The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1898-03-29

the de.sira hility OF such prevention
However, the real attitude of every
body is that SO hong maintained. name
ly. waiting one. Many believe dip
fomacy or arbitration would avert war
even now and some think that Spain
VIII cay in effect:
Your decision is that Sife explosion
'wes external. and ours that 1t was in
tel nal. This Is a grave matter; We de
mend further investigation, in which
cisfnterested parties shall act with the
| Spanish and the American govern
ments. We will abide by the decision
Of the final tribunal so far as indemnity
is concerned, though now and forever
disclaiming any knowledge of a
plot or purpose TO blow up the Maine"
The high Spanish official who is prac-
tically quoted above thinks tina. such a
proposition by Spain is bound to meet
with acceptance, being regarded as
erninently fair by all civilized govern
ments.
CUBANS IN GOOD FIGHTING TRIM
Meantime G neral Gomez and the in
suTg'ert chiefs ari their followers
are evidently prepared to continue
fighting for years yet TO come, if neces-
sary. The knowledge Of ttiris fact may
have something to do with The in
ceased bitterness in the tone OF the
"
week h9s been really abusive or Amer
leans.
General Gomez has written o letter
to THE junta in New York, rel i,erating
his purpose to accept noohing but the
conditions of the Monte CriSto declara-
tion. He says he is willing, however.
to pay Spain 5000 600, Geo purchase
money, if needed, He is Also anxious
that the Spanish soldiers Who remain
csl1n thal in ha re1b a ~
Cuba's commercial greatness.
General Gomez says he has nearer
$4,000 than 10000 men under arms and
is gaining recruits daily.
EGghting has been resumed with
vigor in the province OF Puerto Prin-
cipe since the failure to induce the in
SurgenitS to accept or even listen to the
ridiculous offers of the autonomiSts."
AS usual, it is Impossible to tell the
real result of the enga cement from the
reports furnished here by Spanish Off
cials. One bright aspect of affairs is
the relief work. 1t is impossible to
understa nd the hostile tone of many of
THE Havana papers toward the work of
relief, (which lis 50 eminently charitable
ON 1.-THE Surface and beneath it. The
Spaniards and Cubans cannot want
the reconcentradoS ito die, yet this
would surely have happened had it not
been for American succor.
sIGSBEE LEAVES HAVANA.
Captain Sigsbee and other remaining
officers of the Maine, with the eXcep-
,tion of Lieutenant Commander VAIN
wright sailed for Key West on the
OEivette this afternoon. Before the
vessel departed Captain Sigsbee was
presented with a floral ship by Consul
General Lee and the newspaper cor
respondents at Havana The presen-
tation speech was made by General
Lee and Captain SigSbee responded
briefly.
MORE WARSHIPS AT KEY WEST.
Key West, Fla, March 26.-The ar
rivaa of three new warShipS added fuel
to the fire of excitement and the shores
rang with cheers as the vessels seam
ed irto the ban'bor. Owing to dark
ness lit was impossible to make out
their exact identity, but they are be
lieVed to be the cruiser Cincinnati and
the gurboa'ts Wilmington and Castine.
ADDITIONAL PEECAUTIONSWE
TAKEN ON ALL THE SHIPS To-
NIGHT. THEY HAVE EVERYTHING
IN READINESS TO PULL OUT AT
A MOMENTS NOTICE. THE GUN
CREWS SLEEP BY THEIR GUNS.
The coast survey steamer Bache
sailed for Havana tonight presumably
to help carry away the American offi-
cials.
The steamer Olivette from Havana,
(which arrived tonight, brought all the
officers Of the Maine except Lieuten-
ant Commander Wainwright. With
the exception Of Captain Chadwick,
they proceeded 70 Tampa on their way
north. Captain Sigsbee said when
shown the Associated Press bulletin
regarding the ultimatum to Spain:
This looks like war"
The Olivette also brought nine bod
les recovered from the wreck of the
Maine. The body of Lieutenant Jen-
kins was sent through to Pittsburg.
The eight others will be buried here
tomorrow Captain Sigsbee thinks
that more bodies will be recovered from
the wreck.
london, March 27.-The Paris cor
respondent of The Sunday Special says
private edvtces received from Madrid
says the Senior Polo Berna'be, the
Spanish minister at Washington has
been instructed to yield gradually.
OPINION OF GERMANY.
A dispatch to The Observer from Ber-
lin says the imminent danger Of war
between the United States and Spain is
the absorbing topic of discussion.
German opinion may be summarized by
saying that it refused to believe that
a mine was Intentionally exploded. 1t
regards the CAGE as one of negligence
on the part of Spain, for which the
United States is entitled TO compen-
sation, but that countrys claim on ac-
count of the flibustering expeditions
must also be allowed.
The Sunday Specials Berlin corre-
spondent telegraphs: Il have learned
from Ambassador White that Emperor
William has expressed his belief that
the Maine was not destroyed from the
outside. In order to study the cause
OF the Maine destruction the Emperor
commanded that the naval committee
should study series OF exhaustive re-
ports, which he had caIbled from Ha-
wanna The committee concluded that
the explosion was due to over-heating
Of coal bunkers and not to a torpedo
or mine"
MCKINLEY CHARGED WITH
DOUBLE DEALING.
Havana, March 2S.-N Diaro de La