The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1899-06-06

spoke only of relations interrupted for
a short time.
At the conclusion of the address the
president stepped forward and shook
hands cordi-lly with the new minister
and they engaged in conversation in
a low tone for a minute or two. The
president gracefully inquired after the
health of the queen-regent and the
king He courteously referred to the
dues former residence in this country
and his many friends here and re-
peated the assurance Of the concluding
words of his formal greeting that ev-
cry one here would unite in making
the ministers stay in this country
pleasant and satisfactory.
The party then retired and was driv-
en- to the Arlington hotel.
The ceremony today was in striking
contrast with the meeting that oc-
CURED in the same room April 7, 1898
two weeks before diplomatic relations
were broken off, when the representa-
tives Of the six great powers of Europe
Great Britain, France, Germany,
, Russia, Austria and Italy-made a
final effort to avert the impending war
by presenting joint note of the pow
ers in the Interest of a successful solu-
| tio1r of the Cuban problem The presi-
dent upon that occasion still clug to
the hope that peace would reign, but
he distinctly impressed the represen-
tatives of the powers that Spain must
, afford the necessary guarantee for the
/, re-establishment of order ON the island
: ENCOURAGING REPORT FROM
; GENERAL, WOOD
] The war department has received a
| lengthy report from General Wood at
| Santiago, in which he says he has just
returned from long trip through the
! interior and along the north coast of
| Santiago province. The people are all
| at work, peaceful, contented and, as
| far as one can see, fairly happy. Gen
eral Wood speaking Of the alleged bri-
| gandage in his province says: 'The
reports which had alarmed the citizens
in the vicinity of Sama and Banes,
were, as far as 1 could learn, circu-
lated by an old scoundrel called Feria
He has spent his time apparently in
circulating reports of brigandage and
actually melting some ignorant men
to commit lawless acts. took him off
quietly and told him that my orders
to my officers and the guardia rural
were to give all men of his description
short shift if they were caught in any
work of this sort. The whole problem
today in Cuba is work. Put the idle
people who are reading the incendiary
press to work, relegate to back seats
| the politicians whose present impor-
tance rests solely on the attentions they
are receiving from our people and they
will not have followers enough left to
| give them the slightest importance or
weight in the community"
TO AVERT TROUBLE OVER ALAS
KAN BOUNDARY.
1t is learned at the state department
that the negotiations now in progress
at London Letween Ambassador Choate
and Lord Salisbury relate entirely to
the arrangement of a modus vivendi
to avert the danger of a hostile COLI
sion on the Alaskan border, during the
| present season at least. 1t is expected
to resume the negotiations for the set
tlement of the whole boundary ques-
ton when Sir Julian Paunceforte re-
turns to Washington from the Hague.
| There is every reason to belive the at
| tempt to secure a modus vivendi will
succeed but the basis cannot be dis
closed at this time.