The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1898-04-26

state Of affairs. but she accepts II with
all the energy inspired by a glorious
national history and the pride OF her
people. a pride which will never yield
to the strangers haughtinesS nor con
sent to see Spain's right n reason
trampled upon by a nation Of nobodies-
II the United States want the island
of Cuba let them come and take IL.
Perhaps the hour is not far distant in
which these Carthegenians of America
Will find their Zama in this island OF
Cuba. which Spain has discovered. peo-
pied and civilized and which will lev
be anything but Spanish.
1T is our turn to have the honor of
defending her and we will know how to
do ii with decision and an effort many
a time put forth. I count upon you for
this with absolute certainty. / believe
there is no sacrifice you are not pre-
pared to make in defence of the ma
tional territory, whose integrity is
sacred to all Spaniards of whatever
origin. | am sure that every n in
whose veins runs Spanish blood will
respond readily to the call which, in
these solemn moments. | address to all
and that all will group themselves
around me to contribute as much as
every one can to repel a foreign in
vasion, without allowing dangers, suf-
ferlngS or privatiOnS to weaken the
heart Of courage.
T arms, then. fellow countrymen,
To arms. There will be a place for all
in the fight. Let all cooperate and
contribute with the same firmness and
enthusiasm to fight the eternal enemy
OF the Spanish name, emulating the ex-
ploits of our ancestors, who always ex-
allied high their country's fame and
honor Cry a thousand times: Viva
Espana!' Viva Ell Rey Alfonso XIII
Viva La Regente" Viva Cuba Always
Spanish"
"PAMON BLANCO."
The government has accepted the
proposal of Nicholas, Tamin & Co, an
American concern, to arrange for a
supply of water from Paita and Colon.
The contract will be signed immedi-
ately. 1t is looked upon as q good ar
rangement from both standpoints.
At a meeting yesterday of the direc-
tors of the Spanish bank it was agreed
to declare compulsory the acceptance
of paper money at it's value on the day
of presentation, estates to receive it at
the previous days value.
h movement of troops continue and
there are daily conferences of the gen
erals n the Spanish admirals at the
palace.
1t is currently reported here tina the
insurgents have declined to confer with
the delegation of the colonial govern
ment, which was sent to treat with
them for peace on the basis of a broad
er form Of autonomy. 1t is added that
the insurgents will only accept Spanish
generals as mediatOrS.
The announcement of the United
States ultimatum to Spain caused great
enthusiasm at the theatre last night,
the audience making a bellicOse dem
OnstratiOn against the United States.
London, April PA dispatch to the
Daily Telegraph from Barcelona, via
Paris says: Grave approximations are
entertained in the highest government
circles hat the issue Of war may be
decided, not by vaiOr and enthusiasm
and logged perseverance, but by re-
serves of o a and victuaIs, of which
they have made but a scanty provision
in Cuba. 1t appears that in respect of
coal in particular they are c~Omparably
worse off thar they have hitherto
imagined. The Spanish government,
firmly believing down to the very last
ONE that peace will he preserved
through the intercession Of the pope
and the powers, neglected to lay in
sufficient provision of coal, despite the
representations made to them by one or
two far-seeing nava officers. Besides
they, it is believed, they never once
inquired Of the British or other neu-
trail governments whether a would
be regarded as cOntraband Of war. The
result is SdlO TO DE a state OIL InlnSS
which may be fraught with unpleas-
ant surprises and bring hoStllltleS to
a premature end.
Key West, April 22-The North
Atlantic squadron except the monitors
Terror and Puritan and the smaS-.
cruisers, sailed from Key West at 5:45
o'clock this morning headed for the
Florida straits. The skies were grow
ing grey with the coming dawn when
the formidable family of destroyers
quietly and unostentationsly steamed
away, presumably for the shores of
Cuba. Besides the two monitors the
ships left behind are the gunboat He
lena, cruiser M~arblehead, Detroit, Dis
patch boat Dolphin and the torpedo
boats Gushing, Dupont n Porter.
Throughout the long night unusual
activity on the vessels of the fleet told
weary watchers on shore that the long
awaited advance on Havana was near
at hand, yet there was nothing official
or which to found that belief. Wash
ington advices of yesterday afternoon
indicated the probability of a move
ment during the night or to-day but
the naval men ashore disclaimed any
knowledge of orders. They averred
that their condition of uncertainty was
still unchanged.
Early in the evening ho- came
the first realization Of Tire Iact that the
tedious period of inaction was nearing
its close. When signals were hoisted
recalling all the men to ships without
delay, many interpreted thisfs a pre-
c~autionary measure, especially in view
Of the fact that a numbe of officers,
including several from the fiagships
remained ashOr and had leave for the
night. About l. O'Clock there occurred
a decided change in the situation when
a special boat. hurried from the flag
ship with orders to all still ashore TO
Immediately return to the ships. Mid
night found the city empty Of gold
braid and blue jackets with which il
had grown familiar. Save one or two
recalcitrant jackies whose c%onvivial pa
triotism a run ava with their sense
of duty there was not a naval man ID
be found in town. The theatre Of ac-
ton was transferred to the harbor
where a giittering panorama was enact
ed until daybreak appeared slowly over
the waters Of the gulf. The first
Sreaks of the morning light were
CROSSING fine cast and two bells inst