, 1898-05-04

\ 4OAn A40 sac ~ J AnNh tHd
Spanish steamer "Montserrat' has safely
reached Cienfut COS, ble1king the American
blockade. She had OIL board one Thousand
soldiers, eight million pcsetas and eighteen
guns Of great value.
A special Havana telegram 10 The New
York 'Hernld" stiles that a despatch has
been received from Caldenas repoI ting that
the Spani, h g%unboat "Ligelo' and a Uni al,
States torpedo destroyer met fl Cayo Piedra'
the destroyer opened fire OH the g|unhoat
which accepted the challenge. The Amer.
can shortly after letreated, listing and
apparently considerably damaged.
A Madrid despatch states that General
BlancO has C 'hled that he 'Ligero'' lepulsed
three destloyers which endeayoured 10 enter
Cardenas.
The Spanish Governm mt has sent another
note to the Powers regretting tlr necessity
of being compelled to appeal to force to re.
pei the Scandalous aggreSsions IF the United
States and defend the national dignity and
integrity Of the fatherla"d.
Hong Kong new reports the arrival there
Of the Us. Consul from Manila, WHO state.
that the Sp,niards have moored the cruiser
"CastiIIa' off the port to act as Il floating
battery, here being no modem guns on shore.
London news announces that Il portion Of
the British Channel squadron has been order.
ed to leave the Balearic Islands for the West
Indies.
The "St. James Gazette London, contin-
ues its hostility to the u. S. 1t says that
neither Spain nor America are in tbs
least prepared for war, and that it will
be next autumn before the mobS of men
with muskets are tit to trust in the
field, and that they are no more at war
in the modern European SoLSe than would
H., 4lo SCroLDIi,,s nd hl;b, ko.i,,Ue "a
couple of South American republics.
Private dispatches from Cuba received in
Madrid repeat a story that $50 Americans
and $50 Cubans have recently landed at
Guiana Bacoa, under the command of the In.
surgent leader Lacret. A column of Spanish
troops has been sent to attack them.
London, April 29th.-As announced in
bulletin Of Dist inst. the derutation in con-
~nection with the Onti-Bounty League inter.
viewed MIR. A. j. BalfOur yesterday. The
deputation represented one hundred ana
eighty M.Ps.
Mr.. Balfour addressing the Deputation re-
cognized the importance of the meeting. bat
stated that he could not discuss the policy
of fee trade, and that controversies
should not affect the Governments policy
desirable, but tile uncertainty OF the
bounties question leads to serious conse-
quemoes in the West Indies. He did not
take exception TO prices governed by natural
laws, but considered that they should mol de-
pend on the arbitrary or casual action of
different governments.
The British Government. he said, quite
agree that bountieS should be ended, as APP
pears likely from the Powers agreeing to
attend the conference.
III conclusion he remarked that the Gov
eminent will do all that is possible, being
anxious to assist The oldest and most loyal of
the British dependencies, and hoped that
something would be done to restore the con-
dition Of the sugar industry.
London, April 30th.-The Times" in an
editorial commenting on the recent deputation
to MIR. A. j. BaIfour, expresses the opinion
that he substantially ogr0es with the views
Of the deputution asking for powers to Bri-
fish representatives at the forthcoming Con
ference to bring pressure to bear in support
OF those countries wishing to abolish bounties
by q penal clause. France is the only Power
against abolition, although she is spending
yearly four and d half millions sterling on
bounties.
1t further expresses he opinion That boun-
ties introduce an arbitrary element which
p"ralyzes credit. Germany. Austria. Belgium,
and Holland are apparently willing TO nbo4'
iNh hnunFi. G If Erat. a aUraom while rapOOniZ,