WAR.

Opunake Times, Volume VIII, Issue 378, 26 April 1898, Page 2

WAR.

PROPOSED INVASION OF AMERICA. GREAT SPEECH BY THE QUEEN. 43,000 MEN TO GARRISON HAVANA. Madrid, April 20. Four first-class cruisers will protect the torpedo flotilla now at Gape Verde, ‘and another squadron consisting of four battleships two cruisers, and six torpedo boats are mobilising at Cadiz. New York, April 20. The Spanish agent in America is organising expeditions to invade America. Salvation Army women are offering their services as nurses. Auckland, April 21. The American Consul has received quite a large number of offers from young men willing to volunteer on American side. Washington, April 21. Signor Bernabe has applied for his passport and quitted Washington. He has entrusted the interests of Spain to French and Austrian Ministers at Washington. Madrid, April 21. The opening of the Cortes was an impressive and bi'.lliaut scene. All the wealth and beauty of Madrid were present. The Queen Regent, Christina, and the young King, Alforso, were received with intense enthusiasm. The Queen Regent in her speech declared that Spain deserved universal sympathy. She had every confidence that Cortes would defend her throne, honor, and territory at whatever sacrifice. She concluded with an eloquent peroration expressing supreme confidence that the nation would emerge triumphant from the crisis which was provoked without reason or justice. The speech evoked tremendous applause. The royalties received a great ovation in the streets. Eighty-three thousand volunteers from Cuba have offered to co-operate with General Blanco. London, April 21. The continental newspapers strongly condemn America’s by-political policy which they declare is due to speculators’ influence. Washington, April 21. The American ultimatum has been formally transmitted to Spain. The American Government has officially announced it will not resort to privateering. Great Britain is pressing Spain to make a similar declaration. President McKinley’s ultimatum has evoked a remarkable patriotic outburst throughout America. A number of persons became insane through over excitement while some committed suicide. The House has passed a bill authorising the summoning of volunteers. American newspapers are offering rewards for the first Spanish flags captured in the Campaign. One offers one thousand dollars for the capture of General Weyler, dead or alive. Two thousand Sioux Indians have volunteered to serve under the American flag. Madrid, April 21. General Woodford has left Madrid for Paris. Pretoria, April 21. Prominent Americans in the Transvaal have offered 2000 men and to defray the cost of transport to anywhere wanted. New York, April 21. Key West reports that the American fleet consisting of 23 fighting ships is anchored six miles off the shore waiting a signal to sail for Havana. The Spanish squadron which is assembled at Cape Yerde has sailed, the destination unknown. The Madrid message predicts that the first engagement will prove a complete surprise. The American naval commander has arranged to co-operate with the Cuban insurgents and is supplying war material. One of the Cuban leaders visiting New York states that 5000 Cubans are willing to return to the island with the American troops, Sydney, April 22. The Spanish Consul states he has received no communication from his Government, and Spanish interests here are hardly likely to be directly affected by the war. Several Spanish residents have offered their services, and he also received an offer from a captain of the Royal Engineers of a contrivance which would assure the defeat of the Americans. He is of opinion that the war will be a naval one, and that the Americans will not have such an easy task as many people thought. The war news so far has little effect on the local markets, though they are in a very sensitive condition. The wool sales showed a slightly easier tendency. There are increased demands for heavy items of American merchandise and a little speculative buying of kerosene but no increase in prices. New York, April 22. Twenty-eight thousand regular troops and 15,000 volunteers will garrison Havana. The fortification at the entrance of the harbor is very strong, Madrid, April 22. The Capo Verde squadron with banked fires is awaiting orders to sail. Extraordinary enthusiasm prevails throughout Spain. The national subscription will probably amount to ;&'30,000 000 sterliug. Sydney, April 22. The war is creating excitement locally, and has quite overshadowed the Federal Question. Crowds congregate at the newspaper offices awaiting intelligence. Several coal charters for America

have been cancelled owing to the trouble. Washington, April 22. It is now stated that the promptness of Spain is severing the diplomatic relations has led President McKinley to take action, and the Key West squadron, under Captain Rampson, has sailed for Havana. Madrid, April 22. Six thousand persons paraded the streets of Madrid, and smashed the American eagle wherever found, and hoisted the Spanish flag. The Civil Governor encouraged the rioters. London, April 22. The Spanish torpedo boat, Andaz, is repairing at Cork, and hopes to escape from the harbor before hostilities commence. New York, April 22. The populace at Havana strongly favor the Spanish. Immense enthusiasm prevails in the town, and there is a strong determination to resist the American attack. Paris, April 22. The Spanish Embassy at Paris has received large contributions to the war funds. New York, April 22. Bernabe declares if McKinley had withstood Congress 30 days there would have been peace in Cuba. The Americans have captured a Spanish lumber ship at Key West. The despatch of troops to Mobiles and New Orleans has been countermanded and the army is concentrating at Ohickamuga, Florida. Eighty per cent of the militia forces have volunteered for service, being 50 per cent over the proportion required for the first call. One thousand mules at New Orleans intended for shipment by the transport department have been seized by the United States as contraband of war. Sydney, April 23. Daily more Australians are volunteering for war offers on both’sides but the majority is in favor of America. The American Consul amongst others has received offers from several nurses and the Curl Ambulance Brigade. The Spanish Consul had to decline numerous volunteers.