The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1898-04-26
Settled at a Meeting of
Board of AdmiralS.
The PLAN KEPT SECRET.
To Prey Upon Americas ships In the
ean-Insurrccsion in Port O
Rico - Martial law Americans I'm
Danser-Spain Adopts PrivateerinS z
Applications for Letters Of Marau~.
The Pope Blesses the Spanish Arms.
Spain TO Declare War-Demonstra.
tfOn I'm Madrid.

The Pope Blesses the Spanish Arm..
ton I'm Madrid.
Madrid, April 24-It is believed that
the Spanish admirals. at their meeting
yesterday, approved of n plan of cam
patgn against the United States. All in
formation on the subject. naturally. is
refused.
The rush to change paper currency foY
silver has ceased, thus ending the mon
etary crisis.
high official asserts that the powers
are still comforting. with results which
are expected 10 benefit Spain. The tone
of the Portuguese press is friendly to
Spain.
The impartial prints list OF the
American ships in the Mediterranean
pointing out that they will be easy prey
for the Spanish warships.
The cabinet council today approved the
general budget. Despite statements pub
lished in New York to the contrary. il is
declared here that the Spanish navy is
fully supplied with coal. The govern
ment has received no official informa ton
of the capture of any American vessels.
St. Thomas, West Indies, April 24.-Ac-
Rico the agitation there is increasing
and food prices are rising fast. the au-
thorities have taken steps to prevent the
departure of refugees. AT Mayagues,
seventy miles southwest of San Juan,
there is talk of a revolution. Refugees
from Porto Rico who reached here by a
schooner this evening report that the
condition of the island is critical Mar
tiaI law has been proclaimed and Amer-
cans there are in danger, as they are
without protection.
United States Consul Van Horn mere
has bought 1900 tons of coal for the
United States government, which will ar
rive here tomorrow, and he is negotiat-
ing for more.
SPAIN ADOPTS PRIVATEERING.
London, April 25.-The Madrid CORE
spondent of The Daily Mail telegraping
Sunday, says: Spain adopts privateering
in fact, but not in name. The reservation
in the decree issued means very little,
and what the cancellation of agreements
with the United States means can well
be appreciated, particularly by Ameri-
cans remaining behind in Cuba and those
who own property there. Five days
granted for American vessels to leave
Spanish ports.
APPLYING FOR LETTERS OF
MARQUE.
Urgent orders have been issued for the
movement for various Spanish men-of-
war and vigorous action is anticipated.
Many French shipowners and not "A few
ters of marque against the United States.
The cabinet council this afternoon
Sunday discussed the conduct of the
war measures it is proposed to submit TO
the cortes, Senior Puigcerver minister
of finance, will submit his projects
Tuesday next Every occasion is being
seized throughout the country for patrI-
Otic demons tratOnS.
Vienna, April z4.-The Deutche Zeitung,
the pan-Germanic organ, contlA~y to
most papers, supports the United States
the grounds that After Berlin and
Vienna New York ranks the largest
German town in the world" and also
because the United States represents
liberty opposed to absolutesm
Madrid, April 24.-7:45 p. m.-There were
slight demonstrations early this morning
and again this evening, but they were
dispersed by Governor Aguilera. The one
subject of conversation throughout the
day has been the capture of the Buena
Ventura prior TO a formal declaration OF
hostilities or the lapse of the time limit
in the American ultimatum. The papers
describe it is an act of piracy. Many ru-
morS are af1oat to captures on both
sides. The papers warn the populace not
to be elated or depressed by such state
ments. insisting that many of them orig
mate on foreign bourses for gambling
purposes.
The attitude of the citizens of Madrid
today is irreproa cha bic. Several Ameri-
can correspondents left by the Sud ex
press. Probab bly, the fact that the cabi-
net council was held in the morning in
stead of this afternoon, as had been ar
ranged, means that news has been re-
ceived necessitating prompt action but
nothing has been divulged.
AdviceS have been received from
Manila Philippine islands. that when
news was received there OF the sailing
of the American squadron from Hong
kong an imposing popular demonstration
took place, all classes Offering their prop
erty and lives in defense OF the country.
The enthusiasm is described as 'tremen-
dous."
Rumors are being circulated that the
philippine filibusters are cooperating
with the American squadron. but there
is no official confirmation of them.
AMERICAN YACHTS IN DANGER.
The Madrid papers point out that some
excellent prizes are now obtainabie in
| the Mediterranean in the yachts OF mill
| lionaire Americans.
THE POPE BLESSES SPANISH ARMS.
London. April 25.-The Rome corre-
I spondent of The Daily Mail says: Cardi-
nal Rampolla, the papal secretary Of
| state, declares that the Vatican Will OBJ
serve the strictest neutrality. the pope
desires prayers only for a speedy con-
clusion of peace. He considers the sing
| ing OF TIE Deums for histories an utter
/ congruous proceeding.
The Rome correspondent of The Stand
| ard, says: The queen regent asked the
blessing of the pope upon Spanish arms.
I His holiness replied that he sent IL from
| his heart and hoped to see vIndica-
| ton Of Spains rights which had been
| trampled upon
| London. April 25-The Rome core
| spondent of The Times says: / am au-
| thorized by the Spanish ambassador TO
| the vatican 10 deny the report that there
| has been any question OF submitting the
| matter OF Cuban independence to the ar
| bitration of the pope. / also am inform
ed that the United States offered 10
Spain TO submit the Maine disaster TO ar
bitration- Spain accepted the offer. but
1 nothing more has been heard from there.