WHAT THE CABLES SAY,

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXVI, Issue 6, 10 June 1898, Page 20

WHAT THE CABLES SAY,

The war between Spain and America has produced nothing of a startling nature during the week. It is reported that Spain is desirous of peace. She appears to be in an awkward predicament, as the principal portion of her navy has, from all reports, been cut off and hemmed in, in Santiago Harbour. The harbour was blocked in the most daring fashion by Lieutenant Hobson, who steamed through a narrow channel, passed four forts firing heavily on him at known ranges, and over mines which the Spam.u-ds believed impassable. He anchored his vessel in a bend as arranged beforehand, and waited until the ship swung broadside on. He then touched a button, exploding the torpedoes. The hull sank immediately. The Spaniards thereupon displayed a white flag, which Lieutenant Hobson accepted. The deed was an heroic one, and elicted the admiration of the Spaniards. The Spanish admiral is reported to have shaken hands with Lieutenant Hobson, and complimented him on his bravery. The naval authorities at Washington are greatly pleased at Admiral Cerveras's recognition of the bravery of Lieutenant Hobson. Four thousand men volunteered fpr the Merrimac expedition to block the entrance to the harbour. A letter stolen from the chief of the Spanish spy service is reported to contain information concerning a proposal that the mysterious Spanish fleet should bombard Boston, Portland, and Long Island. The Spanish spy was in Canada, and was ordered to leave the country by the British Ambassador. With regard to the position of affairs at Havana, it is stated tbat the torpedo boat Porter reports that the New Orleans, lowa, Texas, and Massachusetts cannonaded the Havana forts until the Spanish cruiser Colon intervened, when theit fire was turned on her, compelling her to retreat behind the headland. The forts Morro and Socapra were then destroyed, aud many of the garrison killed. The authorities regard the attack as a mere reconnaissance to ascertain the strength of the defences. On the other hand, General Blanco telegraphs that the American warships fired 70 shots, but the forts and the Colon were uninjured. Two shells struck the lowa, according to General Blanco, while a fire occurred aboard another vessel. One auxiliary steamer was damaged. It was reported at Key West that the cruising steamer St. Paul captured the Spanish transport ship Alfonso XIII. on Monday. She had 1300 Spanish soldiers on board. The capture was effected off Cape Maysi, at the south-east of Cuba. Seventeen shots were fired before the Alfonso yielded. Another and subsequent message contradicted this, and conveyed the intelligence that the vessel had turned up at her destination. The Senate has reduced the issue of bonds in connection with the financial arrangements for the war to 200 million dollars. News has been received in New Yoik that several large siege guns and 5000 American troops landed near S mtiago de Cuba? They were joined by 3000 of General Garcia's rebel troops. Admiral Sampson's fleet shelled and dispersed the Spanish infantry and cavalry. As regards the state of Manila, eastern news states that fears are entertained in Manila that the Spanish soldiery will rise against the British residents, owing to their active assistance to the "American fleet. The commanders of foreign warships have arranged a scheme of protection for foreigners. Meantime the Spaniards have dealt with the officers in the late engagement in a summary fashion. The admiral who was courtmartialled has been sentenced to be shot, while the lieutenant of the Spanish gunboat Callao, which was recently captured, has been shot.

There are less signs of popular unrest in Spain, but the significant fact, however, is recorded that the Queen Repent is preparing for fli»ht. _ The flagship " New York,'' the monitor " Puritan," and the cruiser " Cincinnati " bomborded the town of Matanzas, Cuba, on ihe afternoon of the 27th April. All of its batteries were silenced and most of them destroyed. Those in course of construction at the entrance to the harbour were completely demolished! The Spanish guns replied viciously to the attack, but none of the American ships were struck. The batteries fired explosive shells, and most of them fell wide of the mark. One burst just beyond the btern of the " New fork," and a shrapnel shot exploded above her It took the throe ships just 18 minutes t > bilenoe the batteries. It was while the three ve-,!-els of the North Atlnucu -qua iron were reconnoitring in order to locate and .irMn.y tli dt,ieuu s, of Mdtanzas that the Point Rubal Cayo and Point Maya batteries opened fire upon the American flag. These batteries command the lnime-liato entrance to the harbour, and their firing was rapid. The flagship " Xew York " was the first to ruyly to the attack, but the Puritan " -teamed in behind her and enynged the fortifications on x oint M.iya, while the " Xew York" went to starboard close up to the land and poured her shells into the Rubal Cayo. The "Cincinnati," which had remained well astern under orders, signalled for permission to engage and r ccived it, and soon was firing her guns at the fort on the west side of the bay. It is not known how many of the Spaniards were killed and wounded, but the loss must have been heavy, as the shells from the American warships created terrible havoc. All of the shots from the batteries went wide. In the course of an interview Cardinal Moran, speaking of the possibilities of a European war, said :: — •' I see a great danger. The course of affairs in China are becoming complicated. There seems to be no question that Russia has carried the day there, and it is now too late for England to try to balance the moat singular concessions made by China to Russia. And it is very hard to know what game Germany is playing. In has been rumoured that Spain, in order to meet the expenses of the present war, may transfer the Manilas to Germany at a large price, and if this should happen it would be almost impossible to avoid very serious complications in the China seas. On the other hand, Austria, in throwing in her lot with Spain, may involve that country in war with the United States, and, if so, a general European war will be inevitable." " And are we likely to be involved ?" the interviewer asked. " Australia ? It is hard to know. It will be hard for England to keep aloof from war._ All the mercantile interests of England demand peace, and require that England should maintain peace at any cost ; but, despite the desires of the Government, the country may be dragged into war, and especially if the war on one hand stretches towards Canada, and on the other if it stretches towards the Chinese seas. England will find it almost impossible to keep neutral, and if England is engaged in war, very naturally Australia will have to look out for the defence of her coasts."