The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1898-04-28

tuTd, Is vessel Ol ABOUT 1000 tOuS
which sailed recently from Pascagoula
Miss, for Rotterdam loaded with
lumber. A gun was fired from the
port battery of the Nashville but the
enemy's ship held her way having
given the shot. For two minutes the
Nashville kept up the chase and then
tried another shot that passed appar-
emily within a rod of the Spaniard's
bow and splashed the spray from the
crest of the waves for mile beyond.
The officer on the Spaniard's bridge
at once reversed her engines, while
a man ran aft and hastily lowered her
flag.
The Buena Venturas officers and
men appeared to accept their situation
as gracefully as possible.
Another great event, which, how.
ever, lacks official confirmation, is
contained in the report that Minister
Sewell and Admiral Miller took for.
NAL possession of the Hawaiian Is
lands in the name of the United
States as coaling station on April
IS.
| Owing to the secrecy which must
naturally attend acts of war, it is i'm
possible to gain any information re-
garding this report at the War and
Navy Departments. 1t is generally
believed, however, among members
Of Congress, most of whom look upon
such an action as good strategical
move. Hawaii would form an excell-
ent base of operations for a Spanish
fleet which might attempt havoc on
the Pacific coast, where the fortifca-
tions are by no means as modern or
numerous as on the Atlantic coast.
While there is no knowledge that
Spain contemplates any naval opera
lions in Pacific waters, still it is the
unexpected that must be looked for
and guarded against in time of war,
so the seizure of Hawaii is regarded
as timely precautionary measure.
The notice of the blockade of
Havana is not expected to precipitate
naval hostilities. The American war
vessels will remain we'll out of range
of the guns of Moro Castle and the
shore batteries/so so that there is no
likelihood of gun being fired for an
indefinite period.
Three more Spanish vessels were
taken to-day. The newly captured
prizes are the Spanish steam ship
Miguel lover, valued $500, 900. She
belonged to the Pinillo Line BARGE
Iona. She was captured by the United
States gun boat Helena.
The Helena did not start with the
feet yesterday morning but remained
at Key West, until today, when she
steamed out to sea. She was cruising
about $50 miles in southwesterly
direction when the Jover hove in sight
The Helena fired blank shot and
the Jover instantly hove to. The
lover was bound from New Orleans
for Barcelona, via Havana.
The United States cruiser Detroit
fired on and captured the Spanish
steamer Catalina, 349I tons which
left Cadig March 7, and was bound
from New Orleans for Barcelona via
Havana, for which latter port she was
making when taken. When the first
shot was fired her captain made q
desperate effort to escape, and the
chase was prolonged for eight miles
; Finally solid shot brought her to
, She was carrying a cargo of 6ooc
bundles of slaves. The other Span
lsh vessel captured was the Saturnins
at Ship Island, Miss. She was taker
. by the United States revenue cutter
. Winona.
MONDAY.
} War against Spain was formally de-
!. clared to-day by the Congress of the
United States, the joint resolution te
that effect adopted by Congress wa.
signed by the President. AS set forth
In the Presidents message requesting