The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1898-05-06

DISSATISFACTION AT MARTIAL
LAW.
Madrid May 3-The proclamation
OF martial law has caused much dis
satisfaction, it being declared unnec-
essary, unless the government has in
formation of a secret conspiracy. Sun
days demonstration was trivial. even
compared with the trifiing disturbances
upon the occasion Of the proclamation
OF the Cuban armistice. The news
papers are particularly discontented
with the state of affairs existing, as the
mere mention of military operations is
punishable severely. Groups of people
which gather around the spots where
the martial law proclamation is posted
promptly disperse, laughing when they
read the article prohibiting public gath
erings.
WEYLER CR1TICISES THE Gov
ERNUMENT.
An article written by General View
Ter has appeared in a newspaper at
Palma, capital Of the island of Marjor-
ca, where the general was born and
where his home is situated. The gen
eral says that If the government had
been prepared, Spain would now be
covered with glory. Continuing, Gen
eral Weyler asserts that the 'tSpanish
line to the yankees, whose lack of dis
cipline was manifested in. the loss of
the Maine. He then accuses the Span
1sh government of weakness, and con-
cludes with making pessimistic predic-
tions> regarding the future.
In the congress today a resolution
of homage" in honor or those killed in
the naval engagement off Cavite was
adopted unanimously. The message
from the queen regent was then adopt
ed, the republicans, carlists and con-
servatives voting in the negative.
The official account Of Captain Gen
eral Augustus communication as to the
offer of the British consul at Manila
to place all Chinese subjects i'm the
Philippines under the protection of the
British flag says: captain General
August wires that the British consul
called upon him to say that he would
take the Chinese in the Philippine un-
der the British flag in order to safe
guard their lives and property. The
captain general added that a number
of rich and influential Chinese at Ma
Mia had assured him that they were
satisfied with the protection of Spain.
Seror MOret secretary of the colonies
replied TO Captain General August
that there was no reason to accept
the protectOrate which the British con-
sui wished to exercise. The British
communicated
to the powers.
The government apparently sees
some deep laid machination on the part
of Great Britain, for the official says:
This news caused surprise, although
people are accUs toned to the methods
of those who direct British interests.
The question is asked: What can
be the object of the British request?
China is not in a position to except
this or any other protectorate; but
they take it upon themselves to be
protectors of the CELESTIAL empire
against French Russian and German
ambitions, with a view undoubtedly
to acquiring new title by the protec-
ton of Chinese in the Phil
ippines. The Spanish govern
ment cannot accept the role offered it
and rejects the proposition at the
same time informing the powers who
are not disposed to allow Great Brit
ian to protect China that they have
squadrons in the far east themselves
for that purpose.
London, May A special dispatch
from Madrid says: The situation is
causing the Spanish government al
most as much uneasiness as the exter-
nal. The demonstrators Monday night
openly showed revolutionary tenden-
cies, cheering Weyler and demanding
Sagasta'S resignation.
A special from Madrid says a cabi-
net crisis is imminent. Probably it
will end in a considerable modification
of the present government. Possibly
it will lead to the formation Of a ma
tional ministry under the presidency
of CampoS. Parliament is certain to
be closed soon.
London, May 3.-Inquiries made at
the offices of the Eastern Telegraph
Company show it has been impossible
for any word to have come from Ma
Mia since 10 o'clock yesterday morn
ing, London time, when the cable was
cut The officials of the company say,
that according to their tests from Hong
Kong, the cable was cut fifty miles
from Manila. They think week or
even a fortnight may elapse before it
can be repaired.
A special from Madrid says that dur
ing the demonstrations Monday night
prevented from joining the mob by
says also that many officers mingled
with the mob, inciting it to an attack
upon the residences of the ministers.
THE MADRID RABBLE.
London, May 4.-The Madrid corre-
spondent of The Daily Mail telegraph
f,g Tuesday says: There is no longer
aiy doubt that the internal situation
is causing the government almost as
mucI, uneasiness as the external. Last
nights demonstration was one of the
most serious in some time, since those
openly part iicipating showed their revo-
lutiorary tendencies. Cries were rails