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

by the great powers of Europe, such
suggestions as these combined powers
might make could not be lightly set
aside. The general view of the diplo-
mats is that the movement is not so
much one toward reconciling the Unit
ed States and Spain as it rs TO pre-
serve the peace of the world by cOmbfn-
ed action. SPANS policy i'm this matter
is one of urging on the European pow
ers that if Cuba was free from Spanish
sovereignty the next. move under the
Monroe doctrine would be to bring an
end of European control over other
West Indian possessions. Great Brit
ian, rance and Denmark have inter-
ests in that locality. In other quarters,
it was stated that the influence of the
powers was more likely to be exerted
on Spain, in urging her to the largest
possible measure of concession.
An arrangement was reached dur
ing the day by which the United States
and France Will cooperate through
their ministers at Denmark in the es-
Enlistment of a public cable station
on the Danish island of st. Thomas.
The cable is owned by a French COM
pany, but it's use has become of vital
Importance to the United States gov
eminent, owing to h possible IS Of
naval operations in the leeward island.
WAIT FOR WEDNESDAY.
wait for Wednesday, was the word,
passed about the capitol today and a
general understanding to hat effect
was reached. The republicans will not
initiate and the democrats will not try
to force am action on Cuba until We'd
neSday, when the presidents message
will he received. With that under
standing, the senate foreign relations
committee did not report and the house
foreign affairs committee took no ac-
ton. 1t is known that the senate conn
mittee mas agreed upon a resolution,
declaring independence and interview
ton, with an amendment fixing the re-
sponsibility for the destruction of the
Maine upon Spain either by design or
criminal negligence. The house foreign
affairs committee will report, if DOS
sible, a resolution in lime with the pres
ident's recommendations n it is
known that efforts are being made to
have the resolutions of both committees
agree with the presidents wishes.
No decision has yet been reached by
the authorities as to tine location of
the proposed naval base On the gulf
coast, the matter being still under con-
sideration.
Secretary Alger has decided to re-
I ITO the president that an ad-
ditionlal allotment for the emergency
fund be made for the Use OF the ord
| nance bureau of the army. The ord
| nance department lis still lacking am
| munition for the sea coast Notifications
and the extra allotment will be used
| for this purpose
1t has been decided to detain for a
| time at the C~hickamauga battlefield,
| the Twenty-ifth regiment of infantry,
which is about to leave the various
forts in Montana for service at Yey
| West and Dry Tortugas. The reason
| for this action is said to be tine fac
| that the water supply at either of the
| above named places is not satisfac tory
at present. Chickamauga, General
| Miles says, is am excellent place for
| the concentration of a large body of
troops n d it is believed the location has
been seriously considered by Secretary
| Alger as a point for the preliminary
| gathering of roops in case of war.
OUR GOVERNMENT BUYS TEN
STEAMERS.
The navy department was informed
late this afternoon of the arrival of the
dynamite cruiser Vesuvius at Norfolk
today from Washington. The navy de-
partrnent today sent Geographic or
ders to the auxiliary cruiser board at
New York to purchase Immediately
ten vessels for the auxiliary navy.
These boats are to be between 1000
and 10, 900 tons burden and the board
is directed to conclude the purchases
as soon as possible.
New York, April 4.-Upon receiving
an order from Washington today to
buy ten vessels. the naval auxiliary
: board purchased the following for aux
iliary cruisers: The Caracas and
the Venezuela, of the Red d. Lime; the
Kansas City, of the Savannah Line;
the Yorktown, the Jamestown n the
| Princess Ann, Of the Old Dominion
Line; the Elsol and three others of the
Morgan Lime.
CUBANS WILL HAVE NOTHING
BUT INDEPENDENCE.
Jacksonville, Fla, April A Cuban
living in Havana, a man of RESPONSE
Tbility n in a position to know the
sentiment OF those bearing inSurgent
arms and those that govern and con
troll h insurgent forces, states in g
letter to a prominent Cuban leader o,
Jacksonville that under no condition
EXCEPT absolute Independence and lib.
erty will they lay down heir arms
No matter if the whole world says they
Il