The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1898-04-15

cfaIs Of the administration express con-
fdence IN their ability to keep proper
qy Informed of the course Of events IN
Cuba, especially with reference TO the
Developments which may result from
the proposition of Spain for the cessa-
ton of hostilities on the island
SPAIN BUYING WAR MUNITIONS.
Information has reached here show
ing that the Spanish government IS
making extraordinary efforts to obtain
all the munitions of war possible. She
recently gave TO one of the most prom
inent English firms unlimited orders
for all the munitions of war it could
deliver up ito the 1st of May.
CRUISERS SAIL FOR NEW YORK.
Halifax, n. s., April 12--The United
States warshipS San Francisco and
New Orleans sailed at o'clock this
morning for New York. They took on
board 25O tons of coal ait this port.
Washington, April 13.-This was a
day of stirring activity at the navy
and war departments. Anticipating
decisive action by congress, the ma
chfnery of the military and naval
branches of the government was early
put in molten and events of grave sig
nificance followed in quick succession.
In evtry bureau the work of prepaTa-
rush that was in marked contrast to
the lethargy that had characterized the
big granite building since Monday. With
it all, there was an added secrecy and
reticence ON the part of officials to dis
cuss the woarliloe movements.
Probably the most significant action
at the navy department was the issue
of instructions to THE naval auxiliary
board at New York for the immediate
purchase of the ocean greyhounds St.
Paul and ST. Louis of the American
Lime, the purchase of another first
class auxiliary cruiser, probably the
Yorktown, of the Old Dominion Lime,
and the purchase of the Brazilian
cruiser Nictheroy. The last named YES
sci is about to be inspected and the
result will determine the question of
her requirement by the United States
navy. The purchase of the ST. Paul
and the ST. Louis is probably the most
expensive transaction cOnsunmated by
the navy department since the Begin
ming of the war excitement. The
amount paid for them is an official Sc
cret but is known to- be somewhere in
the neighborhOod of $4,000, ,000 The re
port made by the Rodgers auxiliary
board fOr the armament of these
steamers provides for two 6-inch rapid
fire ard ten 5-inch rapid fire guns for
the main ibattery; of twelve 6-pOunders
for the secondary battery. The steer
ing gear of these vessels ais well as the
magazines, will be protected by a belt
of coal. With rush work the vessels
will be in readiness for service in about
thirty days.
The st. Paul sailed from Southhamp-
ton April 9th, for New York, and is
due here ON Friday next. The ST.
Louis arrived at Southampton this
morning from New York and if she
returns according to the schedule of
the American Lime, will sail from
Southapnlton on Saturday next. The
tonnage of these vessels us II ,629 gross
and 5,S74 met each; they are $3.50 feet
long, 63 feet beam and 504 feet deep
and have twin screws. The hulls are
of steel, with ten waiter tight cornpart-
nen'ts and -four decks and are fitted for
carrying water ballast. The engines
of the st. Paul are of 10000 horse-pow-
er and of THE st. Louis $4,000 horse
power. The ST. Paul's speed record is
21.0S knots per hour, the st. Louis 2OS7
knots per hour
EARLY in the forenoon the naval stra-
tegic board went into session and call
ed Consul General Lee into the confer
ence. The session was a long one and
was devoted to a thorough discussion
of offensive and defensive movements
i'm Cuban waters, Geenral Lee being
able ito give the board much valuable
information regarding the defenses of
Havana.
CrOWding close upon the heels of
these events was the news that the
fy1ng squadron had raised anchors and
put to sea. This fact caused intense
excitement i'm all quarters and finally
ELECTED the official statement that the
squadron had merely gone ITO sea for
a short practice cruise. There was an
evident anxiety on the part of officials
Tor news of the various Spanish fleets.
but up to a late hour tonight no word
had been received of amy movement in
that quarter. Tt was rumored that the
spanish vessels at Porto Rico had sail
ed, but this could not be confirmed.
tAIt the war department various de-
TAILS attendant upon the prearranged
plans for moving THE troops were put
IN shape, but matters in this regard
are so We'll in hand THAT no new or
ders were ISSUED.
senator Pettigrew today introduced
bill declaring war against the king
dom of Spain.
THE FLYING SQUADRON SAILS.
Newport News, Va, April 13.-The
flying squadron, which is COMPOSED of
the flagship Brooklyn, first class bat
tlesh1p Massachusetts, second class bat
ueshlp Texas and cruisers Colurnbi
and Minneapolis, put to sea at 2:20
O'Clock this afternoon under sealed or
ders. 1t was learned at-Old Point at 10
o'clock this morning that Commodore
Scthley had received orders to take his
fleet to sea- The news spread rapidly
and hundreds of people hastened to the
docks to see the wfarships depart.
At 11:30 o'clock Commodore SchIey
and the other officers of the ships cam e
ashore to bid farewell to their wives
and families, who We're guests at the
hotels. 1t was an affecting scene The
ladies followed their husbands to the
dock, cllnglng to their arms with tears
streaming down their cheeks for who
knew but that it was the last farewell
that would be spoken in this world.
few minutes later, the all aboard
gun was fired from the Brooklyn and
the officers stepped aboard the
launches From the stacks of the YES
sells smoke cllrlpH and