AMERICA AND SPAIN.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XX, Issue 4477, 25 April 1898, Page 2

AMERICA AND SPAIN.

War Declared,

Blockade of Cuban Coast.

The American Asiatio Squadron

Attack on the Philippines SuspectedFinancial Fanio m Spain.

Bun on the Banks-

A Message from the President Recognition of British Friend-

liness.

Spain's Squadron m the Philip-

pines

Fortification of the Harbours

Another Rebellion

Call to American Volunteers

Capture of Merchant Vessels

American Grain Ship Taken

Press Association— By Bleotrio Telegraph—

Copyright.

London advises the Gable Company that war is actually declared. An outbreak of hostilities may be expeoted at any moment.

Washington, April 28 President McKinley has proclaimed a blockade of the north coast of Cuba, within lines drawn from Cardenas to Bahia Honda and Cienfuegos on the southern coast.

Advices {torn Hong Kong state that Commodore George Beway, commanding the American Asiatic squadron, left Hong Kong with six vessels of war — the cruisers Olympia, Baltimore, Boston and Raleigh, and the gunboats Petrel and Concord. It is thought hia object is to attack Manila, the oapital of the Spanish colony of the Philippines. President McKinley is consulting with the Foreign Relations Committee of the Senate as to the advisability oC the occupation of a coaling station at Hawaii, to be used as a base of operations m an attack on the Spanish possessions m the Pacific Ocean.

Mr McKinley has authorised Me Sm alley, the New York correspondent of 7he Times, to reiterate that America has no intention of annexing Ouba.

Captain Sampson's Key West squadron comprised twenty-three vessels. News has been received that General Blanco's patriotic appeals aroused intense enthusiasm m Ouba. Crowds swore to resist the Americans to the last.

Havana baa six months' provisions. Several of the cables connected with the submarine mines m New York harbour have been cut. Bpanish spits ate suspected

New Yobk, April 23

Owing to the stagnation m the American wool market, caused by the war, American buyers are re-shipping twenty thousand bales of wool to London.

Washington, April 23 President McKinley h&a authorised Mr SmalJey to declare that all America gratefully responds to the friendly sentiments expressed to the United States by Great Britain.

Captain Sampson, who was stationed at Key West, has a powerful squadron under his command. This squadron comprises two battleships, four cruisers, three monitors, eight gunboats, and six torpedo boats.

Madrid, April 23 A financial panic has occurred m Madrid and Barcelona, and there has been a severe run on the Bank of Spain and its branches.

The Cape Verde squadron is awaiting reinforcements from Cadiz before

sailing.

The train by which General Woodfcrd, the American Minister, left Madrid was stoned at Valladolid, white an attempt was made at Volosa to detain his secretary, but was frustrated. April 24 ' Spain will not issue letters of marque, but will exercise the right of search by means of warships and auxiliary mercantile cruisers.

Sydney, April 24 The Post Office has received a message from Sir Charles Todd, of Adelaide, that London wired that war had been declared.

This is mo doubt the same message as the Cable Company at Wakapuaka received this morning, to the effect that war had actually been declared and there might be an outbreak of hostilities at any moment:

There is considerable excitement m the city and the papers are issuing special war editions. There are large crowds around the offices.

The steamer Taiyuan has arrived from the East. When she left Manila harbor and other portions of tha Phillipines they were being strongly fortified. She reports that Spain has a powerful squadron at the Philippines A rising of a semi-religious character had occurred m Zambales province, m the Philippines, under the leadership of a native named Gabino, who was looked upon as a supernatural agent, destined to drive out the Catholic priest c. Great secrecy was maintained, and discontent was widely spread before it was discovered. The leader was captured and shot m the presence of a large number of his followers

The Spanish authorities are adopting stringent measures to suppress the revolt

| The Taiyuan reports that the Spanish squadron at the Philippine* ' consists of the cruisers Oastilla, Don Juan De Austria, Don Antonio Do Ulloa, Isla De Luzon, Isla De Cuba, Reina Christina, and Velasco; the gunboats Argos, Blanco, General Lezo, and Marquis Del Dueroj the troopships Oebuj General Alva apd Manila; also twentj-foar small river gunboats

Mblboubnb, April 24. The Acting Governor has received oifioial notification from Mr Chamberlain regarding the necessity for strict neutrality m connection with the war.

Washington, April 2i President McKinlay has summoned 125,000 volunteers to serve for two years. He asks Congress to declare, war to regularise the situation,

The cruiser New York captured the steamer Pedro oft Havana. The Spaniards captured the steamer Shenandoah, bound from San &*™™ 0 to Antwerp with a cargo of 20,000 quarters of wheat. It is repoited she was flying the British flag. A Bill has been introduced m the House of Representatives increasing the regulars to 61; 000.