The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1898-03-22

IG1ldDle.
Along with the semi-official state
ment from Madrid that a emand for
Under @p'-y will be Indignantly repelled,
is I .drther statement from reliable
sources that Spain has made ii clear
to the authorities here that %interven-
tion may lead I war. The pr aspects of
such intervention appear TO be serious
ly entertained by Spain, and strong
efforts have been made to avert 1t by
showing that the condition OF the re-
concentrates did not warrant the step,
and also that it would threaten TO end
the prospects of further pacific nego-
tiations.
Both governments have been sounding
each other on the activity of the other
in searching for ships, but there has
been little ground for objection on
either side, as both ave beer in the
same markets. The administration x
plains it's buying Of ships ON h
ground that SPANS attitude has been
so menacing as naturally to call for an
augmented navy, while Spain k the
same view that the activity in the
United States requires suitable pre-
parations by the Spanish navy.
The report that Spain had protested
against a filBbustering expedition to
Porto Rico cannot be verified, as Off
Gals here say this expedition has not
yet got way.
COURTS REPORT EXPECTED To-
DAY.
The president expects the report Of
the court of inquiry tomorrow or next
day. Both the president and the sec
rotary are determined tfat no efforts
be spared to maintain the secrecy of
the vel dict until they themselves have
have determined to give it publicity,
Therefore, even the admit Ibly designed
naval cipher code will not be relied
upon and at the presidents
Admiral Sicard was requested to place
the documents in the custody of some
naval officer, according TO the usual
method, and forward them to Wash
ington in that manner. 1t lis net known
positively that the conclusions Of the
board are final, but if the ordinary
routine of the courts inquiry has been
followed in this ease they probably are
so unless the secretary of the navy be-
lieves, after looking n the testimony,
III some lines of investigation should
be further pursued.
LARGEST WAR PREPARATIONS
YET MADE.
The largest measure of preparation
yet made by the war department. to
meet the contingencies of the future,
probably has just been completed. 1t
is the preparation of a bill providing,
among other sections, for the placlng
of the army on a war footing for the
full strength of 104, 900 men. The bill
has been carefully gone over by the
war department and was introduced in
the house by Representative Hull,
chairman of the house comrrHttee on
mil affairs, who it is expected Will
us. it vigorously, inasmUch as 1t is an
administration measure.
OUR RESERVE MILITARY FORCE.
In view of the possibility of a con-
fict with Spain considerable interest
centres lust now in the strength of the
militia force CT the United States wh1ch
would be liable to be called upon IN
case of necessity. According to latest
reports the total organized Strengun or
the militia of the United States is ll4,-
1862 men, While the number or men
available for military duty (u1organ-
ized) is 1890. 339.
The Spanish minister, Senior Polo, re-
eeived q dispatch today from Captain
General Blanco, as follows: 1.-The
council of secretaries, under my presl-
dency, has resolved to prorogue In all
parts of the island, UP to March 81,
1899. a decree of April, 1897, relative TO
the SUSPENSION of proceed ngs against
landed estates, unless the insular
lature takes special action on the SUD-
ject." The effect of this, 1T is explain
ed, is to do away with the taxes on
those lands which have been devas-
tated and have become unproductlVe.
SPAIN WILL PAY NO INDEMNITY
Madrid, March THE Following
semi official note was issued mere To-
day: The report CT the Spanish COM
mission on the Maine is rot yet known;
but the statement of several techn1cal
officers who have made a close ex-
minatio of the ccene of the disaster
shows it was indisputably due to an
internal accident. American. asser =
tions to the contrary are, theTefore,
deplored in official quarters as tending
to mislead public opinion and render
the situation still more difficult from
the standpoint of maintaining friend
ly relations between two countries. 1t
may be regarded as certain that should
the American technical commission pre-
sent a report declaring the disaster to
be due to an external explosion the
public here will refuse to accept the
finding, and any demand for an indem-
nifty based thereon will be Indignantly
repealed by SPAIN" .
SPANS FLOTILLA STOPPED.
Madrid, March 17.-Admiral Bermejo,
the minister of marine, has wired the
commander of the torpedo fioti4la at
the Canaries not to proceed to Havana.
Havana, March 17.-Gentral Pando,
concerning whose safety anxiety has
been expressed i'm some circles, ar
rived this morning at CiegO de Avila,
in the middle of the military trocha
extending between Moron and Jucuro,
in the province OF Puerto Principe.
General Blanco, at the banquet last
night to the officers of the Vizcaya
and the Almirante Oquando toasted:
The King, the Queen-Regent, the
Army and the Navy of Spain. He said:
The political generation will never
see another banner than hat Of Spain
at the entrance to the gulf Of Mexico.
That banner, representing civilization,
progress, liberty, humanity and relig-
ion, will be eternal, like that of the
first American nation The sentiments
were received with shouts of approval
and cheers. i.'hts}HG3
Admiral Manterola, responding on be-
half of the navy, said; In union the