The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1898-05-13
SPECULATIVE As TO RUMORS
AND PROBABILITIES.

Where is Admiral Sampson, and
what has become of the Spanish fleet
at Cape Verde are questions Of inter-
est? Sampson Ii hunting the Span
iards probably or returning to Havana
to end the suspense as to that city's
fall. The Spanish feet may be al Ca
diz, for that is probably its safest
course. 1t has no coaling stations ac-
cessible on this side of the Atlantic
and it could not remain long IL allow
ed to do so by our fleets because OF a
need of COAL. The truth may be that
the Spaniards after their complete de-
struction in the Bay Of Manila are
afraid to venture another battle, par
ticularly on mid-Ocean where destruc-
ton might await them. So flight for
home and safe harborage may BIZ the
dernier resort with the boastful gang.
But if the fleet has really returned
to Spanish waters beyond the Atlantic
it means probably a final abandonment
Of Cuba and Porto Rico. This may be
the beginning of the end, or may be a
pa III tic pldIIS " tCIllllIOS lIlS wal
at long taw with their vessels that may
become strictly piratical, taking up
their old ~sea-caIling of Elizabeth's
time as buccaneers.
The return of the Spanish fleet to Ca
dix might be the signal of an outbreak
or revolution all over Spain and the
immediate overthrow of the AIphon-
lists. Or it might be the invitation to
the European powers to advise Spain
what to do in the way Of peace with the
by our W troops at once is probably
a fixed fact in the campaign plan.
With bread riots at Madrid and revo-
luton threatening the dynasty, it would
really seem the part of wisdom for the
Segasta government to try to arrange
public But the Spaniard is bull-head-
ed, proud, treacherous, unwise and I'M
practical. He is eloquent, rhetorical,
impassioned but lacks sanity, common
sense, a right view of things.
There is a report from Madrid of 2Sth
iIAdl III hCpdIlloA llOOpS lldu CIV dCudleu
Manila, but hat lacks confirmation.
Admiral Dewey desires to seize Ma
nilla and establish a provisional gov
eminent. He asked for such instruc-
tons, so Hongkong dispatches of Sth
stated. The Spanish commander at
Manila wanted to surrender when he
saw it was useless for his fleet to fight
the Americans. The Spaniards had no
steam up. Quite like Spanish incapac-
ity. In the meantime the Spanish
Philippines. How this is to be done
has not yet been revealed by it's
wisdom. The late Spanish minister to
Washington-stll playing a Polo
game-is boastful and prOphesies the
American defeat when it engages the
pecting the safe flight of his fleet when
he thus babbled.
The campaign in Cuba is to be short
and decisive, comes from Washington.
The first regiments to enlist are to go
there. The talk is for a 40, 900 army Of
invasion. 1t is said. in a dispatch from
of 10th inst, that the Spaniards
"a Manila declare that they will eve
the town until it is blown
Humanity's sake would demand
hat the women and children and old
men should he removed from the city.
American troops (5,OOOy are to occupy
the islands. The cut cable is to be re-
paired.
We are not disposed to attach any
Importance to the report from Wash
ington on 10th that the Spanish fleet
he steaming for the Philippines.
1t is a very long voyage and how could
they make it?