The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1898-03-15

constitute one of the most deadly en-
gines Of the naval construction. The
Whitehead torpedo is now in general
use, although a few of TIE Howell
class ares>Still on hand. Fifty OF the
Whitehead torpedoeS We're secured a
short time ago, and with these there
is a total of bou $50 on hand. This
gives not only a full outfit for vessels
now in commission, but also the c
essary reserve supply.
THE SPANISH MINISTER ARRIVES
The new Spanish minister, Senior
Polo Y Bernabe, arrived here early to-
day He was met All the station by
Senior du Bose, the Spanish charge
d'affaires, and other Spanish officials,
who CAV him a cordial welcome and
escorted him to the legation. Later,
Senior du Bose called at the state de-
partnent and arranged to present
Senior Polo at 11:45 O'Clock tomorrow
morning.
1t is realized at the state department
that the lot of the American consuls
in Cuba 10 "a very hard one; 1T has beer
difficult for many months and is no
better now. Still the department is
gratified at the manner in which these
officers have discharged their duties
and remained by their posts. SO far "a
can be learned at the state department,
none of them has resigned and stories
TO the contrary probably found their
origin in the fact that one consul
whose health had broken down, has
applied for a leave Of absence and it
was granted.
THE COURT OF INQUIRY.
Havana, March 10.-The United
States naval court of inquiry into the
loss of the battleship Maine is quietly
continuing its work and its members
are as secretive as usual. So far as
can be Judged, there have been no i'm
pOrtant developments recently.
The officers of the Montgomery pay
and receive the usual courtesies here,
visiting the Spanish admiral and other
Spanish officers, who return the visits
of the American officers. Captain Con-
verse, of the Montgomery, in
with COnsul-General Lee, called on
Captain General Blanco todayand were
received cordially and c~ourteously.
THE COURT ABOUT DONE ITS
WORK.
Key West, Fla, March 1O.-The
United States dispatch bout Fern ar
rived here this morning from Havana
She brought the Maine silverWare and
sixty rifles recovered from the wreck.
MIR. Blssell, s~tenogTapher of the court
of inquiry was also on board. Both
official StenOgraphers have now left the
court, and it has only a temporary
clerk. This leads many here to think
hat its work is practically done and
that 1T will return to Key West by or
before Saturday. THE Fern c0aled,
and tine provisions for the starving Gu
a We're then put on board. She is
scheduled to sail for Matanzas tomOr-
row. The Marblehead will go from the
TOrtugaS to Tampa, where lit is report
ed She will take on additional ammu-
milton. The British cruiser Cordelia
coaled today.
Havana, March 10.-The Anita had
on board Senator Ga1linger, Senator
ThursrtCn and Mrs. T'hurston, Senator
Money, with his father, mother and
sister; Congressman Cummings, Con-
gresham Smith, Mrs. Eva Valesh and
Herbert J. Browne. The party break
tasted at the hotel Pasaje. Consul
General Lee called about noom Ar
engagements are being made for cour-
tesy calls upon Captain General Blan-
co and the either Spanish officials.
Next Thursday there will be an in
f1uential gathering at the palace, under
the Craftsmanship elf General BlancO,
to promote the purchase of a warShip
to be called the Island of Cuba.
On Sunday night a dynamite bomb
destroyed a railway culvert near Es-
peranza, p%rivince of Santa Clara.
TORPEDO BOATS WANTED AT
ONCE.
Baltimore, March 1O.-The torpedo
boats being built by the Columbian
Iron Works are wanted by the govern
ment at once. Mayor Malster, who is
president of the company, received a
telegram from the navy department
today saying that the Rodgers must
be turned over within a week; that
the Mckee must he ready within thir-
ty days and that work on the sub-ma-
rine boat Plunger hOu be pushed as
rapidly as possible.
WARSHIPS PLACED IN COMMIS-
SION.
Philadelphia, March 10.-.The mont
tor Miantonomah and the ram Katah-
din were placed in commission at 1
o'clock this afternoon at the League
Island navy-yard. The MiantOnOmah
was commended by Captain Mortimer
l.. Johnson, and the Katahdin by Cap
tain George F. F. Wilde. Sixty-Cne
seamen arrived at the yard for the
two irOnclads, eleven from Boston for
the Miantonomah and fifty from New
York for the Katahdin. They wen.
aboard their respective vessels imnred-
lately. Ammunition will be placed on
To 0pu~~