The San Juan islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1898-1914, 1898-05-05
LATER NEWS.

The treasury department has ordered
the Saturna, Spanish vessel seized in
Biloxi harbor, released.
The committee On military affairs
has favorably reported the administra-
ton bill suspending important laws
governing the quartermaster' depart
ment in the army.
The emergency war measure was
passed in the house on the 28th by
unanimous consent. It repeats the
limitations upon the purchase of quar-
termaster's supplies during the existing
war with Spain.
Reports that Spanish squadron has
sailed toward the coast of the United
States have nothing to confirm them,
and the reports seem to have been sent
cut from Spain to confuse the United
States naval authorities.
The Spanish government officials are
bewildered at the attitude of Great
Britain. They believe the government
and people of Great Britain hold
divergent opinions, and that the official
acts of Great Britain are due to secret
compact with the United States.
Minister Clayton communicated to
the foreign department. of the govern
ment at Mexico the resolution of the
American congress declaring war with
Spain. Minister Mariscal, of the for
. eign department, replied, assuring the
American minister on the authority of
President Diaz, that Mexico will MAIN
tain the strictest neutrality.
The government of Portugal has pro-
hibited the dispatch of public tele-
graphic information regarding the
movements of Spanish warships in the
harbors of that country and it's colonies.
This action on the part of Portugal has
caused sensation and is interpreted
as being proof positive that that gov
eminent proposes doing all Units power
to aid Spain in the present struggle.
Oriental advices received by steamer
in Vancouver, B. c., tell of a shocking
massacre which occurred near Taipoh,
China, at the house of one Yang Kin
shang. A party of over 20 robbers
entered the house and murdered Yang,
his wife, his mother and children and
servants, Is persons in all, who resist
ed them in their attempt to loot the
house and attack the daughters. When
the raiders had butchered all the in
mates they set the house on fire.
The large packing houses of the At
lantic Powder Company, near Dover.
N. j., containing high explosives for
the United States government were
blown up and two men are known to
have been killed. Several are missing
and number were injured. The ex-
plosion is believed to have been the
work of Spanish spies. Suspicious
characters had been seen around the
buildings for several days.
The large Spanish steamer Guido,
bound from Corunna for Havana with
large cargo of provisions and money
for the Spanish troops, was captured by
the United States monitor Terror. The
capture. took place 10 miles off Car
denas, after desperate chase, during
which the monitor Terror and the gum
boat Machias fired several shots, almost
blowing the Spaniard's pilot house into
the water. One man in the pilot house
was seriously injured. It is estimated
that with her cargo she is worth nearly
$500, 900.
Eleven people were killed by an ex-
plosion at the Santa Cruz, Call, powder
works.
In storm off the Atlantic coast an
unknown vessel was wrecked. An
other vessel was reported signalling for
help.
The monitor Terror captured the
Spanish coasting steamer Ambrosio
Bolivar with sec, 900 in silver on board,
off the Cuban coast.
Troops are soon to be landed in
Cuba. The plan is to establish base
of operations, open communication with
Gomez and feed the reconcentrados.
Dispatches from .Matanzas say an
American torpedo-boat destroyer has
twice entered the port of Matanzas.
The second time six shots were fred at
her and she retired.
The harbor of San Juan is being
placed in q state of defense by the
Spaniards. A new battery is set up at
the east of San Cristobal castle and
submarine explosives have been thickly
planted at the harbor entrance.
Secretary Long has announced his in.
tention of purchasing the Holland SUBJ
marine torpedo-b boat, on Assistant Sec
eretary Roosevelt's recommendation.
His proposition is to utilize the boat in
blowing up Moro castle.
Secretary Long declares Havana will
not be bombarded until serious danger
from attack by the Spanish feet il
eliminated. He says the United States
cannot afford to risk the loss OF war.
ship until the armadas are destroyed OF
are no longer menace to be greatly
| feared.
The three days. debate on the wal
revenue bill began in the house
Wednesday. Dingley opened the de-
t bate and was followed by Bailey. who
opposed the measure and proposed to
substitute for it taxes on incomes and
bank deposits and coinage of silver
aeigniorage.
General Miles and the Cuban repre-
sentatives held an important confer
ence in Washington, D. g.. and went
over the plans Of operation. It is I'M
derstood that the insurgents will be
fully equipped by the United States,
and will move on Havana. cooperating
with our feet.
A. Roubaix. one 81 the socialist