SPAIN AND AMERICA.

Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, Volume XLIV, Issue 2267, 20 May 1898, Page 2

SPAIN AND AMERICA.

Two American wur correspondents havebeen captuied by the Spaniards atCardenasIt is feared that they will be shot as >pies. The authoritieb at Washington are trying toexchange two Spanish officers takeu p.isoi.era by the Americans for the captu recti correspondents.

Admiral Dewey captured the Spai iah>< gunboat Callao, which was entering Manilla* harbour in ignorance of the blockade.

General Blanco agreed to exchange three American newspaper war correspondents for the Spanish officers captured by the Americans.

The Americans declare that an attempt was made by Spanish vessels to decoy the ships of the blockading squadron under the fire of the batteries, but it proved unsuccessful.

The strategy of Admiral Cerveras and the* secrecy obeerved as to the movements of his squadron have disconcerted the navnl ex* perts at Washington and upset their far' reaching plans. The despondency in Spain caused by the defeat at Manilla has to a large extern been dispelled. The Spaniards are very sanguine of the success cf Admiral Cerveras' tquadron Reports frcm Madrid state thab two Spanish gunboats at Havana attacked five of the smaller waishipb of the American) fleet. One of the American warships wa» seriously damaged, and all were compelled to retire.

Martial law ha? been proclaimed in the Cenary Isl&Dde, which belong to Spain. A sharp fight took place between the American warships and the shore batteriee at Oienfugos. The forts wereddestroyerd r and many Spaniards were killed. There were eight casualties on the American side.

The Americans have cut the cable connecting Cienfugos with Havana. The American cruiser Wilmington attacked Cardenas and silenced the shore batteries. Thiee hundred Spaniards were killed. Mr. Chamberlain's speech has made an extraordii ary sensation on the Continent The Frerch and Spanish newspapers ai» specially irritated at the idea of an AngloSexon alliai ne.

The American people regard the utterances with sympathetic feeling, and in some quarters it is believed that the speech is • revelation that negotiations for an AngloAmerican alliance are in progress.

The British Channel squadron is visiting Villa Garcia. The residents threaten to refuse to provision the vefselp, owing to the belief that an Arglo-American alliance has been arranged.

The " Temps " says that Great Britain* efforts to secure a set-off on the Niger against Port Arthur and Talien-wan will create a delicate and dangerous situation.

The pottponemi nt of the invasion of Cube, the delay in sending troops to the Philippire°, end the fruitless marceuvres of Admit hI fc-umpsoii's tquadion are causing & display of impatience thrcughout America. The 'Telegraph" stale* that Japan i» negotiating with Russia to pi event the United States permanently holding the Philippines. France and Germany favour Japan's action.

A Spanish reserve is equipping at Cadiz; Five ctuisers and two merchant liners will be ready for sea this week.