The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1898-04-08


ernment as dispatch BOAT.
Chattanooga, Tenn, April 6.-Prepa-
ra'tionS are rapidly going on mere for
the reception of the government troops
at Chickamauga park The statement
sent out from Atlanta that there rs an
inadequate supply of water is without
foundation, and ridiculous, in view Of
the fact that Chickamauga river runs
through the reservation. All the avail
able regiments Of infantry in the army
are expected to be in camp here by the
early part Of the week.
Paris, April 6.-The United States
government has purchased in France
a considerable quantity Of ammunition
and a number Of quick-f guns.
Hong Kong, April 6.-The United
States fleet Is preparing to go to sea,
and supplies Of coal are being purchas-
ed for the use of the American war
ships.
The United States authorities have
purchased the British steamer Nanshan
which will be used as a store ship.
Springfield, Mass, April 6.-Three
hundred men employed at the United
States armory here were discharged
this afternoon on orders from Wash
ingtOn. These men were employed on
the old Springfield rifles.
OUR PROPOSED NAVAL CAM
PAIGN.
Washington, April 6.-The plan of
action of the naval forces in the event
of hostilities is now practically COM
pleted, IS a result Of several weeks
constant work on the part of the Off
GERS to whom was entrusted this i'm
portant feature of the war prepara-
tions. While these plans are naturally
most closely guarded, is may be stated
on high authority that one feature of
them contemplates a dash by the fly
ing squadron under Commander Schley
to Canary island. This proposition is
as yet tentative, as all projects subject
to unforeseen conditions must be, but
has received most careful considera-
tion by the naval authorities.
The gunboat DiOgenes, recently pur
chased in England, has been renamed
Topeka" after Kansas capital.
"A telegram received at the navy de-
partment today from the naval at
atche at London announced that the
Spanish officials have contracted with
Vickers SC.is, Maxim and other Euro
pean rlt..ffc turers, for the prompt
delievery of 100000 stand Cf small arms
and the necessary ammunition.
Captain Sampsons big war fleet at
Key West will be still further strength
ened in a day or two by the arrival of
the double turreted monitor Amphi-
ing for that purpose.
Madrid, April 6.-The hope of reach
ing a peaceful settlement with the
United States is growing stronger. Tt
is reported that the basis of an armis-
tice i'm Cuba has been arranged. If
this he true a royal decree will appear
In The Gazette tomorrow or Friday an
nouncing the conclusion of an armis-
tice.
The Vizcaya and the Almirante Oqu-
endo will await orders at Puerto Rico.
London, April The Rome corre-
spondent of The Daily Mails says: ''The
pope's mediation will probably not go
further, as President Mckinley has de-
clared that an arnlistice with the Gu
bans would not go to the root of the
matter"
CUBAINS WILL HAV E NOTHING
BUT INDEPENDENCE.
New York, April 6.-The Cuban jun
ta, through its counsel, Horatio S. Ru-
bens, made an important statement to-
day. Tt declared in the most unequiv-
Oca1 language that the Cuban prOVis-
iOna government and the Cuban army
would reject absolutely intervention
by the United States unless it should
be preceded by recognition of the in
dependence of the Cuban republic; that
if the United States persisted in inter
vening without recognizing Cuban i'm
dependence, the Cuban government
and military forces would refuse to Co
operate; and that if United States
troops should be sent to Cuba upon the
basis of intervention without recOgni-
ton, the Cuban army would in the last
resort turn its arms against the Unit
ed States.
This evening, Mr.. Horatio S. Rubens
al ha 1N1,1,a ta Mt
ed his utterances of this afternoon with
this written statement over his sigma
ture:
THE statement appearing over my
name in the evening papers was based
OH the indications appearing, that the
object CT the United States in refusing
| to recognize the independence of Cuba
| was to annex the island to the United
| States. Tt was i'm view of this fact that
expressed the determination of the
! Cuban army to resist. We would, OF
course, welcome the American army tC
| aid us in achieving our independence
! Washington. April 6.-When the dis
patch containing Mr. Reubens' state.
| ment was shown to Thomas Estrada
| Palma, the representative in the Unit
| ed States of the Cuban republic, wht
| arrived in Washington this morning, ht
| said: Il cannot say anything abOu
this dispatch until I communicate will
| Mr.. ReubenS.' Tt was made eviden
| from his manner that he did not for
| moment consider the possibility of suGl
| an unwise statement being made b,
| the associated counsel.
Minister Palma did not hesitate t,
| reiterate with great emphasis, his re
| cent declaration that intervention 70
| the purpose of establishing autonom.
| in the island would not be accepted any
| that Cuba would become independent
AMERICANS LEAVING HAVANA.
Key West, April $40 p m.-Th
| Mascctte arrived with ninety-six pas
| Sengers on board. She is coaling a
| the government dock and will retur1
| to Havana as soon as through. ConSu
| General Lee did not come. There i
great excitement here. Every state
| room on the Mascotte was engaged
The City Of Key West will have biI
| crowd tomorrow. 1T rs reported tina
| there is great excitement in Havana
Consul General Lee is standing firm