Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1898-03-11
THE CUBAN AFFAIR.

Commander Converse, OF the Mont.
gomery, and his officers, accompanied
by Consul General Lee, visited Gen.
Blanco at Havana yesterday.
With regard to the Maine calastrc-
phe La Union Constitutional OF Ha-
vana says that Gen. Blanco and Ac-
miral Manterola have both reported lo
the central government in Madrid that
the Maine was blown up by the tx.
plosion of one of its ammunition maya
zines.
Consul Barker has telegraphed from
Sagua to the newspaper La Lucia h4t-
ly denying that he is in disaccord WITH
Consul General Lee, as was published
or that he intended to make dlscIo,-
ures of any kind with regard to the
American consular service in Cuba
A large meeting of Spaniards wi. De
held at Havana on Thursday, March
II, at the palace of Gov. Gen. Blauco
to raise funds by public subscription in
buy a new cruiser for the Spanish navy
to be named Isla de Cuba.
Spain is said to be seeking the co-
operation of France and Russia, as
there is belief at Madrid that Eng
land will side with the United states
in the event of hostilities.
A naval officer is quoted in ha-
vana dispatch as saying that President
Mckinley has notified Captain SAM
son, chairman of the naval court Of ia
quiry, that he is ready for the court
report as to the wreck OF the batteship
Maine. Advces from Havana are 20
the effect that the court has practically
finished its investigations, and can
write its report in day.
Sir Henry Drummond WOLF, the
British ambassador at Madrid visited
Senior Gullon, the foreign minister, yes.
teJdey in order to deny the report ihst
Sir Julian Pauncefote' visit to Pre--
dent Mckinley last Tuesday was made
with the object OF British mediation
between Spain and the United state.
There were many conference 'a
Washington yesterday with view oil
making all necessary arrangement TO
equip and man the auxiliary cruisers at
short notice. At conference ne.dat
the Navy Department between Assist
ant Secretary Roosevelt and the chic
OF the naval bureaus the advisabilIty Oh
arming and equipping fast merchant
vessels as auxiliary cruisers was dr.
cussed Work upon new ships AMI rc'
pairs to older ones are being hurried a.
over the country. Military orte
which go into effect to-day will lead 20
the manning of hitherto uDprotec,ai
Notifications from Boston down the A.
lantic coast and along the gulf to t's.-
weston. Orders have been issued !.r
the immediate enlistment OF 300 men
for the navy, a large proporliol Of
them to be macbinis;s. A special board
has been detailed by Secretary Lon 10
go to cities in the South and We-t TO
g list recruits.
A dispatch from Washington says he
best information agrees that Pre-idelt
Mckinley has not yet decided that ~
tervention in Cuba is the duty o. ne
moment. That events viii Hasy
make it necessary for him to take some
definite step to end the condition now
existing in Cuba is most probable 'i.
it is believed that there will be no "7a
of our seeking until next fall att me
coming rainy season in Cuba vii have
ended when it will be possible Tor %
active land campaign to be made ~
American troops, and when al pTri@
rations for the naval war feet N..
have been made by the country
If war with Spain should be dc ~
the seas would doubtless soon .e
swarming with privateers. A.it1ol
the subject is being discussed 10 81 we
big seaport towns on tie Atlanac e57
and many vessels sre ready TO
at o moments notice.