The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1898-04-05

the condition and of our navy
IN the vicinity of Havana, and Captain
S1gsbee was questioned as TO his opin-
ion and knowledge of the Maine catas-
trOphe. His story WaS not materially
different from this detailed to the naval
u of inquiry, but the fact that it
was given personally to the committee
and included personal deductions made
a visible impression upon the members.
Captain Sigsbee did not express a con-
ViCtiOn in so many words that the dis
aster was the result of treacnery on the
part of the Spanish, but after the com
mittee had concluded its hearing one of
it's members expressed his belief thai
the explosion was due TO that agency.
The purpose in taking the testimony of
these naval officers is to incorporate
their statements in a report tine COM
mIttee Will make in case it finds it nee
essaTy to report a resolution for inter
ventiOn. his report will be in the
nature of a statement to the country
justifying the position taken and it is
considered desirable to support this
with an array of pertinent facts which
will go far to convince the american
people and the civilized world of the
justice of the course taken.
When the report, WhiCh was ~ciTculat-
ed during the afternoon to the effect
that Spain had rejected the proposal
VI JlC oIlaICu 1LdkCS, wa ~ ISL ~
the attention of the committee, Sena-
tor Davis went 10 the senate chamber
and asked that there should he no ad-
journmant until Monday as had been
contemplated. This led to the surmise
that in case the report of Spain'S re-
fusal shOul be verified the committee
might bring in it's report tomorrow. It
was stated later, however, that the com
mittee had not changed its plans, and
that it would probably wait upon the
president at least until Monday if he
should desire.
There is no dcctbt that the commit
tee lis prepared to report very speedily
in case it should feel called Upon to
do so. There has been no poll of the
committee and no formulation of a
resolution, but there a been d very
general expression of views.
This expression has so far taken the
shape of recognition of independence
Of the CuGDans, together with a decla-
ration for intervention sufficient to
guarantee this independence and the
best opinion is that such a resolution
will be the ultimate RESULT of the COM
mittee's Elaboration if Spain insists
upon continuing the Cuban war and
holding the island.
THE RECONCENTRADO ORDER
RESCINDED.
Havana, March 31.-Captain General
BlancO has issued an important de-
cree, dated March Goth and published
this morning, in which he directs the
end of the Recommendation in the four
| western provinces-Pinar del Rio, Ha-
wanna, MatanZaS and Santa Clara. The
! preamble says that for the
tradOs who, being without resources or
Instruments with which to labor, re
main in the towns or centres previously
set apart for their use, tine colonial
| government Will with great Urgency
propose to THE governor general a plan
of relief. In this plan the mayors or
| alcaldes are expected to take part, eS-
tablislhing soup kitchens etc, and doing
all in their power to terminate the eX-
isting misery. Then follow five ayr
ticles, carrying out what is set forth
in the preamble.
Article l. After tGnC public alton OF
this order the recOncemtradCS n their
families will be allowed to return home
III the -four provinces given above.
Article 2. Orders all relief commit
tees and civil and military authorities
20 facilitate the workings Of the decree
and also to aid the commentaries i'm
selecting n securing new houses.
Article 3. Directs the colonial gov
eminent through it's secretaries and
miner officers to prepare to execute all
necessary orders to secure for the
country people work on public improve
ments and also give ood by econom
cal kitchens, to all the suffering, atten-
tom being called ON THE small country
estates.
Article 4. All the expenses owe ans
above THE funds now in the hands OF
the committees are to be provided fOl
under the head of am extraordinary wa
, credit.
Article 5. All former orders Oh re
concentration are ~abrOgated.
Washington, March 31.-The State DE-.
paTtment has received no official wCTG
as to The decree issued by Captain Gen
eral Blanco resembling the re~-JnceTrtra.
DO order in Santa Clara and tine either
rich provinces. 1t is regarded as al
extremely important, if not the mos
important development of a favorable
character thus far secured.
A DAY OF ANXIETY AT WASHING.
TON.
Washington, March 31.-This hai
been a day Of anxious waiting FOL
Spain's reply to the demands of TIL.
United States contemplating the ter
mination of the war in Cuba and T1h,
Independence OF the island. On tha
reply, it Was universally believed, tn,
issue between peace or war would b
decided, unless some new and mex
pected considerations arose to post
pone THE matter further. But deia.
would meet THE opposition of congress
The gravity Of the situation was fell
in all official quarters. 1t was not
day of rapid development. as when wa
preparations were following in rapi'
succession, but the tension was evel
greater from the uncertainty that pre-
vailed, and the feeling that Spain
would not concede the complete indie
pendence of Cuba.
The White house continued to b
thronged With congressional leaders
anxious to learn from the p-esiden
what his course was to be. The gen
eTal view conveyed by these leaders
after they had been with the presidan
was that he expected to have definit
replies from Spain in time TO presen
the entire subject to congress by mex