WAR NEWS BY THE MAIL.

Waikato Argus, Volume IV, Issue 295, 31 May 1898, Page 3

WAR NEWS BY THE MAIL.

(BY TELEGRAPH—PRESS ASSOCIATION). Wellington, Last Night. News by R.M.S. Warrimoo states that five hundred submarine mines are being placed in San Francisco harbour. It is expected that the war appropriation for six months will make the deficiency reach a hundred and twenty million dollars. Fitzhugli Lee w'as nominated as MajorGeneral by the President. The blockade of Cuba was more or less a failure. Numbers of small craft succeeded in reaching Havana and Matanzas with supplies. In order to get transports for the soldiers for the Philippines the American Government is expected to take advantage of the law giving power to impress steamers suitable for auxiliary cruisers. At the bombardment of Matanzas the Puritan’s first shell smashed in the whole side of the fort, and the loss on the Spanish side was very great. On the Spanish side their plans include a scheme for reconquering Florida. General Parrudos made the proposal and it was approved by General Blanco and the Spanish officials. A Madrid telegram of April 24th says that Germany issued a note declaring she would not allow Manila to be bom barded. No attention is paid in the States to the growls about the blockade and threats to prevent it. During the Civil War the same thing occurred, but came to nothing. The United States officials are seiz’ng as contraband of war all letters for Spain, and in this way they are alleged to have secured important letters from General Blanco and other Spanish officials in Cuba. Prince Bismarck was credited with giving the opinion that Germany ought not to tie its hands by proclaiming its neutrality. The first shot in the war was fired by Patrick Muller, the gunner of the Nashville across the bow of the Spanish steamer Buena Ventura, on the morning of April 22. The Spanish Government threatens if Havana is bombarded to do the same to the great American ports. The dynamite cruiser Nictheroy was partly disabled by au accident to her machinery. Spanish newspapers complain of the inclusion of coal as contraband of war, which it is held gives an unfair advantage to the United States. They cite the strong opposition of England in 1885 to the action of France during the Tonquin war in declaring rice contraband. On April 28th a deputatation waited on President McKinley, and for two hours strongly urged him to annex the Hawaii Islands. -The Government was said to be in favour, but the President while favouring annexation was not disposed to act without the consent of the Senate, especially as there was a strong party opposed to it. He had no desire to become involved in further international complications. The war with Spain, he said, was not being waged for the purpose of acquiring additional territory. At the latest advices nothing was being done, though the importance of Hawaii as a coaling station is becoming daily more fully recognised.