The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1898-04-23

down there from the Klondike with their
horde of gold
While the plan is regarded as chimeri-
cal, 1t has been decided upon. Requests
from English adventures for letters of
marque have been considered by a Span
ish naval commander now in London.
The British government, however, has
warned the naval commission against
committing any breach of neutrality laws.
For this reason applicants were direct
ed 10 address themselves direct to Mad
rid.
Ambassador Hay Will probably complain
| 10 the British government against Span
ish officials who are enlsting men here
| secretly, of which proceedings ne had
/ been informed. Col Hay has received
multitude of applications for enlistment
in the American Army, but through the
newspapers he has informed applicants
that volunteers cannot be enrolled on
this side of the Atlantic, because of the
British foreign enlistment act.
Some explanation is necessary for Mr..
Arthur Balfour's statement in the House
of Commons this evening that the
/ Spanish government had not yet replied
TO the request of the British government
TO know SPANS attitude toward the dec
laration of Paris.
But there exists the best authority for
saying that Spain sent a reply SO evasiye
in character as to be virtually no reply at
all. The British charge daffares at
Madrid has been instructed to present
further note on the subject. couched in
urgent terms, asking for a declaration of
SPANS intentions.
1t is said if the reply is unsatisfactory
England will retort by shutting her ports
for coal to both belligerents. The threat
of such course is the only influence Eng
land can exert now on Madrid. where her
attitude is so bitterly resented as to lead
to a demand through the Spanish press
that all English as well as American cor
respondents be conducted to the Spanish
frontier.
Spain's answer is expected next Mon
day, but unless there is a change in the
temper of the Spanish cabinet it is fully
believed that the answer, despite the
probable consequences, will be unfavora
BILE.
All ships carrying naval stores have
been ordered by the British admiralty to
provide themselves with certificates show
ing that the stores belong TO the British
government. This is done TO prevent
them being confscated.
Berlin, April 23.-ln official circles In
Germany the belief is gaining ground that
Spain will not give up her original plan
of privateering. Government officials
and the Admiralty are considering the
advisability of sending a warship 10 West
Indian waters to guard German inter-
ests.
Foolish attempts are being made by
newspapers actively hostile to America
to point out the alleged danger threaten
ing the United States from the attitude
of the Latin-American republics. Ac-
cording to Bismarck's chief organ. IN
Berlin. it wou,N appear that Mexico and
the South and Central American States
are getting ready to fly al the throat of
America.
Efforts are also being made by these |
papers 10 prove that the Spanish sea |
forces are equal to those of the United |
States, adding that surprises are III store |
for the American Navy.
The Cabinet yesterday decided that this |
Government should not avail itself of the |
services of privateers unless Spain in
sists upon so doing, and that then in |
America will do the same.
Immediately after the Cabinet meeting
a note to all the powers was prepared
and signed by Secretary Sherman, in /
which the conclusions reached by the |
Cabinet were announced.
The note informed all nations that
America does not approve of the use of
privateers, and that they will not be
employed during the war unless Spain
makes such action necessary.
1t is fully realized that the Constitu-
ton has conferred upon Congress the
right to issue the letters of marque and
reprisal under which the privateers must
operate, but the reasons for abstaining
from privateering are so prudent, in the
opinion of the Administration, that ii is
not doubted Congress will refrain.
The American Navy may be relied up
on to protect American commerce from
attack by the Spanish Navy, operating !
a long distance from their base: but II
would be a herculean task to protect 1900
miles of coast line against the forays of
the privateers who might swarm under
the Spanish flag.
No secret is made of the conviction
that Spain will, either willingly or by
follow our course in refrain
ing from privateering. In fact, it is
gathered that when this decision was ar
rived at by our Government, as a result
If personal inquiries from the British en-
oassy, 1t was reached upon the under
standing that England alone stood ready
% see to it that Spain does not authorize
DECORATE, AMERICANS DRAPE