light batteries of
artillery were concentrated at Tampa and Port Tampa. General Shafter
assumed command on this date.

The _Newport_ captured the Spanish schooner _Pace_.

By cablegram from London, under date of May 2d, news regarding the
condition of affairs in Madrid was received. The Spanish public was
greatly excited by information from the Philippines, and the authorities
found it necessary to proclaim martial law, the document being couched in
warlike language beginning:

"_Whereas_, as Spain finds herself at war with the United States, the
power of civil authorities in Spain is suspended.

"_Whereas_, it is necessary to prevent an impairment of the patriotic
efforts which are being made by the nation with manly energy and veritable
enthusiasm;

"_Article 1._ A state of siege in Madrid is hereby proclaimed.

"_Article 2._ As a consequence of article one, all offences against public
order, those of the press included, will be tried by the military
tribunals.

"_Article 3._ In article two are included offences committed by those who,
without special authorisation, shall publish news relative to any
operations of war whatsoever."

Then follow the articles which prohibit meetings and public
demonstrations.

Commenting upon the defeat, the _El Nacional_, of Madrid, published the
following article:

"Yesterday, when the first intelligence arrived, nothing better occurred
to Admiral Bermejo (Minister of Marine) than to send to all newspapers
comparative statistics of the contending squadrons. By this comparison he
sought to direct public attention to the immense superiority over a
squadron of wooden vessels dried up by the heat in those latitudes.

"But in this document Spain can see nothing kind. Spain undoubtedly sees
therein the heroism of our marines; but she sees also and above all the
nefarious crime of the government.

"It is unfair to blame the enemy for possessing forces superior to ours;
but what is worthy of being blamed with all possible vehemence is this
infamous government, which allowed our inferiority without neutralising it
by means of preparations. This is the truth. Our sailors have been basely
delivered over to the grape-shot of the Yankees, a fate nobler and more
worthy of respect than those baneful ministers, who brought about the
first victory and its victims."

_El Heraldo de Madrid_ said: "It was no caprice of the fortunes of war.
From the very first cannon-shot our fragile ship