The evening herald. [volume] (Shenandoah, Pa.) 1891-1966, 1898-04-22
REFUSED TO RECEIVE IT,
And a Clash Of Arms May Occur al
Any Moment,
BLOCKADE OF HAVANA ORDERED,

Captain SIMPSONS North Atlantic
squadron WIN Prevent the Entrance
or Exit of Spaniards - Meantime
the Form idabIe spanish Naval Force
Has sailed From Cape de Verde
Islands, Presumably For spanish
waters-Saval OniciaIs Not Worried
Over the Threatened Spanish Bonn
bardment.
Washington, April 22.-War between
the United States and Spain is a fact,
though not yet officially declared so
by congress. The stirring events of
Wednesday We're succeeded yesterday
with rapidity by others of equal i'm
portance, eliminating in the afternoon
In orders for the departure of the North
Atlantic squadron for Havana This
practically is an act of war, so that
the war between this country and
Spain may fairly be said to date from
April 21, 1895
Two minutes after the opening of the
state department yesterday morning
came word from Minister Woodford
anticipated and prevented his inten-
ton to present the presidents ultima
tum, he had asked for his passports.
The administration issued statement
that it regarded the action of the Span
ish government as rendering unneces-
sary further diplomatic action on the
part of the United States, and further
stating that it regarded the course
IzrG In nj
that country the responsibility for the
breach of friendly relations.
Mr.. Woodford's telegram resulted in
the calling of a special cabinet meeting
to arrange and outline a plan of cam
pagn or rather to determine how to
begin the execution of the plan of
campaign already prepared by the
strategic boards of the army and navy
departments. The immediate result
was the order for the North Atlantic
squadron to begin the blockade of Ha-
vana. How much further than this the
cabinet progressed in it's deliberations
it is not possible to say, for the OBJ
vious reason that the time has now
come where the interests of the gov
ernment require that the movements
of ships and troops should be guarded
with the greatest care from undue
publication, in order to prevent the
enemy from taking advantage of the
information.
Captain SampSon'S Formidable Fleet.
The North Atlantic squadron, under
Captain Simpsons command, makes .
splendid array of fine vessels, compris-
ing battleships such as the Iowa anC
Indiana, monitors like the Puritan
M,
ers like the New York, flagship, pro-
tected cruisers such as the Cincinnati
Marblehead and Montgomery; gun
boats like the Vicksburg, Wilmington
and Annapolis; regular torpedo boats
as the Ericsson, Cushing, Winslow and
the like, and not to speak of the large
number of fast yachts and other yes
sells that have been added to the fleet
by purchase. This force is quite com
petent to blockade all the ports OF
Cuba, or at least all Of the ports con-
Meeting by rail with Havana, and Sc
likely to be used to supply that place
in the event of siege, with food and
munitions OF war. This statement is
to be taken with the understanding
that it does not contemplate the coming
to Cuban waters of the Spanish fleet
In such case, however, the probable
policy would be to abandon the block
ade and endeavor to force the Spanist
fleet to battle.
Minister Woodfords action during
the day, as reported to the state de
partment in a large telegram, indi-
Gated that he was following a carefully
prepared program. A signifcan
feature of his message was the state
ment that the Spanish government
notified him that it regarded its with
drawal of Minister Polo as terminating
diplomatic relations, showing that II
was not disposed to accept the eX-
pressed intention of our government tC
continue Mr. Woodford as .. medium