WAR COMMENCED on Saturday.

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

WAR COMMENCED on Saturday.

PHILIPPINES FORTIFIED. SPANISH SQUADRON THERE. THE PEDRO CAPTURED. A GRAIN SHIP CAPTURED. BLOCKADE DECLARED. Washington, April 23. Advices have been received that the American Asiatic squadron has left Hongkong. It is thought the object is to attack Manilla, McKinley wants the Senate to agree to the occupation of a coaling station at Hawaii, to be used as a base of operations in an attack on Spanish possessions in the Pacific Oceau. Cape Verde Spanish squadron is awaiting reinforcements before ingSvdney, April 24. There is considerable excitement, and the city papers are issuing special war editions. Large crowds are round the offices. The steamer Taiyuan has arrived from the East. When she left Manilla harbor and other portions of Phillipines were being strongly fortified. She reports Spain has a powerful squadron at the Phillipines. Washington, April 24. McKinley has summoned 125,000 volunteers to serve two years. The cruiser New York captured the steamer Pedro off Havana. The Spaniards captured the steamer Shenandoah, bound from Frisco to Antwerp with a cargo of 20,000 quarters of wheat. It is reported she was flying British flag.

Sydney, April 24.

A cable was received in Sydney yesteday, per medium of the Central Press Agency London stating that the flagship New York captured the steamer Alphonse XII with 1000 Spanish troops on board after a four mile chase off Havaua. This probably refers to the capture of the Pedro.'

Melbourne, April 24

Numerous volunteers are offering their services to the American Consul.

Adelaide, April 24

Declaration of war was announced in the theatre on Saturday night. The orchestra played patriotic American airs, and the audience enthusiastically demonstrated their sympathy with America.

New York, April 24.

A torpedo boat attached to the Sampson’s squadron captured the Spanish steamer Mathilde after a sharp chase. The guns from Morro Castle, a large fort guarding Havana harbor, fired ten shots at the blockading squadron but were ineffective. The squadron did not reply. The Americans have decided to recognise that the neutral flag covers the enemy’s goods excepting contraband of war. Such goods will be liable to seizure though not under the enemy’s Hag. The Americans have determined that a blockade must be effective. Madrid, April 24.

An improved tone prevails on the Spanish Bourse, and the rush of depositors to withdraw their money from the bank has mitigated. Washington, April 24.

McKinley has proclaimed a blockade of the north coast of Cuba within the lines drawn from the Bahamas to Bahia, Honda, and Oieufugas, on the southern coast.

McKinley has authorised Mr Smalley

to reiterate that America has no intention to annex Cuba. Captain Sampson’s Key West squadron comprised 23 vessels. News has been received that General Blanco’s patriotic appeals aroused intense enthusiasm in Cuba. Crowds swore to resist the Americans to the last. Havana has six months’ provisions. Several cables connected with a submarine mine in the New York harbor have been cut. Spanish spies are suspected. A" financial panic has occurred in Madrid and Barcelona. There has been a severe run on the Bank of Spain and its branches. New York, April 23. Owing to the stagnation of the American wool market, caused by the war, American buyers are buying 20,000 bales of wool for London. London, April 24. The vessels comprising Commodore De Wey’s squadron are the cruisers Boston, Olympia, Baltimore, Raleigh, and the gunboats Petrel and Concord. McKinley has authorised Smalley to declare that America gratefully responds to the friendly sentiments expressed to the United States by 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. The train by which Mr Woodford, the American Minister, left was stoned at Yallodolid, while at attempt was made at Yolso to detain his secretary, but was frustrated.