The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1898-03-11

tA"dTlFlatEOn OF ali consignment of re-
lief supplies. Except on the order OF
the Military authorities, the disaribu-
tlIn of quinine has been prohibited for
a time. 1t was found that much pui-
nine made il way into the hands of the
insurgents. No official Information is
accessible concerning the reported de-
portation of American correspondents.
Several Americans were passengers on
the Ward Lin steamer Concoho this
morning. As bearing on the state of
public feeling here il is worth noting
that there We're thiIty-two balls and
more or less elaborate parties in Ha-
ANA last night.
WHAT LEE SAYS.
General ~Fitzhugh Lee, consul general
Of the United States, was Questioned
today regarding SPANS demand for his
recall, n said: Il shah continue to do
my duty, which is to guard American
Interests. FitZhugn Lee, my son, came
to visit me during the short vacation
granted him by the Chesapeake and
Ohio railroad. He was here before,
has many friends and Will return to
the United States when his vacation
is over next week. Mrs. Lee is not i'll
nor is Sine nervous. I have not written
her anything to alarm her. l have had
no need to do So"
The Spanish steamer Alfonso XIII
has reached this port from Spain, hav-
ing on beard 1888 soldiers.
A SIGNIFICANT ORDER.
Key West, Fla, March NAVAL Of
I nceTs here had scarcely learned of Ad-
. miral Sicard's order directing the de-
parture of the cruisers Nashville and
Montgomery for Matanzas and Sagua
Ia Grande with supplies for the recon
| oc- ND 1Cl- 1ofSpro a " o,4IO- v-,- O.,;-
resembling it. A telegram from WASH
ingtCn was followed by a hurried con-
ference between Admiral Sicard and
Commander West and shortly after 3
o'clock Admiral Sioard c-ountermanded
the order issued ait noon and directed
that the Montgomery proceed as soon
possible to Havana and the Fern was
| again assigned to the duty Of carrying
supplies to Matanzas. The MCntgon-
cry is being hurriedly cCaled, and work
ON her will be carried on Through the
night. 1t is hardly expected that She
will leave for Havana before morning
and her departure may be further de-
layed. The official reason for the Mont
| gOmery'S going to Havana is that she
is merely to relieve the dispatch boat
Fern. A naval officer-one of the few
who at h time this dispatch is sent are
aware of the later change of plans
l Solo lIIdl lC "a IL diil
| that a cruiser of the M~cntgomery's
| calibre should be sent to take the place
| of a mere dispatch boat.
h afternoon the torpedo boat POr-
ter arrived from Mobile. The torpedo
boat Gushing will probaly have to be
laid up for repairs and tine Ericsson is
i'm non toe good condition..
AMMUNITION FOR THE FLEET.
The Mallory Line steamer Alamo
| rrive here this morning from New
York with a cargo of ammunition for
the United States fleet, a greater part
of which us intended for the cruiser
| Cincinnati.
| THE MONTGOMERY READY TO
SAIL.
| The correspondent of the Associated
Press went on board the cruiser Mont
| gOmery late tonight. The coaling a
been stopped, as the men We're too
wearing after packing away tons of
| ammunition to perform this additional
labor. A high officer On board said:
| NO, we dc not mind going to Havana
/ a bit. We shall be off in the morning
| unless we get another countermanding
| order. These changes have kept Us
ON the jump, and we hardly know
where we are. With provisions and
ammunition aboard however, we are
| prepared to go anywhere. | have not
the remotest idea how long we shall be
in Havan 1t seems only in accord
| aqlGe with the naval departments pol
icy that we are going. The department
want the Fern to carry provisions to
Cuba: the survey boat Bache is being
used to bring back the bodies of the
| Maine victims and 50, with the court
of inquiry in Havana, It is absolutely
necessary that some boats should be
at THE disposal of the American Off
GERS there in addition to the lighthouse
tender M~angrove."
LONDON TIMES ON MI NEW SIT
CATION.
London, March The Times says
edStorially this morning: IF Spain is
placed in AN awkward position respect
ing the Lee incident, h must thank
the indiscretion of her foreign office.
She cannot blame President Mckinley.
Mr.. Cannon's bill can hardly be explain
ed by the Lex incident. Il IS probably
due to the ru1nor that Spain is pur-
chasing war vessels. We do not be-
lieye that Spain desires war, but if she
does. this evidence of Americas alert
ness offers a most effec,ual check.
President Mckinley appears to De ad-
herring loyalty to the policy OF firm
ness. caution and pacific circumspec-
ton he has hith2rto pursued. No doubt,
he has the support Of the sober and
conscientious mass ST the American
people. but he has had to face
of popular clamor that a weaker man
might have mistaken for the voice of
the The completely of the
Spanish government in the Maine dis
aster Is a hypaheSiS too monStrous
and irrational TO be entertained; and,
except that, there is nothing Impossible
of rrangemenr between Spain n
America. while the intractable nature
of Cuba's disorders cannot but inspire
thoughtfui Americans with a serious
ron,rft as ITO the wisdom of annexation"
! MINISTER GULLON'S VERSION OF
THE AFFAIR.
Madrid, March Eel Liberal says to-
/ day: Senior Gullon, the foreign min