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

ports dock No. pumped dry last night
Test Of the structure is satisfactory.
The caisson joint leaks. but is easily
remedied." The department. places the
date of the final completion of the
dock at April 30ti. in view Of this re-
port.
AMBULANCE SHIPS.
Surgeon General Van Reypen, of the
navy returned today from Newport
News where he went to examine into
the practicability of converting the
Plant Line steamer Grand Duchess in
to an ambulance CIR hospital ship for
use of the navy in the event of hos
tilities with Spain. This steamer,
which General Van Reypen says is
large, roorny and airy, formerly piled
between New York and Savannah, but
was laid up because of the disarrange-
ment of her boilers. SO far as accom-
mOdatiOnS are concerned the vessel af-
tersom necessary work mould make an
admirable ambulance ship, but the lack
of boilers which it would take months
to replace, limits her adaptability for
use at the present time. The surgeon
general has in view several ether ships
which, with but a limited expenditure
of money, could be changed into arnjbu-
lance ships, but he will be compelled
to await the report of the special board
which is examining into the question
of auxiliary cruisers before taking any
action.
CONTRACTS FOR MORE SHOT
SHELL.
The war department is making ready
for another big contract looking to the
procurement of a lot of shot and shell.
An advertisement has just been ISSUED
Calling for east iron p1'ojectiles for
sea coast cannon The bids are made
returnajble next Monday a o'clock at
the ordnance office, war department.
The shot and shell are of the heavy
description, 1877 10-inch solid shot, $40
Pinch mortar shells, weighing 800
pounds each, and 500 12-inch mortar
shells being wanted. The projectiles are
entirely different from the $1,000
900 worth ordered yesterday. Those
were wrought steel shot and
shell known as armor piercers and in
tended for attack upon battleships,
monitors and s:-ch armored vessels.
Those called for now are for use either
against lightly ar1nored or unarmored
ships or else for deck piercers,'' being
fired from mOrtars with plunging fire
into the deck of vessels lying out at
sea. Being of cast metal these pro-
jectiles, it is expected, will be much
cheaper than the aT1nor piercers AL
ready ordered.
The equipment bureau of the navy
department. has prepared itself for the
equipment at very short notice of any
vessel of the auxiliary navy that may
be acquired with the most approved
signaling service. Considering the
competition offered by the navy and
marine corps in the enlistment of re-
cruits, the war department feels that
it is doing very well in securing men
for the artillery regiments. The ad
jutant generals report today was that
220 men has been sect red. This is at
the rate of 800 per mo, ltLn and about as
fast aus the men can be properly taken
care Of.
WANTS TO INVADE CUBA.
Adjutant General Corbn yesterday
received a military visitor who said he
was fresh from the battlefields of Cuba
and desired to arrange with him for the
immediate inVeStment of the port OF
Havana. He was dressed in a nili-
tary uniform of green cloth and said
he was ready to take the field at once.
He gave his name as Lieutenant Col
Onel Jorge A. Rivera y MOnez, Fourth
army corps, Cuban army, and said he
had come from General Mayria Rod
riguazs second in command. To use his
own words, he was just from the
field and had blood on his boots" and
he gave every indication of being earn
est and eager for the fray. What he
desired was al army of 5000 men from
the United States with which to begin
the invasion of Cuba and his plan was
to fire on MorrO Castle and sack the
city of Havana. General Corbin treat
ed him courteously and said he would
see him later about the army of invas-
ion.
NO TALK OF SALE OF CUBA.
Madrid, March 16.-A semi official
agency today published the following
announcement: 1T is useless to talk
of the sale of Cuba. The question could
not be arranged except by parliament
and it is impossible that any Spanish
chamber could agree to sell the island
at any price"
The financial press comments upon
the facility with which Spain has sup
ported the heavy financial burdens in
CURED on account of the instructions
in Cuba and the Philippine islands and
points out that although, since Senior
Sagasta has been premier, the coast of
the wars were exceeded 900, 900 pesa-
taS, the note circulation of the Bank of
Spain has only increased from 1,174,-
926, 800 to 1,259, 9,630.65O pesatas. Upon
his showing he press asserts that no
one doubts that if a fresh loan should
be required it could he raised as easily
as was the loan a year ago.
Ell HeraQdo, in a very concilatory,
article, supposed in official circles to be
inspired afteTpooh- Roohing the fiction
that Spain desires to provoke a war
says. IF the United States really
wishes peace and Spain is resolved to
maintain it, let each go half way, and
| the pacification of Cuba and the tram
quifity of Europe will be accom-
plished.'
Berlin, March 16.-Senor Sandoval,
the Spanish agent us negotiating for
| the purchase of a number of old and
| slow steamers of the North German
Lloyd steamship company.
| PRESIDENTS INQUIRY AS TO
NORTH CAROLINA TROOPS.
RALEIGH, n. c., MARCH 1S.-GOv-
| ERNOR RUSSELL TODAY RECEIV-
| ED "A MESSAGE FROM president
| M'K1NLEY ASKING HOW MANY