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

on Monday. u * impossible for them
to cur clearance papers sooner.
EVENTS IN HAVANA.
Havana, via Key West. Fla. April
1.-The week just CLOSING has not lack
Cd in events. An realize that a big
game Is being played in a larger
theatre, Madrid and Washington. The
principal happenings here since last
Wednesday have been:
First. General Blanco's order abolish
ing recommendation and directing the
mayors, alcaldes and other officials 10
provide food for the destitute and en-
ploymeTt for those able to work; sec
ond. the telegram TO President McKin-
ley from Senior Galvez. president Of
the colonial cabinet, begging for more
time for the trial Of autonomy; third,
the departure OF the cruisers NiZcaya
and Atmirante OQuendo; fourth, the
war scare in aVan on Thursday
igh after Capuain General Blanco
had called the olonels of the vulun-
teers to the palace for advice and a
declaration Of fealty; fifth, the waken-
ing of all classes of the people 10 the
fact that seige and suffering in Ha-
vana are at least possible, If not prob
able, with a bitter feeling toward
Americans and America consequent
upon nat knowledge.
As to Genera BlancO's orders regard
ing RECOMMENDATION, the papers praise
it, though in a somewhat ~perfunctory
fashion. Sc far as cam be learned not
a single r~econcentrado has left the
shelter of city or town for the country;
nor is any likely to do SO, 50 long as
it is possible that they will fall an easy
prey to Spanish guerillaS or Cuban in
surgents. There are disSentionS in the
autonomist cabinet and rumOrS are
rife that SenOres DELI. Cow and Mon
+,-N -z-~An-;y-n1,- ,,,t,s-+n~ ~ ,N.-e~ anI
telegraphs, minister Of the interior and
minister of finance, have resigned.
These rumOrs however, are not con-
firrned.
On Thursday night a story was bruit-
ed about, first quietly, then openly, that
war had been declared. The result was
that in all quarters of Havana great
persuasion had to be used by men of
good judgment to prevent a demonstra-
ton, the results of which it Would be
hard to forsee. Up to that night the
correspondents had really nothing to
complain of in the treatment they re-
ceived at the hands of the van peo-
pie.
The intelligent people here believe
that the big cruisers XiZcaya and Ami
rante OquendO are bound for Porto
Rico to meet and if necessary, protect
and furnish supplies TO the torpedo flo
tilla, now at the Cape de Verde is
lands.
/ United States Consul Lee maintains
a calm cheerfulness Throughout all the
rumOrs and excitement. He is con-
stantly watched, in accordance with
government orders, but goes his way
as if he were in Richmond, declining
to regard as serious the numerous and
I constantly recurring threats against
his life. He is armed, of course, and
some times says he has not forgotten
the lessons of his youth in pistol prac-
tice.
arrived here this morning without a
single passenger except Cubans or
Spaniards. She left for the north with
'immunes' only. The Ward Line
steamer Lampasas, which was due to
sail for New York this afternoon, had
sold every state room.
RUMORS AS TO THE FLOTILLA.
News was received at the palace late
tonight to the effect that the Spanish
torpedo flOtilla has arrived at the is
hand of Martinique. where the destroy
ers are busy mounting rapid-fire guns
brought on the transport which ac-
cOmpanied the fleet and not heretofore
in position on the d~eStroyers. Accord
ing to these advices the Vizcaya and
the Almirante OQuendo nave gone to
Martinique to meet the torpedo fiotilla.
The gurboat Martin AlonZo Pinzon and
the other Spanish %gunboats stationed
at " go in and out Of the harbor
and patrol the nearby coast.
1t is fully believed that a United
States squadron of three vessels was
off the north coast yesterday morning.
The government is said to be discuss
ing the question of declaring martial
law throughout the island.
CONSULS PREPARED TO LEAVE
CUBA.
Washington, April 1.-The Post to-
morrow will say: "Di1 ections have
been given to the ~consuls in Cuba to
repair to Havana, in order that they
may be able to cave the island without
DANCE in case of war. Arrangements
have been made for General Lees safe
withdrawal, if such action becomes ne
cesSary. The American newspaper cor
respondents in Havana are also to be
given tho utmost protection and they
will be allowed TO leave with General
Lee.
Senator Plat, of New York, who has
taken great interest i'm the arrange
ments for the protection Of the CORE
S~pondentS, has had an interview with
Assistant Secretary Day upon the sub
ject.
TO MAN PRIVATEERS.
adrp April lit IS reported that
the Spanish naval department has re-
cefved numerous o~vertures from the
native and foreign mercantile marine
to prepare privateers.
SagaSta is alive to the gravity
of rhe situation, n seems inclined to
believe this bold front will deter the
United States from pushing its de-
mands into war.
The report published in The Impair
cial that United States Minister Wood
ford was preparing to leave Madrid is
entirely without foundation.
Strong pressude Is being brought to
e by some of the European powers
upon the queen regent and the cabinet
for the granting of an immediate ar
mistice, 10 take effect as soon as the
insurgents shall accept the proposition,
thus securing time for negotiations in
Cuba between the ~autonomist govern
ment and the insurgents looking TO the
establishment OF "a permanent peace.
It is not known what decision Spain
will take in the mafrrar