The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1898-04-22
NO NOPE EUROPEAN INTERVIEW
TON.

41o-N-
London. April 18th Berlin CORE
spondent of the Times says: In we'll
informed quarters all reports OF fresh
efforts on the part Of the powers 10
avert war are described as unfounded-
The Madrid correspondent or the
Daily Telegraph says: Several in
~fiuential and ~outspoken journals be
lieve that in the event Of war, Lieuten-
ant General Weyler will be placed in
the chief command in Cuba l learn
that a member Of the cortes intends TO
make a proposal in that sense, but it Is
questionable whether il has any hope
Of success.
Paris, April BE Jorunal publish
es an interview which its Madrid cor
respondent has had with Senior Moret
the Spanish minister of the colonies,
in the course of which Senior Moret
said: Spain has made all the conces-
sion compatible with honor. II Mckin-
ley wants Cuba let him come and take
it. We can do and say nothing more"
Madrid, April 1S.-Great indignation
has been caused in English speaking
circles in Madrid by an "unwarrant-
able personal attack upon General
Stewart L. Woodford appearing in two
issues of an American journal. The
American minister's courtesy is much
appreciated by all in English speaking
circles, especially by the newspaper
representatives. While maintaining
the high level Of Americas diplomatic
reputation, he has done so without
losing personally the esteem of the peo-
pie whose court he is accredited.
KEY WEST AND PUNTA ROSA
CABLE CUT.
Key West, Fla, April 1S.-It was
earned today that the cable between
Key West and Punta Rassa had been
cut about two miles this side of SAM
bal island, about III miles from Key
West. The matter was kept secret and
the break has been repaired. The Incl
dent looked suspicious, the broken end
of the cable showed that it had been
cut clean through. Captain Sampson
learned Of it today and wired the naval
department at Washington. 1t has
been decided to establish a careful
guard in these waters and any suspi-
cious craft will be summarily dealt
with
EXCITEMENT IN PORTO RICO.
Island Of ST. Thomas, West Indies,
April 18.-TOday's advices from San
Juan, Puerto Rico, report hat the ex-
in the island is increasing and
the inhabitants are deserving the
coast for the interior. Military drills
and activity continue.
Montreal, April 1S.-It is announced
that the smallest IF the Allen Line
steamship fleet, the Lucerne, of about
1000 tons, has been sold to the United
States to be added tothe auxiliary war
fleet.
Washington, April 1S.-Representa-
tive Hull, of Iowa, chairman of the
house committee On military affairs,
will nyrr 49,
tratlOn bill authorizing the president to
issue a call for volunteers to the num-
Der of 10000 or 10000 men. 1t will be
considered at once by committee. it's
passage expedited as rapidly as possible
and will take effect Immediately upon
presidents approval. It's terms will
authorize the president to call on the
various states for quotas in making I'D
the aggregate. By reading in this way.
instead of specifically looking to calling
out the various state militia, it will
avoid several embarrassing technical
tiles, a main one being the constitu-
tional inhibition on sending state mill
tia out of the country, while vOlun-
teers so called for a he ordered any
where. 1t is likely that if the situation
develops into such grave proportions
as is now expected, a second call for
100, 900 volunteers will he issued by the
president. The necessity for this i'm
mense number, however, is not clear
to the military authorities at this time.
The draft of the present war measure
has just been framed 10y the war de-
partment officials and the leading mem
bers o fthe military committee have al
ready conferred with the WAR depart
ment authorities on the necessity on
this line, the latter having announced
that a maximum Of S0.0 900 volunteers
would be sufficient at this time.
Secretary Alger, now that we are on
the verge Of war, has decided not to
make public movement of troops or any
news that might be of advantage to an
enemy.
Nc date has beeen fixed for the trans
fer for army headquarters from Wash
ingtOn to the south. In fac there is
yet considerable doubt as to whether
This transfer will be made at all at
present. The matter has lbeeen brought
before the president for decision and
strong representations have been made
to him hat the vast work of organic
ing. arming and equippingithe consid-
cradle army that undoubtedly will be
required in case Of hostilities can be
discharged better at Washington at
the seat of government n close to the
source of executive power. than at a
distant point in the south.