The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1898-04-26

the committee and in the enate.
TO FORMALLY DECLARE WAR.
A resolution formally declaring war
against Spain will be introduced in the
congress OF the United States tomor-
row. The decision to do so has been
reached after mature deiberation in
order to safeguard the interests of the
United States. All the arguments pro
and o were discussed this afternoon
at the White house at a conference in
which President Mckinley. Attorney
General Griggs, Assistant Secretary
Day and Senators Davis and Hale par
ticipated, and on it's breaking up an
nOuncement was made that congress
tomorrow would be asked to declare
what it is held already exists. This
was the o important Washington
developments on the first war Sunday.
SPANS ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF
THE ULTIMATUN1.
The president will send a message to
OngreS tomorrow to he delivered i'm
mediately after it's converting, setting
forth the facts in the case and asking
congress formally to declare var in or
der that there may be no misunder-
standing or the part of the nations.
The most important point in the mes
sage from a news point of view will
be the announcement that Spain has
lou II ICpIy ~ Jul UIluiLdlul1l.
This reply has not been given to the
public and it was supposed that none
had been received. The document is a
formal acknowledgements 10y Spain, and
also an acceptance by that country of
the ultimatum as a virtual declaration
Of war. Congress will therefore be
asked to recognize this condition of af-
fairs and to declare it to the world, us
ing Spain'S concession as a reasOn for
it.
The war resolution has been prepar-
ed, and it is understood that the two
committees having i'm charge the for
eign affairs of the two houses Of con-
gress will be prepared to report upon
it very speedily-proIbaIbly immediate ely
after reading of the message. AN eff
fort will then be made to have the
resolution taken UP and passed fCrdh-
with, and it is not believed that
there will be amy formidable OppOSi-
ton to his course in either house.
SUNDAY AMONG THE OFFICIALS.
Foo the president and his cabinet
circle Sunday passed quietly and un-
eventually. The president attended
divine service at the Metropolitan
Methodist church, accompanied by
| Secretary and Mrs. Gage and Miss AL
ger. Mrs. Mckinley hasnot yet returned
ed from her trip to New York city.
| Adjutant General CorTbin and Secretary
| Alger conferred i'm THE afternoon re-
| specting the arrangements for calling
| or the governors of the states and ter
| ~ritories for the quota of troops they
| are to furnish under the presidents
| prOclama ton asking for 125.0OO mem.
In the state, war and navy depart
ments, many of the officials We're at
their desks directing the execution of
!, policies heretofore determined upon.
Neither Secretary Alger nor Secretary
Long were ON hand, but Assistant Sec
rotary MeikeljO1n and Assistant Sec
rotary Roosevelt were on duty for sew
eTal hours. The assistant secretary is
busily engaged in supervising the gen.
eral preparations for the transporta-
tiOn of the troOps overland and also
to Cuba, for which a large number Of
vessels will be chartered. In the quar-
termaster's office nearly the whole cler-
zeal force was on hand. The details
are far from complete, but Quarter
master General Huntington believes ev-
eTything will he in readiness by the
time the troops are ready to move.
| Some understanding with the raid ways
on the basis Of uniform rates of travel
will be arranged. if possible, so that
the soldiers may be sent by the short
| est possible route with the least charge
to the government. Questions of
| equipment of the troops with uniforms
| and tents are also to he settled al
| though many Of the state organiZa-
tons are prepared in this respect.
THE NAVAL RESERVES.
1t is said at the navy department
that all the naval militia (which will
be used in the deep sea patrol vessels
! already have been ordered to them.
/ Those remaining will he utilized in
manning the signal stations along the
and the vessel of the close shore
auxiliary fleet.
Commander Richardson Glover ex-
poets that the gunbOat Bancroft, which
he is to command and which is now
undergoing repairs ait Boston, will sail
for Norfolk in a few days to take on
her ammunition. The probability is
that the vessel then will be sent to join
| admiral Sagnpson's fleet.
| 1t is said to be definitely settled that
| Captain Albert s. Barker, a member
. Of The joint army and navy defense
plan board. will command the protect
ed ruiser New York, now fitting out
at Norfolk. She Will be ready for ser
vices some time in May.
ANOTHER STEAMER PURCHASED.
Assistant Secretary Roosevelt today
announced that the government had
purchased the steam yacht Aileen for
the auxiliary navy. This vessel, like
so many others that have been acquir-
ed, is of light draughd mo excellently
fitted for patrol duty in shallow waters.
She is Of Isl tons gross. register, 119
feet long and 20 feet beam.
! NO NEWS FROM SPANISH FLEET.
1t was said alt the navy department
today that no additional information
had been received of the movements
Of the Spanish fleets. r~endezvoused at
Cadiz and at the Cape Verde islands.
Every step taken by these fleets is
promptly reported to the department
by the agents abroad. One office ex-
planned today that it was very neces-
sary to receive With the greatest eau
tion reports of the movements of the
Spanish ships as Spain naturally will
try in every way to mislead the United
States.
THE ASIATlC SQUADRON.
Most of the vessels Of the Asiatic