The War.

Waikato Argus, Volume IV, Issue 289, 17 May 1898, Page 3

The War.

THE OPPOSING SQUADRONS. THEIE WHEREABOUT ASCERTAINED. (BY ELECTRIC TELEUBAVH—COPYRIGHT,. (Received May 16, 10.50 p.m.) Washington, May 15. The American squadron, under Admiral Samson, has reached Puerto Plata, on the northern coast of San Domingo. The Spanish squadron, under Admiral Gerveras, is at the Dutch Island of Curacoa. MORE TROUBLE FOR SPAIN. MARTIAL LAW IN THE CANARY ISLANDS. Madrid, May 15. Martial law has been proclaimed in the Canary Islands, which belong to Spain. EAST INDIA CABLES CUT. New York, May 15. Three of the East India cables have been cut. THE SHIP J.V. TROOP. Sydney, May 16. The vessel, J.V. Troop, which the American squadron seized at Manila, left Newcastle in February with nineteen hundred tons of coal. She is owned by Troop and Sons, New Brunswick. ]Re-printed from our Special Editions of Saturday and Monday.] Washington, May 12. Admiral Sampson, with nine warships, bombarded the San Juan forts. Reports from Port Au Prince state that the lowa fired the first shot; the Indiana followed. The forts were laid in ruins within a few minutes. A slight response was made by the batteries to the American fire. The town of San Juan then surrendered. The Consuls and several thousand residents fled to the interior. The cruiser Yale captured the Spanish steamer Rita. Admiral Dewey telegraphs that he still maintains the blockade of Manila. He also states that be has secured the breechloaders from the sunken Spanish vessels at Manila, and a quantity of arsenal storaf. H.M.S. Linnet, which was detailed to watch the operations at Manila, has returned to Hongkong. Her captain has reported to the British Government that Admiral Dewey is unwilling to bombard the city of Manila. He hopes to Btarvo the garrison into subjection. The Spaniards defy him, and declare they have ample food stores placed beyond the range of the warships' guns. General Meritt, who goes as Com-mander-in-Chief of the American army for the occupation of the Philippines, takes as a first instalment 1500 troopß. The first' transport vessels to be employed are the steamers Australia and City of Pekin, whilst the City of Sydney sails next week. Washington, May 13. Although later American accounts confirm the surrender of San Juan, ■with great loss of life, the Spanish Governor of the city cables that the damage done by the bontbardment was inconsiderable, and the loss of life insignificant. Accounts from both American and Spanish sources state that the Spanish Cape Verde squadron has arrived off Martinique. Reports from Havana state that four American warships opened fire upon Cienfuegos, with the object of landing arms and ammunition for the Cuban rebels on the coast. The infantry and the forts compelled the warships to retire. The authorities at Washington are inclined to doubt the accuracy of the report. A man, named George Downing, who was arrested at Washington, on suspicion of being a Spanish spy, committed suicide. Washington, May 14. The American cruiser Wilmington, the revenue cutter Hudson and the torpedo boat Winslow attacked Cardenas. Gunboats and the forts shelled the attacking vessels. Through her boiler being struck, the result of an explosion of ammunition, the Winslow was rendered helpless. The Hudson was also badly damaged, but she towed the Winslow to Pedras. Ensign Bagley and four American seamen were killed. The American steamer, Gussie, succeeded in landing arms and stores for the insurgents at Cuhanis, but the Spaniards prevented the landing of the troops owing to the proximity of .the fleet under Admiral Corveras. General Miles has suspended the invasion of Cuba. Preparations at Tampa have been stepped owing to the reports that the Spanish warships are on the New England coast. The New York harbour is completely closed at night. Admiral Sampson is now searching for the fleet under Admiral Corveras, and Admiral Schley has left Hampton Roads to assist him. The Spanish fleet, under Admiral Corveras, consists of four cruisers and three torpedo destroyers. Admiral Sampson has two battleships, two monitors, five ciuisers, and the cruising steamer Paris. 6 Admiral Schley commands one battleship, five cruisers, and the steamer Illinois. It is stated that the Cape Verde squadron has been sighted in the Caribbean sea, and is believed to be bound for Cuba. Washington, May 15. The American plans have consequently been changed, and the invading army will not start, pending a naval battle which is now imminent. The engagement is likely to be keen, for the vessels comprising the Cape Verde squadron are of a superior character. % Madrid, May 13. he Senate has adopted a Bill mak- . provision for war expenditure. •Admiral Bermejo (Minister of Marine), Senor Moret (Minister for the Colonies), and Senor Conde de Divuena (Minister of Public Works), have resigned their positions in the Cabinet. Premier Sagasta is reconstructing the Cabinet. Senor Bermejo, Minister of Marino, declares that the Cape Verde squaddon is where it ought to be acoording to instructions issued. The American naval authorities are convinced that the report about-the Cape Verde squadron being at Cadiz is inaocurate.

Hongkong, May 14. The American squadron at Manila has seized the- vessel Troup, supposed to have been bound from Newcastle, N.B.W. Berlin, May 12. The German Government has despatched four warships to Manila, with a view of conserving the interests of Geauian subjects. London, May 12. Senor Bonilla, the Spanish ConsulGoueral at Montreal, has protested to the British Government against the sale and transport of sulphur in Canada intended for America. It is claimed that sulphur is a contraband of war. Port Darwin, May 15. Eastern news states that the Manila defences were in a poor state and the mines and torpedoes are mostly mythical. The land defences are antique and there is also a scarcity of ammunition and projectiles. It was stated in Manila that the American squadron took from Hong Kong one of the banished insurgent chiefs under promise to land him at Luzon, where he was to gather rebels to assist American operations.