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Spanish Batteries Are^pgedi Blown ta-4?ieG£$?£ dlfe American Warships for Thirty Minutes Belch Forth a Storm of Iron. REMEMBER THE FAAL FREEDOM FOR cue A sion of war news. The action was taken on a letter addressed to a resident of New Orleans, supposed to be a spy, and was . detained by the. postmaster there upon information that it contained plans of the fortification's l>elow that city, prob­ ably for treasonable use. In reply to his request for instructions, the. postmaster was directed b/ Assistant Attorney Gen­ eral Tyner to lend the letter to the com­ manding general at New Orleans. > CONGRESS MAKES FORMAL DECLARATION, Cuban Forces Are to Cover the Landing of Our Troops. National Guard Responds to the President's Call. jiiso* • " l ' V . • Stirring Events Have Crowded Rapidly One Upon Another. Kcmarkable Response to the Nation's Call for Defenders--State Troops Vol- antecr by Regiments and Mobilize to Go to tbe Front--Congress Makes Formal Declaration of the Opening mt Hostilities--North Atlantic Squad­ ron Has Havana Blockaded. Washington correspondence: Events are transpiring rapidly these days. History is being made in great leaps, and many pages are completed in a week. Beginning with the heated sena­ torial discussion as to how the President should be authorized to intervene in Cuba, a seven days closed with the call for 125,- 000 volunteers and legislation to increase the regular army to about 60,000 men. Events have lately moved fast enough for the most warlike men at the national capital. First the long and bitter fight over the Cuban resolution in Cougress, which cul­ minated in an agreement at 2 o'clock Tuesday morning. Tuesday afternoon the resolutions were laid before the President for his signature, but that was delayed aatil the next day, because Congress was not in session. ^Wednesday the resolu­ tions were signed and the ultimatum sent to Madrid and also to the Spanish minis­ ter in Washington, who promptly asked for and received his passports, leaving the capital for Canada the same evening. Thursday came the news from Madrid that the American minister, Gen. Wood­ ford. was dismissed and all diplomatic relations between the two governments •evered before the ultimatum could be presented there. The same day the Presi­ dent ordered the North Atlantic squadron to proceed to Havana and blockade that eity and the north coast of Cuba. Friday Saturday came the culminating event of the week, the call for 125.000 volunteers, the last resort of the Government in going to war. It was a week filled with excite­ ment. The War and Navy Departments werp crowded with officials in making active preparations for the prosecution of the war; the White House was besieged with Senators and Representatives urg­ ing friends for appointment as major gen­ erals and brigadiers; the National Guard of the District was under arms, awaiting the order to be mustered into the service, and move; the armories were crowded with fathers and mothers, sisters and wives and sweethearts, waiting for the summons that would start the boys to the frout to the music of "The Girl I Left Behind Me," aud the streets were crowd­ ed with men and women anxiously dis­ cussing the war news, while fakirs were reaping a rich harvest selling flags, but­ tons and mottoes, "Remember the Maine!" The national capital has not seen such excitement since the days of the civil war. But, in all the excitement CAPTAIX SAMPSON. BIDDIKG MILITIAMEN FAREWELL. A BILL declaring that war exists between the United States of America and /\ the Kingdom of Spain. ;' x ^ ~L Be it. enacted, etc.: ' - First--That war be and the same is hereby declared to exist and that war has existed since-the 21st day of April, A. D., 1898, including said day, between the United States o£ America and the Kingdom of Spain. , Second--That the President of the United States be, and lie hereby is, di­ rected and empowered to use the entire land and naval forces of the1 United States and to call into the actual service of the United States the militia Of the several States to such extent, as may be necessary to carry this act into effect. President McKinley's War Message. To the Senate and House of Representa­ tives of tbe United States of America: I transmit to Congress for Its considera­ tion and appropriate action copies of corre­ spondence recently had with the representa­ tive of Spain in the United States with the United States minister at Madrid, and through the latter with the Government of Spain, showing the action taken under the joint resolution approved April 20, 1898, "for the recognition of the independence of the people of Cnba, demanding that the Govern­ ment of Spain relinquish its authority aud government In the Island of Cuba and to withdraw its land and naval forces from Cuba and Cuban waters, and directing the President of the-Unlted States to carry these resolutions into effect." Upon communicating with the Spanish minister In Washington the demand'which It became the duty of the Executive to address to the Government of Spain, in obedience to said resolution, the said minister asked for his passports and withdrew. The United States minister at Madrid was In turn noti­ fied by the Spanish Minister for Foreign Af­ fairs that the withdrawal of the Spanish representative from the United States had sponds by treating the representative de­ mands of this Government as measures of hostility, following with that instaut and complete severance of relations by Its action whereby the usage of nations accompanies an existent stato of war between sovereign powers. The position of Spain being thus made known, and the demands of the United States being denied, with a complete rup­ ture of intercourse by the act of Spain. I have been constrained, In exercise of the power and authority, conferred upon me by tho joint resolution aforesaid, to proclaim, under date of April 22, 1808, a blockade of certain ports on the north coast of Cuba lying between Cardenas and Bahai Honda, and of the port of Clenfugos 6n the south coast of Cuba; arid further, in exercise of my constitutional powers, and using the au­ thority conferred upon me by the act of Con­ gress approved April 22, 1808, to issue my proclamation dated April 23, 1898, calling for volunteers In order to carry Into effect the said resolutions of April 20, 1808. Copies of these proclamations are hereto appended. In view of the measures so taken, and with a view to the adoption of snch other measures as may be necessary to enable me the squadron appeared before Havana and began the blockade. The Nashville -fired the first gun in the war and captur­ ed the first prize. The President issued his proclamation declaring the blockade io all the world aud Congress passed the Tolnnteer army bill. President McKinley called his cabinet about him Saturday morning and after earefnlly going over the volunteer army bill and its changes from the bill as orig- * bully drawn, signed it and a little later issued his proclamation calling for 125,000 volunteers. The War Department began . at once to make up the quotas under this aew call, but it was decided not to send and all the anxiety there was the feeling of security and confidence in the cause and the outcome. The President issued his proclamation for volunteers Saturday because the coun­ try expected it. He realized that the people wanted to know whether he in­ tended to caii upon the volunteer forces to fight Spain. So he signed the procla­ mation and let it "go to the world. On Monday he sent a special message to Con­ gress recommending a declaration of war. He recited the events that have brought about a state of war and asked Congress to declare that war exists between the United States and the kingdom of Spain and her colonies, and Congress did in very short order. The war is on formally and in reality. The President's call to arms was anti­ cipated by every State, and it found the volunteers ready to go. In a few days the regiments will be in the service of the Government, aud they are not made up of raw troops. > These 125,000 volunteers are largely confined to the National Guard. They have been mobilized in their respective States and will be drilled for a short time. They will then be moved to the coast, and if it is decided to send a large army of oc­ cupation to Cuba the transports will be ready, and, guarded by the, navy, these transports will carry the boys in blue over to Cuba to fight for .freedom and drive out Spain,' yhile they remember the Maine. Most of , tho men are already well drilled, well <trained, and used to camp lire. They'lire eager for service; they are resolute for immediate action; they are ready for whatever comes. Action'is the order of the hour. On the sea the American fleets ,-i.re moving in battle formation. On the land the troops are being massed for"'stipt>0rt. On the Pacific the Hawaiian Islands have been brought under the flag, and the Philip­ pines are threatened. Washington is again the center of th'e tt&rtd's interest. The American people'"and^the American Government are moving forward to ac­ complish a great purpose. They are not talking, bqcause this Iji the time for ac­ tion. Disappointments may come; vessels may be lost; armies may be repulsed, but still the purpose will remain, and its achievement will be sure. The officers of tlje War Department are much pleased at the promptness with which the various States and territories have responded to the call issued by Pres­ ident McKinley for 125,000 volunteers. Almost every State offered to send more than its quota and the Governor of terminated diplomatic relations between the to carry out the expressed will of the Con- two countries, and that all official communi- gress of the United States in the premises, cations between their respective representa- I now recommend to your honorable body tlves ceased therewith. the adoption of a joint resolution declaring I recommend to your especial attention that a state of war exists between the Unl- ths note addressed to the United States mln- ted States of America and the Kingdom of lster at Madrid by the Spanish Minister for Spain, and I urge the speedy action thereon, Foreign Affairs on tho 21st inst., whereby, to the end that the definition of the Interna- the foregoing notification was conveyed. It tlonal status of the United States as a bellig- wlll be perceived therefrom that the Govern­ ment of Spain, having cognizance of the joint resolution of tbe.United States Congress, and In view of things which the President is thereby required and authorized to do, re- erfent power may be made known, and the assertion of all its rights and the mainte­ nance of all Its duties in the conduct of a public war may be assured. WILLIAM M'KINLEY. THE CALL FOR VOLUNTEERS. Following is a copy of the proclamation issued by the President calling for 125,000 volunteers to serve in the war with Spain: "By the President of the United States, a proclamation: "Whereas, By a joint resolution of Congress, approved on the 20th of April, 1808. entitled 'Joint resolution for the recognition of the Independence of SHERMAN OUT OF THE CABINET. Secretary of State Sherman handed in his resignation at the special cabinet meeting Monday morning. The resigna­ tion went into effect at noon the same day. Secretary Sherman says he does not want his retirement from the cabinet mis­ understood. It is, he says, entirely vol­ untary. While his health is good, he rec- PRIZES WILL BE HELD. Government. Has No Thought of Re- ' leasing Them. - The matter of the prizes taken by the United States fleet in Cuban waters was discussed at the cabinet meeting Tues­ day. The case of the Buena Ventura was referred to in particular. This and CAPTAIN-GENERAL BLANCO. all other prize cases go to the prize court, which is the United States District Court having jurisdiction of the port where landed. If properly seized these ships will be condemned and sold. All nations, it is said, recognize properly constituted prize courts as the only authority having jurisdiction, and their decisions are taken as conclusive and final. The Govern­ ment has iiu thought Of releasing auy of the prizes taken, except in rare cases where an evident error has been commit­ ted. For a $400,000,000 Loan. Secretary of the Treasury Gage went to New York Tuesday to arrange for a war loan of $400,000,000. Bonds to this United States Army Officer Gets Within tfae Enemy s Lines. Details of the Plan of Sending Arms and Landing Our Soldiers Will Be Perfected--War Department's Maps of Cuba Will Also Be Corrected by Means of Information Secured from the Insurgent Leaders--A Hazardous Undertaking. "TRAflP, TRAHP, TRAMP, THE BOYS ARE HARCHINQ." leitpel DISTANCES BETWEEN UNITED STA'J ES AND SPANISH POINTS. ant these to the Governors of States the same day because it would make Sunday a day of rallying to arms instead of a day of rest. The situation was not regarded •9 critical as to call for such haste in placing the volunteer army in the field, aa Admiral Sampson had his North At­ lantic squadron in front of Havana with a complete blockade of all Cuban ports qontrolled by the Spanish army, and which have railroad communication with Havana; and Captain Bob Evans, the fighting captain, had the big battle ship Iowa in front of Morro Castle with her £nn8 trained on that center of Spanish authority. Cuba was in possession of the insurgents and Cuban waters were con­ trolled by the United States navy. The Spabisb fleet was still far away, and while Blanco threatened and the Spanish army under him excitedly gathered about the "fortifications the squadron of big American warships with frowning guns ready to send shells into the city scream- Sag out freedom and independence, made the whole Havana, scene as reassuring the peopleof Cuba.'demanding that the Government of-Spain relinquish its au­ thority and government in the Island .. of Cuba, to withdraw its land and naval forces from Cuba and Cuban waters, and directing the President of the Uni­ ted States to use the land and naval forces of the United States to carry these resolutions into effect; and. "Whereas, By an act of Congress, en­ titled 'An act to provide for the In­ creasing of the military establishment of the United States in time of war. and for other purposes,' approved April 22, 1898. the President was authorized,' In order to raise a volunteer array, to issue his proclamation calling kit vol­ unteers to serve In the army of the Uni­ ted States. "Now, therefore, I, Wli'am McKin­ ley, President of the Uniivil States, l>y virtue of tho power vested in me by the Constitution and laws, and deeming sufficient occasion to exist, have thought fit to call for, and hereby do call for volunteers to the aggregate number of 125,000, in order to carry in­ to effect the purpose of the said reso­ lution, the same to be apportioned as far as practicable among the several States and Territories aud the District of Columbia, according io population and to serve for two years, unless soon­ er discharged. The details for this ob­ ject will be immediately communicated to the proper authorities through the War Department. "In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and caused the seal of the United States to be affixed. "Done at Washington, this twenty- third day of April. 1898. and of the In­ dependence of the United States the 122d. WM. M'KINLEY. "By the President: "JOHN SHERMAN. Sec'y of State." ognizes his extreme age, and that the very exciting times which at present pre­ vail make it necessary that a younger and more active man should be placed at the head of the State Department. Mr. Sherman retires from public life after a service of more than forty years, embrac­ ing the House of Representatives, the United States Senate, the secretaryship of the treasury aud the secretaryship of State. William R. Day, first assistant Secretary of State, succeeds to the oflice vacated by Mr. Sherman. He has had entire charge of Cuban affairs almost since the beginning of the present admin­ istration. Females. Total. ....... 18,000,000 Pennsylvania.telegraphed Gen. Alger that the Keystone State alone would be glad to furnish the entire 125,000. CHANGES IN REVENUE BILL. Five Pei; Cent Discount Will Be Al­ lowed on Beer Stainpn. The war revenue bill us reported to the House Tuesday contains three changes from the bill as originally drafted, as fol­ lows: A discount of 5 per cent on beer stamps is. allowed after the passage of the act. .Telephone messages are subject to a tax of 1 cent on messages trauismit- ted thirty miles or more, the cost of which does not exceed 25 feents-, between 25 cents and $1.50, cents; between $1.50 and $5, 5 cents; iin excess of $5, 10 cents. Official telephonic and telegraphic mes­ sages of the Government are exempt from taxation." The differential of y2 cent on mineral waters and beverages, domestic or imported, not, otherwise subject to in­ ternal fixation, .fin half-pint bottles, * . - . is nr «***•»*• -- eliminated'^ go -tjjat, the dividing line is and no more threatening than the raving pint bogles coniainjng one. pint or less ••t a maniac behind the bars. j to pay lr,{^nt; TtiorV"thari one pint, 2 cents. PANAMA Its t.-iPTUKKD. Big Spanish Liner Token Twenty Miles Off Havan^ The Spanish steamer Panama Was sighted twenty miles off Havana by the Mangrove. The battleship Indiana was three miles away. The Mangrove fired a shot, but the Panama paid no attention. Another shot made her slow down. At the third she stopped. The Indiana heard the shots and steamed up. Before she arrived Ensign Dayton went from the Mangrove with two men to the Panama as prizemaatcr. The Indiana sent Naval Cadet Falconer and fifteen marines to bring the ship in. The Panama is one of Spain's naval re­ serve ships. She did not know of the blockade, and showed regular lights. The passengers at first thought the Mangrove to be a Spanish ship, and congratulated themselves. The Panama had ou board a large cargo of provisions for Havana, aud a number of Spanish refugees from New York. A sharp lookout had been kept for her, although as war was immi­ nent when she sailed it was thought she might not try to reach Havana. The value of the ship and cargo, roughly ap­ proximates $1,000,000, which goes to the crews of the Indiaua and Mangrove. SPANISH NATIONAL STATISTICS. Significant Fitrures from the Diario Del Coinniercio of Barceloua. Population of Spain In round Males. numbers Able to read and write ... .3,417,855 Have no trade or profession. 1,904,113 Priests, Friars and church •dignitaries Nuns Devoted to ag­ riculture ....4,033,391 Teachers 24,642 S c h o o l a t t e n d ­ ance .1,009,810 Literary writers 1,171 Physicians . .. 20,477 Office holders Pensioners Servants 89,958 P r o f c s s l o u a l beggars 39,279 2,080,615 6,764,113 82S.531 14,490 719,110 74 319,596 51,946 6,104,470 8,727,519 43,528 28,549 4.S61.922 39,132 1,728,920 1,245 20.555 97,257 64,000 409,554 91,225 To Force Spain's Hand. The dismissal of the United .States squadron from Hong Kong and the ap­ parent severity of the British Governmen/ in regard to -the United States torpedo boat Somers at Falmouth, it is said, were incidents prearranged by American and British diplomacy, the real object being to force the Portuguese Government to order the Spanish fleet" to leave the" Cape Verde Islands, and to prevent other na­ tions at a critical moment from offering similar •'hospitality. Keep Watch on Senor Polo. John E. Wilkie, chief of the U. S. secret service, hns his agents watching the movements of Senor Polo, late Spanish minister in Washington, who is summon­ ing former Spanish consuls in this coun­ try to Canada. If he does not leave Canada soon a representation will prob­ ably be made by this Government to Great Britain that she is harboring a spy upon the American people. amount will be taken by a syndicate of New York bankers. The revenue bill Taises $100,000,000 by taxation, $100,- 000,000 by a popular bond issue, and the balance, $400,000,000, must be sold to those who can produce the gold. The amount has been pledged. To Increase the Kegular Army. Preparations are being made to rapidly recruit the regular army up to its max­ imum of (50,000 to 05,000 men under the reorganization bill. This will require en­ listment of about 25,000 men. Pjiain Peeks Sympathy. The Spanish Government sent a circu­ lar to the powers regretting "the hard ne­ cessity of being compelled to appeal to force in order to repel the scandalous ag­ gression of the United States," etc. The note concludes: "The Spanish people await the attack with tranquil serenity, A United States army officer has made his way to the camp of Gen. Calixto Gar­ cia of the Cuban insurgent army, and had consultation with him in reference to arming the Cubans and the co-opera­ tion of the Cuban and United States troops. This officer is Lieut. A. S. Row­ an, Nineteenth Infantry, who was landed before daylight Monday west of Santiago from the United States torpedo boat Por­ ter, Lieut. Fremont commanding. He was met by Cuban guides who were in waiting, and without delay the party set out for Garcia's camp. The arrangements for the reception of Rowan were made ten days or more before in Washington at a conference between Gen. Miles and Senor Palma. Gen. Garcia, commanding the Cuban forces in the eastern end of the island, is therefore now in fuii possession of the United States military plan of cam­ paign. Lieut. Rowan was ordered by the secret service bureau to go on a secret mission in behalf of the War Department. It was at first thought that his destination was Porto Rico. Then definite orders were issued for him to proceed to Jamaica, and thence cross to Cuba and endeavor to reach Garcia's camp, to communicate to the general the plans of the United States Government. He was also to ask the rebel leader to make arrangements for effecting a junction of the insurgents in southeastern Cuba with a probable Amer­ ican expedition. Lieut. Rowan was told to obtain information of the character of the country and to make maps and plans for the use of the information bureau as soon as he made a landing. He sailed for Jamaica April 9 by the Atlas steamer, and reached Kingston April 15. He put himself at once in com­ munication with Mr. Deut, the United States consul there, and perfected his plans to cross over the line. As he went to eastern Cuba, it is in­ ferred that a blow will be struck there before one is struck at Porto Rico. With him he took an oflicial Spanish map of eastern Cuba, with emendations made by the War Department hydrographers. It is expected that Gen. Garcia will cover a lauding of the United States troops. New York, Puritan and Cincinnati Are the Vessels Engaged in the First Serious Engagement of the War- Spanish Land Defenses Seriously- Damaged and Loss of Life of the De­ fenders Is JReported--No" Casualties on Fleet--Morro Castle F£res. >' ' ..." - . '• ViT*.' FROM THE FRONT. The rebels destroyed a troop train ten miles from Havana. _ Thousands visit the camfs of the reg­ ulars in Southern cities. Gen. Weyler is to be sent to Cuba in command of an ar&y corps. The Spaniards reserve the right to re­ sort to privateers if need arises. The cruiser Defroit captured the Cata- lina twelve miles from Havana. Gen. Pando is in charge of the Spanish army massed for the defense of Havana. Patriotic demonstrations take place at the theaters throughout the cities over war songs. The gunboat Helena seized the Miguel Jover with a cargo valued at $400,000. Gen. Brooke is rapidly organizing the regulars at Chickamauga. It is expcct- The flagship New York, monitor Puri- • tan, and cruiser Cincinnati, under Ad­ miral Sampson;: On Wednesday afternoon boqjbarded the Spanish batteries that were in position and in course of construc­ tion at the entrance to Matanzjis harbor. They were pretty thoroughly destroyed. The list of dead on the Spanish side must be large, but there is no way of, telling the number of fatalities. The flagship was first fired upon by the batteries on Point Rubal Cava and Point Maya, while the Puritan, New York and Cincinnati were reconnoitering for the purpose of locatingjind ultimately destroying the works the Spaniards were building. The New York steamed in be­ tween the batteries, and opened both broadsides on the Spaniards. The Puri­ tan engaged the Cape Maya battery and the Cincinnati went to starboard of the New York, close up to the land, and sent a broadside of shells into Ruba Cava. The batteries returned the fire, but not one of the shots took effect. They fired explosive shells, and they all fell wide of the mark, no damage of any kind result­ ing. A shrapuell shell exploded above the New York, and one shell exploded just beyond the stern. All others were wast­ ed. The batteries were reduced in. just twenty minutes. The final shot from the enemy came from Ruba Ca.ya, and drew from the Puritan a reply from one of her twelve-inch guns, which struck the bat­ tery and blew up a section of it. The United States ships did not retire uctil the Spanish refused to renew the engage­ ment. They left the batteries in ruifirt. During the engagement not a soul COUN! be seen on the shore, and the puffs o~ smoke came up from the batteries as if by magic. The NeAV York tossed the shells into Rubal Cava at the rate of about three a minute, and the marksmanship could not have been better. When the Puritan final­ ly got its range her shells burst every time within the fortifications of Point Maya, and there was a cloud of dust fol­ lowed by the collapse of the hard mate­ rials of which the fortifications were com­ posed. The air was literally filled with the debris, and there was almost a con­ tinuous explosion. „ The seaport town of Matanzas, in the province of that name, is on the north­ west coast of Cuba, about fifty-two miles east of Havana. It is connected by rail with Havana, Cardenas and the other principal towns on the island. Its popu­ lation before the commencement of the present Cuban war was about 35,000. Matanzas was one of the chief starva­ tion pens created by Weyler's concentprt- tion order. Considerable supplies were received from the United States just be­ fore the breaking out of the war. but Consul Brice was driven out by the Span­ ish mob before he could finish distribut­ ing them. They have since been seized for the Spanish army. Morro Castle Fires. Four shots were fired at the New York from Morro Castle Wednesday morning. The flagship was about six or eight miles from Havana. None of the shots came near her. She did not reply, but steamed out of range. Montserrat at Cienfuegos. A dispatch from Havana states that the Spanish troopship Montserrat has successfully run the blockade. In Wash­ ington the greatest doubt is expressed of the. truth of the report. WAR NEWS IN BRIEF. PROFILE OF GAB AN AS FORTRESS, FROM HAVANA HARBOR. decided to sell their lives dear and to de- feud energetically their right, to remain in America, confident that in this work they will have the assistance of Cubans, who are Spaniards like themselves." Somers Is Tied Up. The United States torpedo boat;Somers at Falmouth, Eng.; was notified that, in view of the neutrality measures, she should not leave port, and a British tor­ pedo boat took up a position near her. Fear Treason in Mail Matter. The Postofficei Department Tuesday took the first'step toward the establish­ ment of a system of surveillance of mail matter in connection with the transmis- May Sail Without Orders. It was announced in Madrid Tuesday that the Spanish admiral at St. Vincent threatens to sail without orders unless sent against the USlted States warships. Sampson Wanted to Shoot. Admiral Sampson asked leave of Wash­ ington Tuesday to reply to the fire of Spanish laud batteries. The reply was a refusal. Orders have been issued bV the Navy Department to prevent the newspaper boat* from following the fleet. ed 50,000 troops will be concentrated at that place. After a short oh a seethe revenue cutter Winona succeeded in overhauling the Saturnina. , Onadidin and Antonio, two Spanish merchantmen, were made prizes of war without interference.. A Paris dispatch says that not a single French paper or a single Frenchman sup­ ports the United States. " Roentgen ray experts expect to do val­ uable service in case of war by locating the positions of bullets in wounded men. The Atlantic naval division of the French northern squadron is under or­ ders to cruise constantly in the vicinity of Cuba. The Ouban army and leaders are anx­ ious to serve under the direction of the general commanding the United States army of occupation. Sampson's fleet has been keeping a sharp lookout for Spanish steamers on their way to Havana carrying coal, lum­ ber, provisions, etc. The Queen Regent's advisers are all for war. Men in all sections of the United States are eager to enlist. The gunboat Newport brought in a schooner and a sloop. Gen. Fitzlfugh Lee and Captain Sigs- bee have been challenged by Spaniards to fight duels. A Spanish war vessel is said to ba watching near Buenos Ayres for the bat­ tleship. Oregon. , A The mobilization orders to the National Guard WH?re .received everywhere with great enthusiasm. . • • The Spanish Government has made overtures to Germany for the sale of the Philippines for $20,000,000. • ' Sutlers are to be prohibited in the cam­ paign of the army in Cuba, and while the troops are encamped in the South. The War Department has let contracts for $5,000,000 worth of cloth. The ma­ terial is for clothing for the volunteer army. The transport Panther, with 800 men, escorted by the cruiser Montgomery, put to sea from Fort Monroe, Ya., for Key West. As soon as word reached Chicago that the first shot in the war with Spain had been fired the flag on the city hall was raised, and it will not come down till the war is over. The American embassy in London is overrun with British applicants who want to serve in our army and navy. Some of them are commissioned officers in the Queen's service. ? Reports from Havana tell ofystartling advances in prices and an alarming scar­ city of food supplies. A serious outcome is predicted if something is not done soon in the way of relief. Arrangements hnve beep madfe by the War Department to supply the Ouban sol­ diers with weapons and such frther mate­ rials of war as are necessary. Because the Government of the United Stat&s will not allow Madrid aind New "York telegrams to come to Havana for the press, the Spanish censor at that city has closed the cables to correspondents of New York newspapers. The train which carried Gen. Lee and party from Tampa, Fla., to .Washington made a remarkable run. The distance covered was 1,063 miles; time, 24 hours and 9 minutes; average speed, 45 miles an hour, the fastest long-distance run ever made in this country. •S ••• i'"'- .