The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1898-03-18

6E.&S-HREY, Baltimore, Nd. E&
ton. Information in possession Of the
government is TO the effect that UP to
this time Spain has not consummated
the purchase of the Gillian warship
O'Higgins. The indications, it is
stated, seem to be that this ship will
be added ultimately to h United
States navy.
NOT AFRATD.OF EUROPEAN CON
CERT.
| Not much concern is expressed by Of
| ficers Of the administration over the re-
( ported intention of European govern
ments, at the instigation of Austria,
to intervene between the United States
| and Spain in the settlement of the
questions pending between them. So
far, it can be stated that this has TAX
en- no official shape, or, at least, no
indications of such a design has
reached the state department. What
the attitude OF u government would
be if representations in that line We're
addressed to it by the European powers
is a question that the officials do not
care to answer in anticipation.
A good deal Of encouragement was
created at the navy department today
by the report from the capitol that a
majority of IN naval affairs commit
tee is disposed to substitute six bat
tleships for the three provided for in
the pending naval appropriation bill.
This umJbe is supposed to represent
about the normal working capacity of
the three ship building concerns in
this country that are able at present
to undertake the construction Of bat
tleships.
CONTRACTS TO TRANSPORT AR
TTLLERYMEN.
The Notifications board began it's
session today in the war department.
The proceedings are guarded ZealOusly
against publication. Bids were opened
in the quartermaster's office of the war
department today for transporting
some of the artillery batteries that are
to man the fertilization works recently
completed.
VIEWS OF SPANISH CABINET.
"A statement, which is believed to
reflect correctly the sentiment of the
Spanish cabinet in the present emer-
gency, was made today 10y a gentle
man intimately associated with Prem
Ter Sagasta, and Senior Moret, minister
of the colonies in the Spanish cabinet.
1t is not desired to give it the form of
an official utterance, but rather an
EXPOSITION from one WnOSe OppOrUun1-
ties for information are complete ON
the views animating the ruling authori-
ties of Spain. The statement is as
follows:
The elections in Cuba are about ito
occur and the government desires them
to be as free as possible. Naturally,
however, the insurrection will prevent
many from voting, and it is felt also
that renewed insurgent activity com
ing AT such a moment might jeopar-
die the successful working out of the
autonomist plan. Moreover, the atti-
tude of the United States in having a
squadron so near Cuba, and the active
war preparations in the United State;
are of a nature that may exert an in
fluence against a fair expression Ot
public will under the autonOmist plan
1t is thought that if the United States
were sincere in it's expressions OF
friendship to Spain even if it though
hat autonomy could not meet every
expectation, she should by friendly
acts, and not words, show this sym
pathy with the liberal regime inau
guratad in Cuba. IF the Washington
government made known indirectly tt
the insurgents that it meant t.
have peace in Cuba and tina
peace meant an ~autonon1lc gov
under Spain, the insur
rection would certainly die out. I
later the Weyler party wanted to in.
~terfere it would then be time for the
| United States to take action. That &C.
tion would Zoe justifiajble: Now, tC
make war on Spain would be a crime
and for that crime to civilization anC
humanity the United States would Dt
responsible"
The foregoing statement was called
to the attention Of Senior Polo y Der
naibe, the Spanish minister, and his
views on it requested, but he main
tanned diplomatic reserve. After read
ing it carefully he said it appeared tx
be given by one thoroughly conversan
with the situation.
SPANISH MINISTER AT STATE DE.
PARTMENT.
This afternoon the Spanish minister
called at the state department and haC
a two hours conference with Assist
ant Secretary Day. 1t was the frs
CALL of Senior Polo for purely bushes:
purposes, the former calls having beef
those of ceremony. The minister cam
away looking highly gratified. but HI
asked to be excused from discussing
the purposes of his call. There is little
doubt, however, that it permitted {
full exchange on the present
THE SPANISH SQUADRON.
Madrid. March 15.-The Spanish tor
pedo f~iCtilla, which sailed from Cadil
on Sunday last, ~ostensibly for Porte
Rico, will only call there for provis-
ions, etc, and will afterward leave fol
Havana A second Spanish flOtilla will
soon start for Cuban waters and viii
probably be stationed at Porto Rico.
The friends of Senior Sagasta, TIT
Spanish premier, deny that Senior j
NJ. Ceballos, the genarl agent at New
York of the Spanish Transatlantic
Steamship Company, has visited Pres
ident Mckinley at the inspiration o
the Spanish government.
SOBRAL AGAIN TO THE FRONT.
Lieutenant Commander Sobral. tn,
former naval attachee of the Spanish
legation at Washington, in an inter
view at Barcelona on his arrival there
is quoted as saying he is convinced
President Mckinley, who is a cOrrec
president, and the government Of TIL