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

London, May 3.-It is announced in
a special dispatch from Madrid that
there is no idea of surrender there,
either in ministerial circles or among
the populace. On the contrary, it is
added, the war is to be pursued with
greater vigor. This special dispatch
adds that it is even stated at Madrid,
by those who are responsible for the
naval movements that it has been de-
termined to avoid isolated combats on
unequal terms and with a superior enc
my, and that they now intend to throw
the whole universal strength of Spain
into one supreme force to crush the
American squadron in Cuban waters.
Continuing the special says: Until
this engagement is fought, no proposal
for intervention will be listened to-"
IA Cadiz dispatch say ~1at the second
Spanish squadron, consisting Of the
Palayo, Alfonso XIII. and Vittoria, and
a numbe-, of smaller ships has
nearly completed it's prepara-
tiOnS for active service. Ut is report
ed, however, that great difficulty is ex-
periecced in fitting out the ships, ow-
ing to the lack of money. The Brit
ish engineers have refused to serve on
board of them, owing, it is said to the
belief that they are liable to heavy
punishment under the foreign enlist
ment act.
The Spanish auxiliary cruiser Garda
has, it is announced taken fourteen
guns on board, and is now on a trial
cruise.
London, May "A special dispatch
from Ma 6ri6 the Sno niSh ia
office has advices of the beginning of
the bomba rdment of Manila, before
the cable was cut, which said: THUS
far the American shells have not reach
ed the town proper, which is strongly
protected.' Continuing, the advices to
the colonial office at Madrid are said
TO have read "'Only the outlying ma
tive quarters have suffered. They are
now in flames. Occasionally shell fell
in the European town, where few
houses were struck. The batteries of
the citadel, especially the six large
guns, are vigorously replying to the
American fire and have inflicted con-
siderable damage on the fleet"
THE SPANISH CABINET.
The Madrid correspondent of the Ev-
ening News cables the following mes
sage to this paper:
although Premier Sagasta's con-
ferences with the queen regent and lib
eral leaders, Montero and Rio lead to
rumors of the formation of a national
government, the facts are that SenOr
SagaSta placed the situation before the
queen regent, explaining that the sig
nificance of the events in the Philip
pine islands indicated certain possible
solutions for the future. ThereupOn
the queen expressed continued conf
dence in the government which will
continue as now constituted, for the
. present.
"Senors Gamazo and Montero express
the opinion that the present cabinet
should continue in power.
The ministers met at SenOr SagaS-
ta's residence yesterday evening and
the premier communicated to them the
result of his interview with the queen
regent.
'~rhe queen regent and the cabinet
have agreed that the cortes should con-
finne in session
'Senor Salmeron has given notice
that he will interpellate the govern
ment on the events in the Philippine
ply, Voicing the intention of the
queens government to pursue the war
10 the btter end.
'It is Tumored that Senor Gasset will
propose that the present minister Of
marine, admiral Bermejo and his pre-
decessor, Admiral Beranger, be forced
ITO assume responsibility for the Phil
Sppine disa .Ster.
THE patriotic feeling here is in
eseasing.
The Spanish officials say that when
Commodore dewey demanded the sur
render of tfr.> Spanish guns, torpedOes
etc. Governor General August replied:
Cone and face the music"
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