Rensselaer Democrat, Volume 1, Number 2, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 22 April 1898 — War is at Hand! [ARTICLE]

War is at Hand!

Tin Rtsthrliofts an Signed' Army and Navy Ready for Quirk Work when they are ordered to Strike in Cuba’s Behalf. TR(X)PS RUSHED SOUTH. | . "•' :• ■ •• J ■ | General Miles Will take Command in Person of all the Operations of the Military Arm of the Service, Washington, D. C., April 20. There has not been such a day in l Washington since 1861. Yet a stranger who dropped down without knowing the situation and the intent ions of the government would not have noticed any difference in the appearance of the city or the public buildings. The only place where there was anything more than the usual activity was at the navy department. There everybody is working long hours, and the additional clerks required by the press of business have filled the offices to overflowing At the white house there were a good many tourists, and a number of congressmen called during the day. By a curious coincidence Mr. Elkins, who has beenone of the most conservative, and Mr. Cannon, who has been one of the most radical senators on the Cuban question, happened to meet in the president’s office at 11:22 o’clock, when the latter signed his name to the official parchment copy of the Cuban resolutions. Almost i mmediatel.Yiaiterward —, ’6tfe might say copy of the resolutions was sent by Edwnrd Savoy, the colored messenger at Judge Day’s office, to Senor Polo at the Spanish legation, who receipted for the document informally upon the envelope, which Savoy retained as a precious memento. Senor Polo was awaiting the message in company with Mr. Cnmbon,the French ambassador; Mr. Hengelmueller, the Austrian minister, who have been his nearest friends. His passports were sent from the state department about 4 o’clock. It is evident that the Spanish minister does not expect a long war. for he has necided not to return to Spain, but has engaged rooms at Suspension Bridge, where he can observe everything that is going on this country without being in our territory or jurisdiction. The secretaries and some other members of the staff will also go to Suspension Bridge and afterward to Toronto.

The ultimatum was given to the telegraph operator about 11:30 a. m. which would be about 4:30 p. m. Madrid time, and the president hopes that Gen. Woodford will be able to deliver it this evening. As soon as he acknowledges the receipt the documents will be given to the press. It is understood that no formal note is addressed to the Spanish government. Gen. Woodford was simply instructed to hand to the minister of foreign relations a copy of the resolutions passed by congress and to say that he is instructed to express '’President McKinley’s confidence that the demands therein contained will be complied with by Saturday noon next, in order that the latter may be relieved of the necessity of carrying out the direction® con-

tained the third section of the. resolutions. A proclamation by the president calling out the state militia is all prepared and ready for his signature, but he does not wish to issue it until congress passes the bill now pending for the reorganization of the militia. He sent several messages to Representative Hull today urging immedinie action on that measure. At the quartermaster’s department to-day bids were opened from steamship companies for carrying troops to Cuba, which looks like business.