The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1898-05-24

Madrid, May %, 10 a. m.-An official
dispatch from Captain General Blanco
says some American warshps shelled
the forts guarding the water approach
TO Nuevitas, province Of Puerto Prin-
cipe on Thursday night last
SenOr Leon Castillo, the Spanish
ambassador to France who was re-
Gently offered the portfolio Of minis
ter for foreign affairs had a long con-
ference today with the premier, Senior
Sagasta. Absolute retcence is OBJ
served as to the matters discussed.
p. NIT is reported that Senior
Leon Castillo will return to his post
at Paris.
Senior Capdepon, minister of the in
terror has denied in the course of an
interview, that the change in the con-
Sutution of the ministry would involve
any alteration in the foreign policy of
Spain, all the new ministers being in
faVor of prosecuting the war with the
utmost energy to the end. SPAIN
said Senior Capdepon, went perilouslv
near sacrificing her honor in the in
terest OF peace, only making a stand
when further concessions would have
involved her disgrace and effacement
as nation. This She will never do,
and IN this resolve the new cabinet
entertains no illusions. 1t is aware
that weakness and poverty are op-
posed to strength and wealth, but
Spain is in the position of a duellist
bound to defend his honor against the
gross insults of more powerful an
tagonist, who, although he is con-
Vinced that the result is almost GER
Upf hn Of +
principle of nOblesSe Oblige. Spain pre-
fers possible defeat to a certain dis
grace. Ministers know that the moral
sympathies of the powers are with
Spain, and that, while hesitating to
undertake the responsibility for action
which might lead to greater war,
they may eventually intervene from
motives of self interest and public
pOlity in behalf of Spain.
MORE SPANISH WARSHIPS FOR
CUBA.
Gibraltar, May 22-An uncOnfirmed
Tumor is in circulation here that the
Spanish squadron at Cadiz is about to
sail for Cuban waters.
A Spanish battery of artillery ar
rived this AFTERNOON at San Rogue,
seven miles northeast of Gibraltar,
and has been placed in position.
TO ATTACK NORTH ATLANTIC
CITIES.
ST. Johns, N. F., May 22.-Captain
Strong, of the brigantine Energy
which arrived here today with a cargo
of salt from Cadiz, reports that when
he left CadiZ a fortnight ago, the
greatest activity prevailed in the naval
arsenal there. The two Hamburg
American liners, Columbia and Nor
MAMMA purchased to be used as aux
iliary cruisers and now named the
RapidO and the Patria, were being
rapidly armOred, and the warships
refitting in the harbor were loading
stores and ammunition. Captain
Strong is convinced that at the time
he was in 'Cadiz the Spanish govern
ment fully Tntended to send this fleet
to attack American coast cities on the
north Atlantic, preferably Boston. He
says the Spanish populace was bitterly
inf1amed against English and Ameri-
cans and that his crew dared not ven-
.ture ashore.
TRANQUILITY AMONG THE
FLEETS.
(COpyrighted by Associated -Press)
Key West, Fla, May 90, $50 y. M
The ira nquility of a tropical Sunday
has been undisJurbed by definite news
from any quarter. There are only one
or two ships in the harbOr, and they
are cOaling with all haste to get away
to join their fellows in an action which
all aTe convinced is only a matter Of
days, perhaps hostrs.
Speculation is still concentrated on
the whereabouts OF Admiral Cervera's S
squadron, the general opinion faver
4ng some point on the southern coast.
AS both sides of the island are now pa
1rolled by United States warsfips the
naval authorities viii not admit the
possibility of Cervera's escape without
the most desperate conflict in the his
tory of naval warfare.
Reports from Admiral SIMPSONS
squadron say that all is quiet off the
northern coast of Cuba. Nothing from
Commodore Schley is expected before
Monday or Tuesday A rumor reached
here that four American Warships,
while bombarding Santiago de Cuba,
had been driven off by the Spanish
fleet, but the stcry is general discred-
tied. Where it came from is mys-
terry.
RESULTS OF BOMBARDMENT OF
cARDENAS.
Senior Ernesto Castro. a we'll known
lawyer, and president of the revolu-
tionary junta Of CaSdenas, arrived
here today on the United States gun
boat Annapolis. During the recent
bombardment at Cardenas Senior cas-
tro was an the bay in a small Doat, Try
ing 10 reach the American vessels and
get transportation to the Unlted
States on an important mission. he
Nwas compelled to return to the shore,
khere he saw and heard OF the results
TNI1 Cw<n nxntd