THE WAR.

Waikato Argus, Volume IV, Issue 279, 26 April 1898, Page 3

THE WAR.

VESSELS CAPTURED

NO PRIVATEERING. FINANCIAL PANIC. "Washington, April 53. President McKinley has proclaimed a blockade of the north coast of Cuba, within lines drawn from Cardenas to Bahia Honda, including the port of Havana, and the blockade of Cicnfuegos, on tho southern coast of the island. Advices from Hongkong state that Commodore George Deway, commanding the American - Asiatic squadron, has left Hongkong with six vessels of war. It is thought his object is to attack Manilla, the capital of the Spanish colony of tho Philippines. * The vessels comprising Commodore Deway's squadron are tho cruisers Olympia, Baltimore, Boston and Raleigh, and the gunboats Petrel and Concord.

President McKinley is consulting with tho Foreign Relutions Concniittee of the Senato as to tho advisability of the occupation of a coaling station at Tlawaii, to be used as the base of operations in an attack on tho Spanish possessions in the Pacific Ocean. President McKinley has authorised Mr Srnalley, the Times' New York correspondent, to reiterate the declaration that America has no intention of annexing Cuba. The President has authorised Mr Srnalley to declare that all America gratefully responds to the friendly sentiments expressed to the United States by Britain. Captain Sampson's Key West squadron comprises 23 vessels. The squadron is a powerful one. It ins eludes two battleships, four cruisers, three monitors, eight gunboats and six torpedo-boats. News has been received that General Blanco's patriotic appeals have aroused intense enthusiasm in Cuba. Crowds have sworn to resist the Americans to the last. Havana has six months' provisions. Several cables connected with the submarine mines in New York harbour have been cut. Spanish spies are suspected. It is now stated that the promptness of Spain in severing diplomatic relations led President McKinley to take action. The Key West squadron, under Captain Sampson, has sailed for Havana. Madrid, April 23. A financial panic has occurred in Madrid and Barcelona. There has been a severe run on the Bank of Spain and its branches. The Cape Verdo squadron is awaiting reinforcements from Cadiz before sailing. The traiu by which Mr Woodford, the American Minister, left Madrid was stoned at Valladolid, while an attempt was made at Volsa to detain his secretary, but the scheme was frustrated. April 24. Spain will not issue letters of marque, but exercises the right of search by means of warships and auxiliary mercantile cruisers. An improved tone prevails on the Spanish Bourse, and the rush of depositors to withdraw money from the Bank has mitigated. Washington, April 24.

President McKinley has summoned 125,000 volunteers to serve for two years. President McKinley asks Congress to declare war in order to regularise the situation.

The cruiser Now York has captured the steamer Pedro, off Havana.

The Spaniards have captured the steamer Sheanandoa, bound from San Francisco to Antwerp with a cargo of 20,000 quarters of wheat. It is reported the ship was flying the British flag. A Bill has been introduced in the House of Bepresentatives, increasing the regulars to 61,000. New York, April 23.

Owing to the stagnation of the American wool market caused by the war, American buyers are reshipping 20,000 bales of wool to London. The populace of Havana strongly favour the Spanish. Immense enthusiasm prevails in the town, and there is a strong determination to resist the American attack.

Scnor Bemabo, the Spanish Ambassador, declares if President McKinley had withstood Congress for 30 days there would have been peace in Cuba.

The Americans have captured a Spanish lumber ship at Key West. 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 to the Spanish forco in Cuba for the use of the transport department, have been seized by the United States as contraband of war.

The despatch of troops to Mobile and New Orleans has been countermanded, and the army is concentrating at Chickamuga in Florida. Six thousand persons paraded the streets of Madrid. They smashed the American eagle wherever it was found and hoisted the Spanish flag. The Civil Governor encouraged the rioters. The Spanish torpedo boat Audaz is repairing at Cork. She hopes to escape from the harbour before hostilities commence. The Spanish Embassy at Paris has received large contributions to the war fund. April 24. A torpedo boat attached to Barupson's squadron captured the Spanish steamer Mathilde after a sharp chase. The guns in El Moro Castle, a large fort guarding Havana harbour, fired ten shots at the blockading squadron, which were ineffective. The squadron did not reply. America has decided to recognise that a neutral flag covers an enemy's goods, excepting contraband of war, such goods being liable to seizure, though not under an enemy's flag. America has determined that the blockade must be effective.

Sydney, April 25. A cable was received at Sydney yesterday, per medium of the Central Press Agency, London, staling that the Spanish steamer Alphonso XII., with a tbousaod Spanish troops wa3 captured, after a fourmnWT 3e, off Havana. (by teleoraph—press association). Wku-iniston, Last Night. A Guzette Extraordinary issued tonight contains the usual proclamation re British neutrality in the SpanishAmerican war. At the Hamilton l'rcsbyteiian Church on Sunday morning special reference was made to the war, and prayer was offered that it may ultimately prove to be a blessing to humanity by being the means

cf drawing closer together the Englishspeaking nations of the world. The Union Shipping Company has received advice that there is uo likelihood of interference with the San Francisco mail service.