Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 19, Number 65, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 22 April 1898 — AS EVENTFUL DAY. [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

AS EVENTFUL DAY.

History Rapidly Made at the National Capitol. EVENTS CROWD UPON EACH OTHER. Cuban Resolution* Become * law— Ultimatum Sent to Spain—Spanish > SUnt*t,er Procure* Panport, and teaves Washington. Washington, April 21. —Wednesday was a day of events in the history of the Cuban question. The signature by the president of the joint resolution requiring intervention in Cuba) the notification of that action to the Spanish minister here; his demand for passports; the department’s prompt reply to that the departure of the Spanish minister, and the transmission of our ultimatum that Spain must evacuate Cuba and must make answer by Saturday, through Minister Woodford, followed in rapid succession. The next step is Spain’s answer, if she is to make any, and the movement of the United States army and navy on Cuba. Early in the morning the execution of the programme began with a conference between Assistant Secretary Day, ex-Secretary Foster and Second Assistant Secretary Adee, in which the wishes of the president and cabinet as to the ultimatum were reduced to diplomatic form. The other events subdeeded each other with rapidity. Ultimatum Not Made Public. At first there was some expectation at the state department that a response from Minlsted Woodford might be expected Wednesday. Late* on, however, if ter Judge Day had calculated the length of time that would be consulted

in the cabling or tKC uitimatutn to Minister Woodford, its translation into icipher and retranslation, he became convinced that it would be practically impossible, owing to the difference in time between Washington and Madrid, to receive any response Wednesday. Therefore, the following statement was posted at the department: “The text Of the ultimatum to Spain will be given Out by Mr. Porter, secretary to the president, at the white house some time Thursday, probably.” Spain’s Turn to Move. The next move must now be made by Spain, according to the department officials. If the Spanish government fakes a view, as might possibly be concluded from the action of its minister here, that in language and terms the congressional resolution is Insulting, it paay promptly hand Mr. Woodford his passports upon receipt of this communication, and thus bring the negotiations to the crisis and cause a breach of diptomatic relations within the next 24 tours. If, on the other hand, it should heglect to return a satisfactory answer before Saturday noon, that line of policy will be quite as effective as a positive act, inasmuch as it would amount to refusal of the demands of the United States. War Would Begin. In such case the president would proceed immediately to use the naval and military forces of the United States to execute the will of congress. How this will be done, what steps shall first be taken, whether Havana shall be blockaded or whether an attempt shall be made to make a speedy campaign by burling a large force of troops into Havana under cover of a bombardment of a fleet are all matters of mere speculation. The experts of the army and navy have laid their plans with the greatest detail for the future, but they do not hesitate to say that any attempt to make these public in advance, to the tnanifest advantage of Spain, would be actual treason. . No Privateering. An outline of the policy to be followed by thia government in the treatment of beutrals and the matter of privateerng is contained in the following statenent: In the event of hostilities beWeen the United States and Spain it rill be the policy of this government not to resort to privateering. The government will adhere to the following fhles. First, neutral flag covers enemies* goods, with the exception of contraband of war; second, neutral goods not contraband of war are not liable to confiscation under enemies* flag; third, blockades in order to be binding must be effective. This doctrine is undoubtedly laid down to meet the various inquiries received by the diplomatic representatives of the United States from foreign government* as to the at-

titude aasfi&ied by the United States. It is substantially in line with the rules practiced in the recent Chinese-Jap-anese war, and places the United States in a most advanced position, so far as the protection of individual property and neutral goods at sea is concerned. By it Spanish goods are made free from seizure on the seas in the bottoms of a neutral power. This decision on the part of our government will doubtless be welcomed in Europe. The Spanish Naval Fleet. Word came to the navy department that the Spanish cruisers Pelayo, Vizcaya and Oquendo are all at present at Cape de Verde islands in company with the torpedo boat flotilla. It is realized that this constitutes a moat formidable naval force, in the opinion of naval experts equal to our crack flying squadron, now lying in Hampton Roads. The department is a good deal disturbed about the torpedo boat Somers, now lying at Falmouth, Eng., and is casting about for means to bring her to the United States with safety, so far without success. No purchases of ships were made during the day, but the offerings continue in undiminished numbers. The War Spirit. The military enthusiasm has spread to the capital, usually so undemonstrative, and the city is brilliant with the stars and stripes. Along F street and other thoroughfares nearly every building flies the flag and some of the larger Business nouses taxe on tne appearance of an inauguration day. Several of them are literally covered with red, white and blue bunting. In the residential portions of the city many private houses have raised the colors, and the city generally has a holiday aspect. Passengers arriving from a distance report that the enthusiasm was general in the country. Nearly every railway station was decorated, particularly along the routes of the troops now in motion. At exer.v hamlet and village the flag was

in evidence, and cheering crowds everywhere greeted the military trains. Di*po«iton of the Volunteer*. The topic of absorbing interest in military circles was the expected decision of the president and Secretary Alger upon the question of how to place the volunteer forces at the service of the government. No less than three consultations were held at the white house on this subject, but it was finally announced that It would not be possible to issue the expected call for volunteers Wednesday. The district militia forces have been offered to the government by Gen. Harries, and there is some expectation that those will be the first of the militia forces to be drawn into the government service.

SPAIN’S MEN-OF-WAR AVAILABLE FOR USE IN AMERICAN WATERS.