The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1898-03-22

covered, out neither mas ADeen ldentl-
fled as yet. One is the badly of a man
apparently about forty, of medium
height with his right forearm tattooed
in a design Of two hearts over tapping
and pierced by two daggers, with a
red tinged owe leaf above the hearts.
SPANS MILITARY STRENGTH.
Washington March Is. - Seventy
Thousand men is the number Of Span
ish soldiers who have been killed
wounded and otherwise in capacitated
for duty during the present war in
Cuba. These figures lave been re-
ceived in this city recently from re-
liable sources and are said TO be as
nearly authentic as it is Impossible to
obtain them without recourse to the
records kept by the Spanish govern
ment. From the same source conSid-
cradle other information bearing on
the military strength Of Spain and her
dependencies is obtained. The present
force of Spain in Cubs is as follows:
Regulars, 135, 900 Of this number it is
| estimated that so, 900 of them are effec-
tive for military purposes. There are
about 80, 900 members in what is known
as the volunteer army. These are
mostly in the province Of Havana n
are largely in the nature of home
guards, corresponding to u state mi
iitia. There are So, 900 men who are not
effective for military duty from var
Gus uses The strength of the Span
ish army at home and including her
nearby possessions is 100000 men
| which in times Of demand for addi-
| tional soldiers may be increased as fol-
| lows: Firse reserve SO, 900; second re-
serve 160, 900 men, all of whom are in
Structed in military tactics, and a
| C reserve hic is not instructed
of 800, 900 men, making in all a grand to-
tai of 610, 900 men. Since these figures
were received here recent drafts of 49,
900 men to strengthen the army in Cuba
leaves only IS, 900 men of Spain's regu-
lar army o in the peninsula, the
Balearic islands, the Spanish possessions
in North Africa and the Canary is
lands. In the PHILIPPINE islands she
has an army of 80, 900 men which i'm
, cludes about $4,000 native troops,
Several regiments Of the latter We're
disbanded during the time or war. 1t
is said that they are of little use to the
Spanish government. In Porto Rico
there are 5000 Spanish troops which, in
the event Of hostilities could be sup
plemented by 1000 volunteers.
WAR RATHER THAN PAY INDEM-
NIFTY.
Vienna, March 1S.-The Neue Freie
Presse publishes an interview with a
opoiii~ III Lho1 =
quis de Hoyos the Spanish ambassa-
dor, Who is represented as saying
Spain would rather have war with
the United States than pay coCnpesa-
ton for the Maine, for by the latter
course She would forfeit her honor
through admission of guilt, which
would erase her name from the list
OF civilized nations.
1T could not be England's interests
tn S6a the Sno n ia rIS avrol1p6 f-op,
, Cuba, as there might arise at Wash
ington an inclination to declare Jana
da's independence.
IF DURING A WAR THE UNITED
STATES SHOULD INCITE THE
PHILIPPIN Els TO REVOLT SPAIN
RAISING REVOLTS in THE AMER
loan SOUTHERN STATES"
Madrid, March 1S.-1t is asserted that
the catral and western provinces nav
ing been pacified, General Blanco is
about starting on extensive operations,
with eighty battalions and large o
unteer forces to destroy the insurgent
power in eastern Cuba. General Blan-
co will direct his efforts especially to
dem04ish what is described as 1.-The
more or less embryonic organizations
which enabled the rebels TO maintain
the appearance Of a government" The
government is exceedingly hopeful o:
early results from Genera Blanco's
plan Of large operations in the east OF
the island.
1t IS understood that the report o.
the Spanish naval court upon tht
Maine disaster will be delayed unit
the American report is published.
Senior Sagasta. the premier. say:
the journey OF the torpedo squadron
10Y at the Canaries to Havana ha.
not been indefinitely postponed Tn.
tone OF the press is more hopeful. Ou
financial circles are still uneasy.