The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1898-05-06

d the first expedition to Cuba
have ben ordered to proceed to Tampa.
She officials, however, decline to make
public any information regarding the
expedition or the place in Cuba where
it is to land.
The quartermaster's department has
been negotiating with railroad COM
panies for the transportation of the
volunteers to their mobilizing points.
The late reports hat Manila was be-
ing bOmbarded caused much uneasiness
at the foreign headquarters. 1t was
said that If the town itself was under
bOmbardment serious complications
might arise, as nOn-cOmbatants, and
the foreign colonies, it is held, should
have been entitled to at least twenty
four hours notice of an attack upon
the town proper If, however, Commo-
done Dewey is combining his lombard
ment to Cavite and other forts no such
questions can arise.
The Spanish reverse at Manila ser
iously depletes the Spanish navy at a
time when it is most in need of ships.
With the burning of the two cruisers
Reina Christina and the Castillo, Spain
has lost two of her best second-rate
cruisers. Aside from the Gripping of
the Spanish naval strength the burn
ing and the blowing up of the ships
specified, entails an actual money loss
running into the millions.
Surgeon General Sternberg has APP
pointed the following named persons
for service in the army. They will be
stationed at various places in the
south and may accompany the army
whent it undertakes the occupation Of
Cuba. Drs. John Guiteras, of Phila-
delphia; w. E. Parker, and w. w.
Calhoun, of New Orleans. who will be
stationed at Tampa; DR.. Barnard E.
Rarkpr Charleston. g q who will no
stationed at Key West and DR.. Aris-
tides AgramOnte, who is connected
with the health association of New
York city and is a Cuban by birth. His
assignment has not yet been determin-
ed upon. Further appointments to
these positions, which pay $3.50 per
month, will be made.
MAINTENANCE OF VOLUNTEERS.
A decision has been rendered by the
war department regarding the main
a of volunteer recruits, holding
that the time between enroll
ment and muster into the Uni
ted States service referred to
in the general orders of the department
as the interval during which the Unit
ed States will provide for the MAIN
tenance of volunteer recruits, cannot
ordinarily under the army regulations
exceed six days.
TO ELIMINATE THE TONNAGE
TAX.
The senate committee on finance
practically decided today to eliminate
the tonnage tax feature of the war rev.
enue bill to avOid irritating European
countries. Among other propositions
discussed by the finance committee in
connection with the revenue bill was
the n looking to a change in the pro-
~ - tI@ I:1I
manufactured tobacco, so as to exempt
the goods on hand of both articles from
taxation. When the committee ad-
j%Ourned h probability was that the
bill would be so amended. The amend
ments were not, however, absolutely
decided upon.
THANKS TO COMMODORE DEWEY.
Representative Licingston, of Geor-
gia, and Grout, of Vermont, introduced
resolutions today rendering the thanks
of congress to Commodore Dewey.
THE WAR DEFICIENCY BILL
The war deficiency bill, passed by
congress tOde~ carries an a%ppropria-
!, ton of $35, 72O, 945. The bill makes all
of the items available until January
/, 1899.
Fol the transportation of the army
and it's supplies Sc, 900, 900 is appropriate
ed. The fOrtification feature of the bill,
lncludlng cannon, ammunition, ma
chinery, etc, carries S. ,SS6, 800.
A significant feature is an a]ppropria-
ton of s150,O34 for the expeditionary
force to Cuba. With it is a foot note
from Major Nelson Miles urging that
the fund is required with the least pos
sible delay.
The largest item under any head is
$4,000 900 for clothing, capms and gar
rison equippage.