Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1898-04-26
SIX SPANISH MERCHANT YES.
Sells CAPTURED.
BLocKADED AND SPAN
ISH GUNS OPEN ON THE
AMERICAN FLEET.
LANDED IN cUBA.
WAR NOW DECLARED.
A eENERAL cALL FOR MILIrIA
co. 1 1sT w. VA. INF'Y UNDER
ARMS AND AWAITING
ORDERS.


ORDERS.
The u1timatum of the United States to
Spain, demanding the evacuation of
Cuba. was sent by President Mckinley to
Madrid Wednesday. The Spanish min
lister at Washington thereupon asked for
his passports and left for Canada, whilst
the American minister at Madrid was
given his passports and left for France.
The President Thursday morning was
notified by Minister Woodford that he
had been given his passports before he
had presented the ultimatum of the Unit
ed States.
The State Department was officially
notified that the representatives of France
and Austria would look after Spanish in.
terests in this country.
The United States fleet at Key West
proceeded on Friday to blockade the
harbor of Havana.
The first shots of the war were fired
about an hour after the fleet had left Key
West for Cuba. A Spanish merchant
steamship, which proved to be the Buena
Ventura, from Pascagoula, Miss, for
Rotterdam, Holland, was caught between
the flagship New York and the gunboat
Nashville, and after four shots her cap
tain surrendered. Ensign Magruder and
a prize crew took the vessel back to Key
West.
Patriotic enthusiasm prevails in Spain.
Thirty thousand of the reserves of 1897
have been called out. Admiral Berneio,
minister of marine, will probably resign
in order to lead squadron.
Havana's guns opened fire on the Uni
ted States feet late Friday night 1t is
reported that about ten shots were fred
but none of them did any damage. The
feet at that time was not more than five
miles from the Notifications, which posi-
ton was within easy range of the larger
guns.
The Havana cable to Key West has
been cut by the United States authorities.
Dispatches from Key West state that
the fleet of Captain Sampson has captured
five Spanish vessels-the steamships Cat
alma. Miguel Jover, Pedro and Buena
Ventura and the Havana schooner Ma
thilde.
Secretary Sherman says the insurgents
will be relied upon to do nearly all the
land fighting in Cuba at present. The
militia will be held in this country until
they are thoroughly accustomed to the
hardships of war.
A proclamation has been issued. calling
for I25, 900 volunteers to cooperate with
the regular army in compelling the evac-
uation of Cuba
1t is reported in London that the Span
iards have captured the American ship
Shenandoah, which left San Francisco
January 5, laden with grain and other
articles.
A crew from the torpedo boat Porter,
under Lieut.. John c. Fremont, landed
on the north coast of Cuba Sunday night
and returned yesterday morning. They
went in search of information and got
what they wanted. The party was not
attacked.
The blockade of Havana and other
ports in Cuba by the American fleet con-
tinues. Bombardment has notyet begun.
The Baltimore-built torpedo boat Foote
was the first vessel to be fired upon as a
result of the blockode of Matanzas har-
Dor. She was not struck.
The insurgents have appeared in force
within thirty miles of Havana.
President Mckinley sent a message to
Congress yesterday recommending the
adoption of joint resolution declaring
that state of war exists between the
United States and Spain. The House of
Representatives passed bill reported by
the foreign affairs committee without
discussion aud without dissenting vote.
The Senate adopted the same declare
ton after debate. The President signed
the bill.
TheWarDepartment yesterday notified
the Governors of the various States of
their quotas of volunteers for each branch
of the military service.
The services of the battalion of cadets
at the Virginia Military Institute have
been offered to Governor Tyler in assist
ing the organization and drilling of the
Virginia troops. Students of the Uni
versity of West Virginia have formed a
battalion and offered their services to
Governor Atkinson.
Co. 1 1st w. Va. Infantry, Capt. ]. NJ.
Pyne, has been under arms since yester-
day morning, awaiting orders to move.
Hon. William L. Wilson. president of
and Lee University. has ac-
cepted aninvitation to deliver a series
of lectures at Yale University on political
government.