolina
and Florida, headquarters at Macon,
Georgia. .
For the Fourth regiment. Colonel
Petit, the states of Maryland, Vir-
ginia, West Virginia and the District
of Columbia, headquarters to he deslg-
mated hereafter.
The Fifth regiment, Colonel Sergeant,
the states of Alabama and Mississippi;
headquarters at Columbus, Miss.
For the Sixth regiment, Colonel Ty-
sen, the states Of Kentucky and Ten
nessee; headquarters Knoxville, Tenn.
For the Seventh regiment, Colonel
Goodwin, the states of Missouri and Ar
kansas and 50 much of Tennessee as
lies east of a due north and south line.
running through the city of Cincinnati,
Ohio; headquarters Memphis, Tenn.
For the Eighth regiment, Colonel
the state of Kentucky, all of
Tennessee not otherwise allotted, and
the Ohio valley; headquarters Louis
willie, KY.
For the Ninth regiment, Colonel Lee.
the states OF Virginia n North Car
plina, headquarters Raleigh, N. G.
' Zach mastering officer is also to act
az uuartermaster and commissary for
+ne purpose of subsisting the volunteers
fron1 the time of enrolment to the
dime OF rendezvous, and for their trans