The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1898-04-29
SPANISH SPIES
ARE ABOUT.
Government Believes They
Blew Up the Pow.
der Mills.

Washington. April aS-Spa nish spies
are known to be at work not only in
Washington but in all parts Of the coun-
try. The explosion of Che powder mill at
San Francisco several days ago, and the
explosion OF the powder mill at Dover. N.
r., arc believed here to have been caused
by Spanish agents.
When the dynamite cruiser Vesu vius
was lying IN the Potomac near tho Navy
Yard, several weeks ago, dynamite bomb
was found In the coal sheds. Coal from
these sheds was being put on the Vesuvius
This fact and the suspicious actions of
some visitors caused an order to BIO Issued
forbidding any strangers whatever from
going on board the Vesuyius without a
pass.
Several days ago bomb was found in
one of the committee rooms under the
Senate Chamber 1t WAS u cell from an
electric battery, filled with nitro-glyc
and wrapped around with guncotton.
Captain Baird, superintendent Of build
ings In tho War, Navy and State depart-
ments, took up all the passes issued to
newspaper men and requested that fresh
applications be made.
This was done because Captain Baird
had reason to believe that Spanish spies
had secured possession of passes. Admis-
sion to the building after O'Clock IN the
afternoon ia secured by the presentation Of
Captain Baird's passes. 1t would be a great
stroke for Spanish spies to wreck this pub.
lie building. or some portion of 1t, and in
that way secure the secret war plans Of
the country
Two men, believed to be Spanish secret
agents, approached colored expressman
named Smith in South Washington last
night and explained that they were desir.
Gus of engaging man to row them down
the river. The presumptive Spanish agents
displayed roll of bills and offered Smith
Us to act rs boatman.
They inquired about the possibility Of
torpedoes being planted In the river and
about the character Of tho Notifications
around Washington. Smith declined to
act as boatman and declared he knew
nothing about the Notifications or torpe-
does, subsequently they started for the
electric cars which 60 to Alexandria, end,
meeting n crowd, Invited several Of the
more Intelligent into a saloon, where
drinks were bought by the strangers and
inquiries made rs to the Notifications and
submarine mines that might bs planted
in the Potomac River.
The strangers finally left for AIexa n
dria These facts were reported to the po-
lice station, and shortly afterward George
Carter appeared there with similar story
of being approached and asked about
Washington's detences.
1t Is believed the former Spanish Minis
ter, Sonor Polo y Bernabe, who Is In To-
ronto. is directing band Of secret agents
In this country. He has with him Senior
DuBoso, who was Charge d. Affaires of the
Spanish Legation after Dupuy de LONE
went home and handled Spanish corrup-
ton funds, designed to prevent legislation
antagonistic to Spain.
Newport News, Va, April 2S-Ever since
war with Spain became q certainty the
authorities at tho Ishipyard here have kept
sharp lookout to guard against the pos
sihility of Spanish spies doing some dam
ago to tho three first class battlcships now
being built hore.
Tho forco of watohmen at me yard has
been doubled recently and no one is allow
ed to pass it without q special permit from
man and two women andeayored to gain
an entrance to the shipbulding plant. But
the Waterman refused to permit them to
pass in Later in the day the same man
and women tried 10 pass into tho yard at
the extreme north end OF the works, where
the high fenco runs out into tho shallow
water At low tide a person can pass
around this fence by wading in u foot OF
water When discovered the intruders
beat hasty retreat.
Atlanta, Ga, April Ex-Governor At
klnson to-day received letter from DR..
James l.. Long of Good Hope. Ga, saying
that Spanish spies were planning to wreck
bridges and blow up trains bearing troops
to Koy West
New Orleans, April 29.-Tho Govern.
ment engineer officer at Port Fades has
arrested man believed to DO u, Spanish
tpy. He gave his name as John Walsh
and his home as New Orleans. Several
undeveloped films and maps descriptive OF
the river and Government works ut Port
. Eads were found on him. The prisoner Is
held pondlng the activities of the army
mi hOritias