Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-04-21

by this time Is brief and concise. 1t simply
demands that Spain withdraw from Cuba
her naval and military forces. The Fresi-
dent, in a firm, but polite way, requests
that a reply to this demand be made by
Saturday. These two words are used in
the ultimatum
President Mckinley thought 1t woul1 be
splitting hairs and holding & time watch
10 set any hour for an answer from Spain.
That is why he decided on the phrase by
Saturday" Even If there is no answer by
Saturday at noon the President may hot
a. once carry into effect the ultima turn.
But if there is no answer by Saturday
Afternoon the resolution will be put into
effect.
The President distinctly states in the ul-
timatu,n that unless Spain gives notice that
she will evacuate the island he will proce ed
to pat into effect the instructions OF Con-
SreSS.
WOodford Not Yet Recalled.
Cabinet officials think that Gen. Wood
ford will remain on duty in Madrid until an
answer is received from Sagasta. If the
answer refuses to comply with ths demands
of the United States Gen. Woodford will at
once ask for his passports. Should his posi-
ticn become unterat!e between now and
possibility that Gen. Wcodford will leave
Madrid tonight after he delivers the ulti-
matum to SdSdsta. He may have his pass
ports handed him. The answer of Spain
under these circumstances, could be sent
direct to this country through the rep
res-.tative of any European power selected
by Spain.
Thc Presidents Program.
definitely known. lie Will patiently await
the answer Of Spain bet,r making 4 move
cf s..y sort. II Spain makes no answer by
Saturday orders WI: be issued for the navy
TO Liuck&de the ports of Cuba. Havana
VIII. Of cCd!sc. lie the leading port TO be
bloci.aded. II can he positively stated that
the present pans do not contemplate
bombarGnient of Havana and other Cuban
ports, as the first step. The blockade will
he first put into effect. If the naval and
military forces cf Spain attack the block
ad.ng squadron, of course the attack Will
be repalied and Il bUnlhardment CT Havana
and ether cities will follow. The intention
at present, however. is that the blochading
force shall not fire shot for some time.
While the blockade is in force the army of
the United States will be hurried forward
to Key West, ready to land in Cuba. SO
soon as this army is ready for work and
transports have been provided lombard
ment and capture will follow unless fighting
has been forced by that time upon the
navy.
Several Ports to BE Invested.
1t is known that more than one port of
Cuba will be invested by the navy. People
of Havana and probably Matanzas will
v axe up Sunday morning to look far out to
sea and find the fighting ships of the Unit
ed States on guard. Not a commercial or
other vessel will be allowed to leave or en-
ter these ports, and unless the Spaniards
fight they must starve. No help can reach
them except from Spains warshps. which
will be met and fought. If these warships
can defeat those of this country, then relief
can lie given the beleaguered cities.
SpaIn's Expected Reply.
I: is calculated at the White House that
Sagasta was handed the ultimatum of
President Mckinley about 1:3O pm, Span
ISL time. That would have been 80 O'Clock
Washington time The Spanish ministry
will have tomorrow and Friday to consider
their course When it is 6 o'clock Satur
day morning here it will be noon Saturday
in Madrid. President Mckinley ought to
know the answer of Spain by the tine he
arises Saturday morning. Either an insult
ing and defiant answer or silence is ex-
pected.
The President decided that he would not
make the text of the uitimatum public un-
til tomorrow by which time it will be fully
known in Madrid.
The exact wording of the ultimatum was
fully agreed upon by the President and
Judge Day last night. The President in
structed Judge Day to bring the revised
copy of the order to the White House this
morning. This was done shortly after 10
clock. The only persons then with the
President were Secretaries Bliss and VIII
son. Attorney General Griggs and Judge
Day.
Signing of the UItimatum.
Later Secretary A!gor made his appear
ance, and when the resolution of Congress
was signed at IL % those present Were the
officials mentioned, Senator Elkins, Rep
resentative Cannon and Charles Emory
Smith, editor of the Philadelphia Press
The pen used IN signing the resolution was
handed at once to Secretary Alser, who
had asked for it. There had been fifty
other requests for this pen. but Gen. Alger
had made the hrSt appiloatlon.
Senator Elkins and Representative Can
non were accidental witnesses to the Pres
ident's act of signing the resolution. All
senators and representatives had
been calling and departing. Messrs. Elkins
and Cannon got in a few minutes before
the President attached his signature.
The congressman who called during the
morning were Messrs. Gear, Lodge, Gray,
Kyle, Frye, Platt OF Connecticut Grosve-
nor, Adams and Cannon.
Cuban Republic and Recognition.
1t was learned this morning from an ad-
ministration source just why the President
was desirous of avoiding express recogni-
ton of the Cuban republic. Aside from the
reasons that have been set forth in the de-
bates in Congress, mostly based on consti-
tutioaal questions, there were two very i'm
portant practical considerations that affect
ed the Presidents mind. The first was a
purely military consideration. He was
satisfied that the United States army and
naval forces would operate, in the event of
the recognition Of the Cuban republic, at a
great disadvantage. Instead of moving I'M
der a free rein, the military forces would
H. oIli fraa xx,if, tha off, o;,I-