The Somerset reporter., 1898-04-21
War Notes.
Massachusetts,, Friday, appropriated
$500, 900 for the purpose of increasing
the state militia.

$500, 900 for the purpose of increasing
the state militia.
The Spanish authorities are actively
terrifying the Canary islands and prepar-
ing for 6000 reinforcementa.
The Wilson line steamer Marengo
which arrived Friday from Newcastle
brought $50 tons of war material for the
United States government, recently pur-
chased in England
A dispatch from Kingston, jamaica
states that the British authorities have
instructions from the home government
to declare coal contraband in the event
of war. This will work to Spain's dis
advantage.
Orders were issued Friday, for the
concentration at four points in the
South of six regiments of cavalry,
twenty-five regiments Of infantry and
the light batteries of five regiments of
artillery.
In London it is generally recognized
that Spain intends to make privateering
a conspicuous element of the campaign.
The prevalent opinion that the United
States will not embark in privateering
produces an excellent impression.
The st. Paul and st. Louis fitted out
as cruisers will make magnificent addi-
tions to our navy, and are the most i'm
portant of the fifty or more vessels pur-
chased thus far by the auxiliary board.
Capt sigsbee will probably command
one of them.
Adj. Gen. Richards received a note
from the Navy department Saturday,
stating that the monitor Montauk would
start from League Island navy yard for
Portland about April 20. The boat will
be manned by detachment of the New
Jarsey naval reserve.
Anticipating the action of Congress in
authorizing the President to intervene in
the Cuban affairs, Secretary Alger has
had prepared bill empowering the
President to take all steps for increasing
the army and other measures to meet the
emergencies of the situation as they pre-
sent themselves.
A revenue bill has already been draft
ed by Mr.. Dingley's ways and means
committee, and will be ready for the con-
sderation of the House as soon as the
first gun is fired. 1t will put a duty on
tea and coffee, an additional tax on beer,
and tax on bank checks, notes, and
commercial paper of this kind.
A demonstration against the u. 5. Con-
sulate at Malaga, Spain, occurred, Sat
urday. The shield bearing upon it the
arms of the United States was torn
down and dragged in the streets. An
other demonstration occurred, Sunday,
but the civic guard dispersed the mobs
after repeated charges. Several persons
were injured.
A semi-official statement of the Spanish
position is to the effect that the govern
ment of Spain has never entertained the
evacuating Cuba. The Queen Regent
has headed the national subscription to
increase the strength of the Spanish
navy by giving one million pesetas to-
wards the fund.
The Spanish consuls in various parts
of the country are making provision for
the departure of the Spanish colonies in
their several localities. Arrangements
are now being concluded for the depar-
ture of the Spanish residents of Boston,
about 80 in number. Similar arrange
ments have been made as To the Spanish
colony in New York.
Rumors were current Friday to the
effect that the European powers would
intervene between the United States and
Spain, and that Austria was at the head
of the movement, but England is said to
stand by the U. S. and Germany gave
the movement the cold shoulder. The
Austrian ambassador openly says he has
given up any hopes of Europe preventing
war.
1t is learned from an authentic source
that Germany took the lead in pledging
the continental powers to maintain abso-
lutte neutrality in case of war between
the United States and Spain. The
greatest resistance offered to Germany
proposals was from France and Austria,
who acquiesced only with the proviso
that Europe is to have something to say
toward the end, or after in settling the
peace conditions.
Consul General Lee S testimony regard
ing the Maine disaster, before the Senate
committee, was made public, Thursday.
1t was to the effect that the explosion
was from the outside and in his belief
not by any private citizen or individual,
but by some of the officers who had
charge of the mines, electrical wires etc.
in the arsenal there, and that it was
Weyler's men who did it. He exoner-
ates General Blanco.
The Washington Post of Saturday
summarized the situation as follows, a
statement which it says it makes on the
| IL Il tel. =