Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1898-04-28
SUMMARY OF EVENTS
The Powers Prepared to Assume
an Attitude Of Strict Neutrality
PROCLAMATION on PRIZE sIllURES
ne chssgss N the stass Dspestasas-
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Army-CapA Nshsa OsAsss1
- Report fss Dusy.

In Washington ere rapidly settling
down 70 those OF actual war. Notices
came 10 the state department from the
four quarters Of the globe yesterday
showing that the nations a. . rule ere
prepared 10 assume On attitude Of
strict neutrality ~ between the United
States and Spain in the present strug.
gle. Great Britain has always taken
an advanced stand in the principles Of
neutrality, so that It was with great
interest that the news was received
here Of the neutrality proclamation
issued In London. On the whole the
officials are disposed 10 take the view
that the strict adherence by Great
Britain 10 these rules will bs rather
more advantageous TO the United
States than to Spain, particularly u
We now are operating in the naval sense
close 10 our own base Of supplies and
10 ell probability will cut Spain of
from the two bases that she now has
IN the neighborhood Of Cuba.
The president issued proclamation
during the day laying down rulss ~
70 the seizure Of prizes and tho result
II is believed will be the release OF
some Of the ships slrsady captured,
though II will be for the prize court
TO determine In each case whether the
conditions under which the ships we're
captured are such as 10 warrant re-
lease. The impression prevails that
the Buena Ventura the first on
the list OF prizes, will be de-
clared no prize The case Of the
Panama whose seizure was re-
ported yesterday, Ia more complicated,
owing to the fact that while otherwise
exempt, the ship was reported to have
contained supplies for the Spanish
army In Cuba, which are now contra
band. However. 1t may be said that,
while the settlement OF these ques-
tions will be left to the courts the ad-
ministration believes the greatest lib.
erality should be shown In the appli-
cation Of the laws where q vessel Is
not contraband or attempting 10 run
the blockade.
Secretary Sherman retired finally
yesterday from the position Of score.
tary Of state and his successor was
confirmed In the person OF Judge Day.
John Bassett Moore undoubtedly will
be confirmed to-day in Judge Days
place. 49,
The army reorganization bill be-
came law during the day, and the
war department officials have begun
to devise the best means Of carrying
out the purposes OF the act, which will
result In an increase Of the regular
army to more than $4,000 men. In the
war department preparations went on
with ceaseless energy for the organ.
ization Of the volunteer army. All Of
the officers we're detailed who are to
be sent TO the various states and terri
tories to muster the guardsmen into
the service Of the United States.
The greatest anxiety was shown at
the navy department for news from
the blockading squadron. Notwith-
standing the frequent reports that
come from two unofficial sources Of en-
gagements between the feet and the
shore batteries, no word Of eonfrma-
ton came officially. The three prizes
yesterday to have been seized
by the fleet we're not referred to In the
official dispatches, but the press re.
ports Of the seizures were received
with the greatest satisfaction by the
officers Of the department, who in some
cases did not hesitate to declare their
envy Of their more fortunate brother
officers with the feet.
Among the orders issued yesterday
was one directing Capt, A. P. Mahan,
the author and world-renowned au-
thority on naval tactics, to report for
duty at the navy department. Capt
Mahan Is retired officer, and he will
be assigned TO a position on the
board. Probably he will re-
place Adm. Walker, for whom the
president and Secretary Long cherish
the highest regard on account OF his
professional ability, and who is to be
assigned to duty of the highest impor.
lance in the immediate future.