The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1898-01-28

Spanish warsbips to Visit American
Ports.
Madrid, January 25.-The Impartial ex-
presses fear that the dispatch of the
United States battleship Maine to Ha-
vana will provoke a conflict, and adds:
Europe, cannot doubt Americas attitude
toward Spain, but the Spanish people, if
necessary, will do their duty with
honor
The Epoca asks if the dispatch Of the
Maine to Havana IS intended & / sop
to the jingoes," and adds: We lannot
suppose the American government so
naive or badly informed as to imagine
that the presence of American war yes
sells at Havana will be a cause of salts
faction to Spain or an indication of
friendship"
1t is announced that, following Wash
dngtOn's example," the Spanish govern
ment viii instruct Spanish warships to
visit a few American ports"
Admiral Chacon, the admiral of the
fleet, arrived here tonight and had a long
conference with Admiral Bermejo, the
minister of marine. He asserts that
the recent evolutions had demonstrated
the perfect condition of the fleet.
The next cabinet council will decide
which American ports the Spanish men
of-War are to visit.
The Spanish papers sharply stigmatize
the Maine incident as ar act of unwar-
Tanted p~rovocation." Mo. of them, how
'
show fOrbearance.
In official circles the tendency is TO ac-
cept the argument that the United States
is friendly and that it is needless to at
tach importance to the visit of an
American vessel to Havan
Havana, January 25.-The United States
D.. Sigsbee, which left Key West, Fla,
On january oath, arrived here at II
o1clock this morning and was saluted by
the forts and war vessels.
A report is current that the United
States consul general, Fitzhugth Lee, and
DR.. Congosto, secretary general of the
government, have had a Slight misunder-
standing.
After forwarding the bulletin referring
to the report in circulation of a slight
misunderstanding between General F1tz-
hugh Lee and DR.. Congosto. the CORE
Spondent of the Associated Press called
upon the United States consul general,
and was informed that nothing unpleas-
ant had happened at the interview which
took place between himself and Con-
gOStO, when rumOr habit that the mis-
understanding occurred.
NAVAL COURTESIES.
Shortly after the arrival here of the
Maine, Lieutenant Albert Medrano, rep
~resenting the captain of the port, Vice
Admiral Jose Pastos, visited the United
States batt4eShip and extended the GUS
tOmary courtesies. The arrival of the
W1arShip caused much surprise and ex-
cited considerable curiosity.
"A ITdVdI I1tuutlNdIDL Ol uUe Spanish
cruiser Alfonzo XIII, the Spanish flag
ship, visited the Maine early in the af-
~ternCon, as did also an officer of the
German cruiser GneisenaU, the school,
ship. Both visits were returned by Cap
tain Sigsbee, Wtho at 6 O'Clock called upon
Rear Admiral Vinente Manterola at the
admiralty office, and upon Vice Admiral
PastOs, after which he had a prolonged
conference with Consul General Lee.
The consul general VIII return Captain
Sigbee'S visit tomorrow afternoon. He is
arranging for a visit by Captain Sigsbee
to Acting Captain General Parade.
The officers and sailors of the Maine
will not go ashore at present, in order
to avoid possible friction, and the United
States squadron will remain at the Dry
TOrOugaS in the vicinity.
The Maine came to Havana to receive
orders from Consul General Lee and will
probably remain here for some time.
Captain SigSbee has expressed himself as
much gratifed by the reception tender
ed him and the courtesy and cordially
shown. The Maine bears a peaceful mis-
sion.
The American newspaper correspond
ents Will Civ a banquet to Captain Sigs-
bee, Consul General Lee and a number
of Spanish officers.
LATEST CABLEGRAMS FROM GEN
ERAL LEE.
Washington, january 25.-The cabinet
met at the usual hour today, but gave
only a short notice to the subject of the
Cuban situation, and that was confined
closely 10 expressions OIL Satisfaction Ill
the manner in which the American press
and people had received the news of the
administrations action in sending the
Maine to Havana. There was no news
from Consul General Lee Of latter date
than yesterday. Two cablegrams came
from him last night, but they were not OF
particular significance. 1t was said that
they were both in answer to questions
put previously by the state department
and it is presumed one at least had ref
erence to the reported presence of Ger
man ships in Havana harbor. The other
reported that he was able TO feed 2,0N
persons daily in the city. 1t was stated
positively that in neither cablegram was
there any request for Il WarShIp or rel
orence to the Names movements.
a message came to the navy depart.
ment this morning from Admiral Sicard
He announced that he had received anC
executed Secretary Longs order respect,
ing 1.-THE Maine, and that she would sal
at once. The order probably was receiv'
ed by the admiral about 10 o'clock las
might while OFF Tortugas lharbor and the
answer came back to Key West on The
torpedo boat Dupont, which carried ove1
the order.
A telegram from Consul General Lee
was received at the state department to
Cay at . O'Clock and was carried by AS
sistant Secretary Day over to the White
house for the of the presi
dent. In this telegram General Lee sait
tina the Maine had been received Will
every courtesy. The commanders of TIL
German and Spanish ships of war in TIL
harbor had called upon the commando
OF the Maine who had returned thei
calls, the Spanish forts had fired salute'
and all the ceremonies called for b.
saval etiquette had been observed. In aid
dition. the consul general stated tina
everything vas tranquil in Havana
The department. officials have hear
nothing officially of any trouble or mis-
understanding between Consul Genera
Lee and Secretary General Congosto an
attaCh little Importance to the rumors I
that effect. 1t is suggested that tn
basis may be the report current SeVera
days ago that DR.. CongoSto had express
ed displeasure because General Lee h.u
declined TO state officially that he ha'
not predicted failure for the autonom.
plan.
1t is said at the navy department tina
as matters stand there is no call 70
further instructions at present to Cap
tain Sigsbee, who is permitted to use hi
own discretion in dealing with the event
of the day, although he has been enjoin
ed to consult freely with General Lee an
was also infinitely instructed before h
arrived at Havana as to the wishes c
the secretary of the navy.
IF iS ljkpIy lh1t the Names crew Wi