The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1898-04-26
nFCl ARATION OF WAR
TO BE MAD TODAY
The President Will Send a Special Message to congress
To-Day Asking for Formal Declaration OF war
Spain Also Considers a Declaration.

preparations for the transportation Of the
troons overland and also to Cuba. for
which a large number of vessels VIII be
chartered. In the Quarter Master OF
flee nearly the whole clerical force was
on hand. The details are far from
complete. but Quarter Master General
Ludington believes everything Will be III
readiness by the time the troops are
ready to move. Some understanding
with the railroads on the basis of UNI
form rates Of travel will be arranged il
possible so that the soldiers may be sent
bv he shortest possible route With the
least charge to the government. CUES
lions of equipment of the troops with
uniforms and tents are also TO be set
tied. although many of the State or
CARNATIONS are prepared in this respect.
1t is said at the Navy Department
that al the Naval Militia which will be
used in the deeD sea patrol vessels III
ready have been ordered to them. Those
remaining will be utilized in manning
the signal stations along the coast and
the vessels Of the close shore auxiliary
fleet.
Commander Richardson Glover expects
that the gun boat Bancroft which he IS
to command and which is now undergo
ing repairs ut Boston will sail for Nor
| folk in Il few days to take on her ammu-
milton. The probability is that the YES
| sci then will be sent to join Admiral
| SIMPSONS fleet.
/ 1t is said to be definitely settled that
| Captain Albert S. Barker. Il member of
the Joint Army and Navy Defense Plan
Board. will command the protected cruis-
er Newark now fitting out at Norfolk.
She will be ready for services some time
in May.
Assistant Secretary Roosevelt to-day
announced that the government had pnr-
chased the steam yacht Aileen for the
auxiliary navy. This vessel like so many
others that have been acquired. is of
light draught and cXcellcntly fitted for
patrol duty in shallow waters. She is
Of 131 tons gross register. 40 feet long
and % feet beam.
1t was said at the Navy Department
to-day that no additional information
had been received of the movements OF
the Spanish fleets. r~endezvoused at Cadi2
and at the Cane Verde Islands. Every
step taken by these fleets is promptly
reported to the department by the agents
abroad. One officer explained to-day
that IT was very necessary to receive
with the greatest caution reports of tho
movements of the Spanish ships as Spain
fliluliilH tIN Ill every Way 10 HIS
lead the United States.
Most of the vessels Of the Asiastit
Squadron, which according to the Asso
ciated Press dispatches is to sail Will
sealed orders. according to the --latest
published advices were rendczvoused q,
Hong Kong. The squadron is under
command and is made IN Of seven yes
sells including the coal Golfers recently
purchased by the department. The
Olympia. Il protected cruiser, is the flag
ship. with Il speed of over twenty-ont
knots, while the other Shins are tn,
=. perfected cruiser Baltimore of twenty
knots. the protected cruiser Raleigh o
nineteen knots. the protected cruise
Loston of fifteen and Onc-half knots. thu
gun boat Concord of nearly seventeen
knots. the gun boat Petrol Of nearly
!, twelve knots and the iron ship Monoca
=, cy Of eleven knots.
SPAIN ABOUT TO DECLARE WAR
V London. April o4.-It is announced il
: n special dispatch from Madrid tina
Spain may formally declare war agains
The United States as Il result of the cap
tnre of the Spanish steamer "Buen:
Ventura"
SPANISH PLAN OF CAMPAIGN.
g Madrid, April 24.-It is believed tina
t the Spanish admirals. at their meetin
d yesterday. approved of Il plan of cam
: palgn against the United States. A
r information on the subject. naturally. j
refused.
The rush to change paper currency fo
q silver has ceased, thus ending the mono
! tary crisis.
\ high official asserts that the power
are still comforting. with results whic
q are expected TO benefit Spain.
The impartial prints 4 list of til
+ American ships in the Mediterranea
# pointing out that they will be easy pre-
r for the Spanish war ships.
:, HAVANA FIRES on FLEET.
e.
:. The Capture of Spanish Vessels bv II