The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1898-04-05

did not explode under the Maine, as
no dead fish were found in the harbor.
Admiral Irwin IS an expert ON tor
pedOes and submarine explosions amd
he told the committee that he never
knew fish TO be killed by such explo-
siOns.
The White house was as usual a
central point in the great activity of
the day and the president saw many
public men. Some of them urged pOn
the president that the Maine incident
be put forward as a casus belli, the
general Cuban subject being subordi-
mated to it. Among these was Repre-
sentative Marsh, of Illinois, Who said,
after talking with the president: Il
went to see the president to tell him
hat the basis OF our declaration of
war should be the destruction of the
Maine and the slaughter of American
sailors. That was a foul and Intentional
blow at the American people, the
American flag and American honor. 1t
was done by Spanish authorities. 1t
was this foul blow which aroused the
American people. The general condi-
ton Of affairs is q blow at humanity;
THE other was a blow ait U.S."
MANY senators, including members of
the foreign relations committee, and
members of the house, today received
kilograms from conservative business
men in their states, cOunseling pacific
action toward Cuba. Some of the MEM
beers commented quite vigorously re-
garding them and the fact that they
seemed to come simultaneously from
different sections.
Late this afternoon, the nav depart
ment was informed of the sailing of
the Spanish ships Pelayo and the
Carlos V, from Havre and Toulon,
France. for Carthagena, Spain. The
officials suppose that these vessels have
been at the French ports for some ne
cessary repairs n are returning to
Carthagena where there is a Spanish
naval station for such additional
work ON them as may be necessary
preliminary to Amy active service they
may be called upon to perform. The
PelayO has twin screws, is $50 feet long
and sc feet beam. She is of $500 toms
displacement, has a speed of 1877 knots
and, besides a formidable armament,
carries eve torpedo tubes.
TO BUY MATERIAL FOR TORPEDO
DEFlENSES.
Secretary Alger today authorized an
allotment of 81, 600, 900 from the emer-
enc fund for the office OF the chief
of engineers. The entire amount will
be spent in purchasing material for the
torpedo defenses connected with the
seacOast Notifications. General Wilson,
chief of engineers, acted Omp as
soon as he received the allotment and
authorized the commanding officer at
WTllettS Point to proceed Immediately
to contract for the material required.
1t will be shipped at once to the places
needing torpedo denefses and work on
then will be pressed with all possible
speed.
ANOTHER CRUISER PURCHASED.
London, April 2.-Lieutenant Com
mander Colwell, the United States ma
val attachee here, this afternoon pur-
chased from the Thames Iron Works
for his government a cruiser of 1900
tons displacement and capable of speed
of Is knots. The vessel carries six
4.7-inch guns and ten smaller ones. She
is fitted with tWm-ScreWS and has a
protected deck. AT 5 O'Clock his af-
ternOon Lieutenant Commander Col
well hOisted the Stars and Stripes ON
the cruiser and had then obtained a
crew. The vessel will go to sea within
three days. Lieutenant Commander
Colwell says the price paid was very
reasonable.
NAVAL RESERVES ORDERED TO
BE IN READINESS.
Atlanta, Ga, April Ex-Governor At
krnSon today received Instructions
from the navy department at Washing
tom TO put the naval militia in readi-
ness for a sudden call and to examine
all vessels in the ports of this state
that can be used for a "mosuuito
fleet"
There are four divisions of naval mi
Iltla In Georgia. The first is under the
command of Lieutenant Frank D.
Aiken, of brunswick; the second under
| iA1vf mo Mt ny FS ToJ-
vannah; the third under Lieutenant
Clarence e. Branchton, of Savannah
and the torpedo division under the com
maTld of Lieutenant James S. Wright.
OF Brunswick. Acting Adjutant Cen
eral Brown issued the necessary or
ders tonight.
New Orleans, April 1.-THE command
er of the Louisiana naval battalion in
this city received orders by telegraph
this afternoon to hold his in
readiness to move at a moments no
tice.
Norfolk, Va. April 2.-The Montgom-
cry, painted dull lead color. decks
stripped for action came to the navy
yard today for repairs.
"A TUG FIRED ON.
Key West, Fla, April 1.-The mont
tor Terror arriver here this afternoon.
"A tug endeavored to pass the flag
snip New York too close last might and
Ord answer the signals of che war
snip, Whereupon a 4-pound shot was
fired across her bows. Those ON board
the tug received a severe fright. AFTER
the investigation which followed. the
tug was allowed to proceed into this
harbor. The call to quarters and the
firing OF the shot was done with ex-
traordinary qapidity and showed to
what pitch OF alertness this fleet has
attained.