The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1898-04-29

MiniSlerS say thdt II the republicans
and Carlists persist in the attitude
f~oreshadowed yesterday in the cortes it
Will be necessary for the government
to suspend the constitutional guaran-
tees. This is generally a preliminary
step to decreeing martial law.
The patriotic demonstrations are ex-
tending throughout the whole country.
even to the smallest villages, and the
government has decided to act decisive
ly and energetically against America.
THE FLEET STILL AT CAPE VERD
st. Vincent, Cape de Verde Islands.
April 26.--6:3 p. m.-The Spanish fleet
is still here, and there is no sign of it's
intention to put to sea today. Ammu-
milton and projectiles are placed ready
on deck for each gun and on board the
Warships the men appear to be anxi-
Gus to fight. The squadron is still busy
coaling and taking stores on board.
Fall Mouth, Eng, April 26.-Commander
HazeltOn, of the United States torpedo
a result of the neutrality measures
adopted by the British government, that
he must not leave these waters.
Consequently the Somers lowered her
pennant at l o'clock. this afternoon. A
British torpedo boat has taken up a
position in her vicinity. The Somers will
be towed further up the harbor and will
be moored until further orders. One
American and four Scandinavian seamen
arrived here today from London t. join
the Somers. The customs authorities
sent them to the sailors home and
warned them that they would be arrest
ed if they left the building.
1t developed later in the day that the
commander of the Somers was only mott
fled this morning that he must leave by
Wednesday with only sufficient coal to
reach the nearest port of the United
States. Consequently the navy depart
ment at Washington cabled Commander
Hazleton that the SomerS must be per-
manently laid up and the crew paid off.
This is now being done under the super
vision of the local naval authorities.
| 1t is understood that if prosecution is
instituted for attempt to illegally enlist
seamen. it will be directed against Com
mander HaZleton.
Bayonne, France, April 27.-Accord-
ing to a letter just received here from
Madrid, dated from the Spanish CAPT.
tai on Tuesday, a Spanish squadron,
consisting of four cruisers and three
torpedo boat destroyers, sailed for the
United States yesterday. 1t was rumor-
ed that the squadron was to steam
direct across the Atlantic and bonn
bard northern ports Of the United
States. The port from which this
squadron sailed was not mentioned. 1t
was added, however, hat a second
squadron, consisting of four irOnclads
and two cruisers, was being formed at
Cadiz. It's destination was unknown
London, April 27.-It is reported here
from Madrid that the destination of
the Spanish fleet, which is said to have
been at sea for some days, is unknown
to any one but the minister of marine,
Admiral Bermej0. But it is added that
news is expected before long, at the
Spanish capital, Of the bombardment
of American coast towns.
The reports from Madrid also say
that the Spanish a " authorities are
satisfied that Spain can easily force
the blockade of Cuba when she de-
sireS to do so. But in the meantime,
it is explained, as the governors of Gu
ba and Porto Rico have advised the
Spanish government, that they do not
need the fleet, the government has de-
cided to utilize the warshipS else
where.
.PORTUGAL'S NEUTRALITY.
Lisbon, April 27.-The state council
meets tomorrow in order to decree the
neutrality of Portugal during the war
between Spain and the United States,
after which the Spanish fleet must
I leave the Cape de Verde islands In
view of this, it is announced several
Portuguese warships have started, or
are about to start for the Cape de
Verde island
There are no warships of the bellig-
erency in any Portuguese ports, except
ing the Spanish fleet at ST. Vincent,
Cape de Verde islands, which it is eX-
pected, will put to sea today.
1 AMERICAN VESSEL CAPTURED.
Madrid, April 27.-An official dis
patch from Manila, capital of the Phil
ipsine islands. says the governor of
Toilo, Philippine islands, Announces
that the Spanish gunbOat Ell CanO has
arrived there. having captured the
American bark Saranac, Captain Bar
taby, from New Castle, N. S. W., on
February 26th, for Iloilo. The Saranac
had $40 tons of coatl on board.
A BATTLE EXPECTED HOURLY.
An official dispatch from Manila an
nounces that the Spanish fleet has sail
ed to meet the United States squadron.
The latter had not been sighted when
the cable message was sent; but the
American warships were expected at
any moment.
6 D. Man official dispatch has just
been received from the governor OF
Manila, capital of the Philippine is
lands. in which he that he
expects hourly to hear Of an engage
ment betwee the Spanish and the
American sQuadrons.
There is great rejoicing here at the
news of the capture of the American
bark Saranac, at 1loilo, Philippine is
lands.
s n. m.-There is a report in circula-
ton here that some of the Spanish
cruisers now gathered about Manila
will be used later to scour the Pacific
and destroy American in
those waters.
II D. MAS a counterpoise to the
growing sympathy toward the Carlists
among the people since Don Carlos
raised a vigorous war note against the
United States, the Spanish cardinals
and prelates are now assembling here
to visit the Queen-regent collectively.
declaring their adhesion to n support
of the reigning dynasty. They will en-
deavor to convince the people that the
oueen-regent has never advocated
peace at any price, but thoroughly par
| ~icipates in the enthusiasm of the peo-
pie to defend the honor and rights of
Spain. This attitude of h prelates
will cause a sensation throughout the