, 1898-05-18

the Ministry is said to be unsteady.
From Madrid it is reported that the
reconstruction Of tile Spanish Cabinet is
expected before Monlay, and that Admiral
Bermeio, Minister Of Marine; Senior GullOn,
Minister Of Foreign A%ttailr; Senior MOret,
Minister Of Colonies; and Cond &c Alquena.
Minister Of Public Works, will be succeeded
by Senores Rios, Gamazo, Maura, aud Butler.
The changes indicate a pacific tendency.
Other Madrid NJ WIS reports a DeileI that
General Campos, who also favours peace, will
soon get into power.
A Washington telegram announces that
General Wesley Merritt has been nominated
Militia Governor OF thr Philippine IsI"n'i-.
Troops are now being despatched to the
Pacific.
New York, May I4th.-FIom Madrid it is
announced hat Admiral Berm'jo Minister
Of Marine. has stated that the Cape Verde
squadron is off Fort-de-Frarce MAJ Unique.
The above statement is confirmed BY the
'Herald's'' correspondent at st. Pierre. A
Washington telegram reckons that a naval
battle should take place to-day.
Adyices from Key West state that the o.. S.
cruisers sMachi.s'. Wilmington, 'Winslow'
and Hudson on Wednesday last reconnoitred
Cardenas with he view of destroying three
Spanish gun boats. Unfortunately the
"Wiuslow' ran among some buoys which
mrrked a rang for IL masked battery, the
shells from which hit her repeatedly, smash
ing her steering gear, disabling the boiler,
and killing ensign Bagley; four others OF the
crew being wounded.
The "WinsloN'' was then towed away IN.
der fire. The other vessels did considerable
damage ashore, and altogether two thousand
shots were fired turing the one hours en-
gagemeut.
The report from Havana that all action
had taken place off Cienfurgos has not yet
been confirmed. It is said that all attempt
was made to land ut the latter place, but
that after five hours bomUaldment the
Americans were repulsed.
A London paper, editoriaIly discussing
the proposal Of Germany lie the Philippine
Islands. says that there nre fears Ill English
financial circles Of entaug,ements Arising,
and which may be inimical to England; II
is reported that the Bank Of England IS
making every effort to increase is gold
reserve.
A telegram from Hong Kong states that
the latest advices from Manila report a
state of anarchy over the whole country, and
that it is doubtful if Commodore Dewey can
maintain order.
In the United States the bombardlnent Of
San Juan is severely criticized by Ameri-
can officers as useless ami exposing them
while in action to a sudden attack from
Spanish ships said to be cruising around the
island of Porto Rico.
Code or plain messages to Porto Rico, Cuba,
United States and places beyo nd will be NC
cepted entirely at sender's risk and no refund
if stopped.
New York, Nav lGth.-LOndon news an
nounces that Mr.. Soames, a Liberal, has been
elected M. 2. for Norfolk S.. vice MIR. +.
Taylor resigned.
Other news states that Her Majesty the
Queen has accepted the resignation OF the
Earl OF Aberdeen as Governor.G General OF
Canada.
Mr.. Chamberlain, addressing a political
meeting at Birmingham, stated that the time
had now arrived when England may be con.
fronted with a combination Of the Powers,
therefore it was her first duty to consolidate
the Empire, and the next to maintain the
bonds of permanent unity with her kinsmen
across the Atlantic. (Oheers) Such unity
even war itself, he said, would cheaply pur-
chase if i'll a noble cause the English and
American flags waved together over an
Anglo Saxon Alliance. (Chee1s.) One re.
suit of Lord Salisbury's policy was that these
two nations understood each other better
than they had done for the past century. In
conclusion he drew a rather gloomy picture