The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1898-03-11

yet, about the deportation of any or
the newspaper correspondents, except
Honor f. Lame, who was arrested on
Saturday last.
The United States naval court of in
quir-y into the loss CT the battleship
Maine, which is at present in session
here, pursued, in some respects, a diff
ferent course from that adopted upon
the occasion of the former visit of the
court tt, Havana 1t is now not I'm
common TO see members Of the court
on the wreck, personally directing the
navy divers and obtaining from them
direct reports on the steamer, the ac
tual condition of the submerged por'-
tions of the wreck and making individ-
Ual notes for future consideration.
AMERICAN SCHOONER CAPTURED
BY SPANISH
Havana, March S.-The Spanish gum
boat ArdilIa has captured i'll an inlet
near CalSilda, ON the south coast of
Cuba, the American schooner Esther,
of Edenton, n. c., bound from Pensa-
cola to Jamaica. The captain of the
schooner was asked TO give the reason
f6r the presence of his vessel i'm the
inlet and claimed that his rudder was
broken. No further details of the af-
fair have been received, but if the
statement of the captain of the Esther
turn out to be correct the schooner
will be liberated. The captain has pro-
tested against the seizure of mis- vessel.
The Esther is of 11.31 tens gross reg
lister.
TO INSPECT FORTIFICATIONS.
Key West, Fla, March S.-Brigader-
General John NJ. Wilson, chief of en-
gineers, L. S. A, arrived here today
from Tampa on board the Olivette.
General Wilson, it is understood will
return to Tampa ON tomorTow's boat
and will not visit the Tortugas. Ac
cording to official authority, he is here
merely to gain some slight relaxation
from his labors in engineering under
takingS on St. Johns river, Fla. On the
other hand, it is reported that his COM
ing had been anticipated fer several
days and that he will inspect Two land
batteries, recently finished, and get a
general insight into the condition Of
the fOrtifcati0ns here. He had long
conversations this evening with Rear
Admiral Sicard and the officers in
charge of the local land batteries now
nearing completion. Preparations have
been made at the Barracks to receive
General Wilson tomorrow. In the
event of his failing to visit the TOrtu-
gas, it is certain that he will fully dis
cuss the possibilities for offense and
defense of that station with Admiral
Sicard.
folk tonight.
The lighthouse supply steamer Ar
menia, after touching at the Tortugas
this morning, arrived here this after
noon. The American yacht Buccan-
neer, with Senator Ga1linger On board,
reached here this afternoon.
The receipt of news that Represen-
tative Cannons hill appropriating $780,
0OO,O00 for the purposes of national de-
fense had passed the house unanimous
ly created great enthusiasm among the
naval officers here. 1T is believed that
Key West and the Tortugas will re-
ceive good share of the amount.
The yacht Anita, from Norfolk,
bound for Havana, with Senator and
Mrs. ThurstOn, Senator Money and
Congressman Cummings and Smith on
board has arrived here.
SPAIN DID NOT MEAN ANYTHING.
Madrid. March S-A semi official
news agency of this city ISSUED today
the following announcement:
after brief uneasineSs there is
general belief now that peace will not
be broken and that the relations be-
tween Spain and the United States will
continue amicable. Political person.
ages assert that the late sensational
dispatches are completely wrong in at
tributing an aggressive tone to the
diplomatic relations between the two
governments, which have not for a
single moment lost their friendly
character
A semi-official note just issued de-
clares that the Spanish government
has not received any complaint regard
ing the attitude of General FitZhugh
Lee, the United States consul-general
at Havana, adding:
''On the contrary, Captain General
Blanco affirms that General Lees be
havior has always been correct.
Nevertheless, the incident serves to ex-
plain the origin of the i'll will between
the two countries. This is proved by
sta temenlts attributed to Secretary
Sherman, by which the jingoes have
created the belief in the United States
that Spain is trying to provoke war,
while ait the same time engenderins
the feeling in Spain that it is the Unit
ed States which demands the opening
of hostilities. 1t is essential that this
double game should be ended in order
to prevent two countries from going to
war without motives, and without
either of them desiring it.
SPAIN BUYS THE WARSHIPS.
uOnOOn, .MaTcn S.-lUle tTSllSn news
papers today confirm the news of
Spain's purchase of warships. The ST.
James Gazette, which yesterday pub
lished the denials Of the Spanish en-
baSSy and Spanish naval commission,
which has an office in London, says to-
day: 'It is ascertained on very high
authority, in spite of denials, that the
Spanish government has almost GER
tainly succeeded in buying three nearly
completed cruisers here, and two coast
defense vessels which are about to be
launched in France. Experts are all
most as much surprised at the success
Of Madrid in raising money as by the
clever diplomacy which secured the
Chilian and Brazilian cruisers of the
Armstrong; at coast believed to be
e. ,00O, 600 almost before the move was
suspected
Inquiry made here among f1nanciers
and diplomats who are most likely to
know amy facts in the case reveals gen.
eral scepticiSm in connection with the
raportS THAT q SrsapiSh loan loc .hooy,