The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1898-04-22

Will be Tor MIN TO ask 1Or MS passports
and leave Madrid. That would be fol-
lowed instantly by the withdrawal
from Washington of Senior Polo, the
Spanish minister. At this point, it can
be said that the state department Of
ficials are confident that the Spanish
government will SO shape every phase
Of the negotiations as to Oblige us to
take the initiative at every point. After
the withdrawal of the ministers, and
assuming Spain does not back down,
will follow actual war, but whether or
not the first overt act will be preced
ed by a formal declaration of war,
which would insure the immediate neu-
traliZatiOn of the powers, or whether
the North Atlantic squadron will make
it's appearance off Havana as a be-
ginning, cannot yet be predicted. In
this connection, it may be stated that
the army and navy experts are begin
nings to take a less hopeful view of an
easy and quick campaign than they en-
tertained a short time ago. Months
are now mentioned instead of weeks as
the probably length of hostilities and
one eminent naval officer, who had eX
perience in the late war, processes a
belief that unless outside pressure is
brought to bear, the war may easily drag
along for a year under the existing
conditions.
Apparently the powers have aban-
daned open efforts in Washington to
influence the course of our government.
Matters were very quiet at all the le-
cations today and no instructions were
received by any of the ambassadors
or ministers in the line of mediation.
THE ULTIMATUM TO SPAIN.
'The ultimatum," said one member
of the cabinet after the meeting today,
has been agreed upon in substance,
but has not yet been formally drawn
up. It's preparation has been entrust-
ed to Assistant Secretary Day, of the
state department. 1t will be sent Spain
tomorrow and will reach Madrid in
the evening, the difference in time be-
tween this country and Spain being
about six hours. I think you are safe
in saying that Spain will be given for
ty-eight hours, that is until Friday
evening, to submit her reply. In ac-
cordance with the terms Of the resolu
ton the president will demand that
Spain shall evacuate the island. The
demand for this will be fiat footed and
absolute and no tentative or halfway
reply will satisfy the president. Nor
will any compromise that cOntemplates
the withdrawal of Spain's troops from
the island and the subsequent re-es-
tabliShment of Spanish control or the
raising of the Spanish flag over the
country be accepted by the administra-
ton Possibly it may be that a sug
gestion that the matter has been re-
ferred to the cortes, which meets to-
morrow, for it's consideration may be
instrumental in pOstponing for a brief
time the putting into effect of the con-
gressional resolution, but the presi-
dent is disposed not to brook any fur
ther delay. 1t is only fair that in a
great crisis like this reasonable time
shall be given.
IF Spain refuses to evacuate Cuba
prompt measures will be adopted to
put into force the congressional resO-
luton. A blockade of Cuba will, so far
as is at present understood, be begun
at once. There are an adequate num-
ber of war vessels in the vicinity to
make this effective. l think such sup
plies as the Spaniards now control will
not last them more than a month. Then
steps taken with view of increasing
the equipment of Gomezs soldiers and
furnishing them with sufficient hard
tack for food will enable him to har-
raSS the Spaniards from the rear which
will materially assist in bringing them
to terms. My own individual idea is
that it VIII probably take two months
to bring about the results which will
compel the Spaniards to evacuate and
enable the island to be occupied by the
United States without p1olestation.
No, the United States government
Will not issue any letters of marQue
and reprisal not cOuntenance privateer-
ing, but if the Spanish government
chooses to enter upon this line of war
fare she will have to deal with the ma
tions of Europe with whose commerce
she seeks to interfere"
BILL TO INCREASE THE ARMY.
The war department bill to provide
for temporarily increasing the military
establishment in time of war was sent
today to Chairman Hull, of the house
military affairs committee and Senator
Hawley, the chairman of the similar
committee in the senate. The measure
was prepared under the immediate su-
pervision of Assistant Secretary Mel
keljohn after thorough and careful
study of the best interests of the SER
vice. In transmitting the bill 20 con-
gress a request is made for favorable
consideration, and, in view of the ex-
lgencies of the situation, speedy action
is expected. In time of war the army
is TO consist of two branches, the regu-
lar and the volunteer army, the latter
10 De maintained only during the ex-
istence of war or while war Is immi-
nent and is to be raised and organized
only after congress authorizes it. All
enllstments for the volunteer army
are TO be for three years, unless soon
er terminated. All the regimental and
company officers Of the volunteer army
are to be appointed by the president
upon the recommendations Of the gov