April 30, 1898.]
it ought to be the policy of the English press to give a more correct appreciation of our position and influence, instead of play- ing into the hands of our rivals. While the attitude of our Government was one of re- treating, it was necessary to speak out plainly, even at the cost of causing our rivals to scoff, but now that the retreating attitude has been abandoned it is no longer wise to cry "stinking fish."
CHINA OVERLAND TRADE REPORT.
Mr. Williams is at present staying with Mr. Rounsevelle Wildman, the United States Consul-General at Hongkong.
Soon after his arrival Mr. Williams, accom- pained by Mr. Wildman, endeavoured to get to Company's steamtug Fame, but the sea was too the fleet in Mirs Bay, going out in the Dock rough to admit of communication being effected and they had to return. They will go out again this morning at six o'clock
The fleet, we understand, will sail this after
noon.
EXTENSIVE SEIZURE OF FORGED party now in Hongkong are endeavouring to The members of the Philippine revolutionary BANK NOTES.
secure permission to accompany the American fleet.
TWO ARRESTS AT SINGAPORE,
[SPECIAL TELEGRAM TO THE “DAILY PRESS."
Singapore, 28th April. Two passengers by the Preussen have been arrested with forged bank notes in their posses- sion of a face value of $300,000.
from San Francisco and that five thousand It is rumoured that the fleet is to be reinforced troops are being sent in transports for opera- tions in the Philippines.
The American residents remaining at Manila [The Preussen is bringing the incoming Gersailing ships, with the exception of one family have left their bouses and gone on board British man mail.]
THE SPANISH-AMERICAN WAR,
Hongkong, 25th April. MOVEMENTS OF THE AMERICAN FLEET.
The United States cruiser Baltimore, which, arrived on Friday, went into dock at Kowloon on Saturday and came out again yesterday morn. ing. In the afternoon the Boston, Concord, Petrel and Hugh McCulloch, with the store ships Zafiro and Nanshan, left the harbour by the Lyeemom Pass for Mirs Bay, where they will be joined to-day by the Olympia, Baltimore, and Raleigh. Although, as reported by Reuter, hostilities have commenced, there has as yet been no formal declaration of war. Under these circumstances some uncertainty still attaches to the future movements of the United States squadron in these waters. If war is declared the vessels will at once proceed to the Philippines, but in the absence of such declaration it is to be pe sumed there would be no fighting in the Far East. The position, we take it, would then be that the United States would proceed to enforce the ultimatum with reference to the Spanish withdrawal from, Cuba; Spain would as a point of honour offer resistance, but with the fall of Havana she would probably retire and let the matter end there so far as she is con- cerned. This would be a case of applying what the text books on international law term "mea- sures of constraint" by the United States as against Spain. If there is to be a declaration of war it will have to come from Spain, and all her interest lies in localising hostilities, for if she declares war she will in all probability lose the Philippines as well as Cuba, whereas in the alternative she may retain the one while losing
the other.
Reater informs as that the U.S. fleet has left Key West to blockade Havana. Key West, the great American naval arsenal, only about sixty miles from Havana, so that there would be little delay in the establishment of the blockade. Private telegrams have been received that a Spanish vessel, the Buena Ventura which it is supposed was carrying Munitions of war, has been captured by the Americans.
PROCLAMATION OF NEUTRALITY.
His Excellency Major-General Wilsone Black, the Officer Administering the Govern- ment of Hongkong, issued a proclamation of neutrality on Saturday evening.
26th April. The United States men-of-war Olympia Baltimore, and Raleigh left the harbour yes- terday morning for Mirs Bay.
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We understand the United States question the legality of the neutrality proclamation, seeing that war has not been declared.
27th April. The pacific blockade of Cuba by the United States has apparently developed into actual war, as instructions have been received for the American fleet to leave for Manila.
named Johnson, in which there has recently been a birth, and the mother not being in a condition to be removed. Mr. Johnson is one of the proprietors of a travelling cinematograph. | When the Esmeralda left. Mauila there was Great Admiral, which was loading cargo of only one American sailing ship in port, the hemp for New York. In accordance with the asual rule she would no doubt be allowed a specified number of days within which to leave after the declaration of war.
Rumours were in circulation, as they have been for a long time past, as to the intentions of the Philippine rebels, who, it is said, are ready to descend upon Manila as soon as the American fleet appears. No apprehension of anything in the nature of a sack of the city is entertained, however. The presence of the American fleet would in itself be a guarantee against anything of that kind, and another guarantee is that the belligerents and outrages rebels aim at securing recognition as civilised foreign to their programme.
are consequently
EXTRAORDINARY PROCLAMATION BY THE GOVERNOR-GENERAL OF THE
"SPANIARDS.—
44
PHILIPPINES.
Between Spain and the United States of North America hostilities have broken out.
The moment has arrived to prove to the world that we possess the spirit to conquer those who, pretending to be loyal friends, take advantage of our misfortunes and abuse onr hospitality, using menus which civilised nations
count unworthy and disreputable.
The North American people, constituted of patience and provoked war with their perfidious all the social excresences, have exhausted our machinations, with their acts of treachery, with their outrages against the law of nations and
international conventions.
The God of Victories will give us one as bril The struggle will be short and decisive. liant and complete as the righteousness and justice of our cause demand. Spain, which will emerge triumphantly from this new test, counts upon the sympathies of all the nations, humiliating and blasting the adventurers from those States that, without cohesion and without a history, offer to humanity ouly infamous traditions and the ungrateful spectacle of defamation, cowardice and cynicism. Chambers in which appear united insolence and
"A squadron manned by foreigners, possess ing neither instruction n iscipline, is pre- ruffianly intention of robbing us of all that paring to come to this archipelago with the
to be inspired by a courage of which they means life, honour, and liberty. Pretending are incapable, the North American seamen undertake as an enterprise capable of realisation Catholic religion you profess, to treat you as the substitution of Protestautism for the
sion of your riches as if they were unacquainted tribes refractory to civilisation, to take posses,
those persons whom they consider useful to man with the rights of property, and to kidnap their ships or to be exploited in agricultural or
1
Vain designs! Ridiculous boastings!
The Esmeralda, with Mr. O. F. Williams (American Consul) on board, arrived in Hong- kong from Manila at about seven o'clock yester-industrial labour. day morning. She left Manila at about seven o'clock on Saturday evening, and had an unin- terrupted voyage. The light in the harbour at Manila was extinguished by the Spanish authorities as she drew out,
**
Your indomitable bravery will suffice to frus- trate the attempt to carry them into realisation. You will not allow the faith you pro- fess to be made a mock of impious hands
341
to be placed on the temple of the true God, the images you adore to be thrown down by unbelief. The aggressors shall not profane the tombs of your fathers, they shall not gratify their lustful passions at the cost of your wives and daughters' houour, or appropriate the property provision for your old age. No, they shall not that your industry has accumulated as & perpetrate any of the crimes inspired by their wickedness and covetousness, because your valour and patriotism will suffice to punish and abase the people that, claiming to be civilised and enltivated, hare exterminated the natives of North America instead of bringing to them the life of civilisation and of progress.
is ever covered with laurels, let us fight with united under the glorious Spanish flag, which Philipinos, prepare for the struggle and,
the conviction that victory will crown efforts, and to the calls of our enemies let us oppose with the decision of the Christian and the patriot the cry of " Viva Espana."
'Manila, 23rd April, 1898
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"Your General
our
BASILIO AUGUSTÍN DAVILA,” Another proclamation of the same date de- clares that any one offering assistance directly or indirectly to the enemy shall be summarily punished with death, and that those who tried by Court Martial as a traitor and be propose the submission of any place besieged by the enemy or spread reports calculated to discourage the defenders shall also be dealt with as traitors and punished with death or penal servitude for life.
and requires all able bodied Spaniards to enrol A third proclamation declares martial law themselves for military service.
the Volunteers and to the inhabitants of Manila. There are other proclamations addressed to
28th April.
THE AMERICAN SQUADRON LEAVES MIRS BAY.
INSURRECTIONARY CHIEF ACCOMPANIES.
The American squadron left Mirs Bay for Manila at about two o'clock on Wednesday after- noon, 27th April, it being accompanied by Mr. Williams, United States Consul recently stationed at Manila, and the Insurgent Chief Alijandrini. The former is on board the Baltimore. The latter, who is on board the Zafiro, goes to take charge of the insurgent forces in Luzon, under strict orders from the Commander to see that no barbarous or inhuman war is made. Consul-General Wildman, whose guest Consul Williams was during his short stay in Hongkong, accompanied his brother Consul and the insurgent chief to the fleet, and cabin, when the plan of action was decidde took part in a consultation in the Admiral's
upon, Mr. Williams having brought with him different maps.
The primary object of the squadron is to capture the Spanish fleet wher- ever it is found, it being really more important Manila should be secured, so that American trad- that the fleet should be captured than that ing vessels may be safe. On reaching Manila within 38 minutes of his arrival, and as it is not Commodore Dewey will demand the capitulation likely that his demand will be complied with the bombardment of the place can hardly be avoided.
The Spanish ships are leaving Manila with passengers and treasure.
Consul General Wildman returned to Hong. kong about six o'clock on the evening of 27th April.
PRESIDENT MCKINLEY'S PROCLAMATION.
Mr. Rounsvelle Wildman, United States yesterday President McKinley's proclamation. › Consul-General at Hongkong, received by wire
It reads as follows:-
April 25, 1898, it is declared that war has Whereas by an Act of Congress approved existed since the 21st day of April, A.D., 1898, of America and the Kingdom of Spain, and including said day, between the United States whereas it being desirable that such war should be conducted upon principles in harmony with the present views of nations and sanctioned by their recent practice it has already been an- will be not to resort to privateering, but to nounced that the policy of this Government adhere to the rules of the declaration of Paris.
of the United States of America, by virtue of Therefore I, William McKinley, President