Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1898-04-28


washington, April 23.-War between
the United States and Spain is fact
though not yet officially declared so
by congress.
The stirring events of Tuesday were
succeeded yesterday with rapidity by
others Of equal Importance culminat-
ing in the afternoon in orders for the
departure of the North Atlantic squad
ron 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 81, 1898. Two
minutes after the opening of the state
department yesterday morning came
word from Minister Woodford that
the Spanish government, having antici-
pated and prevented his intention to
present the presidents ultimatum, he
had asked for his passports. The ad-
ministration, in q public statement, an
nounced that it regarded the action of
the Spanish government as rendering
unnecessary further diplomatic action
on the part Of the United States, and
farther stated that it regarded the
course adopted by Spain as one plac-
ing upon that country the response
bility for the breech Of friendly rela-
tons. Mr.. Woodford's telegram re-
suited in the calling Of special cabi-
net meeting to arrange an outline OF
plan of campaign, or rather to de-
termine how to begin the execution of
the plan of campaign already prepared
by the strategic boards of the army
and navy departments. The immedi-
ate result was the order for the North
Atlantic squadron to
Begin the Blockade
Of Havana. How much further than
this the cabinet progressed in its delib-
erations it is not possible to say for
the obvious reason that the time has
now come when the interests of the
government require that the move
ments of ships and troops should be
guarded with the greatest care from
undue publicity in order to prevent
the enemy from taking advantage OF
information.
The North Atlantic squadron, under
splendid array Of fine vessels, comprls-
Indiana, monitors like the Puritan,
ship New York, protected cruisers
and Montgomery, gunboats like the
Vicksburg, Wilmington and Annapolis,
regular torpedo boats as the Ericsson,
Gushing, Winslow and the like, and
not to speak of the large number of
fast yachts and other vessels that have
been added to the feet by purchase.
sc Sc IN -
ade all the ports in Cuba, or at least all
the ports connecting by rail with Ha-
vana and SO likely to be used to sup
ply that place in the event of seige
with food and munitions of war. This
statement is to be taken with the I'M
Outstanding that it does pot contem-
plate the coming to Cuban waters Of
the Spanish fleet. In such case, how
ever, the probable policy would be to
abandon the blockade and endeavor to
force the Spanish fleet to battle.
Minister Woodford's Action
during the day, as reported to the
state department in a late telegram,
indicated that he was following a
carefully prepared programme. A sig
nificant feature Of his message was the
statement that the Spanish govern
ment notified him that it regarded it's
withdrawal of Minister Polo as ter
minating diplomatic negotiations,
showing that it was not disposed to &C.
cept the expressed intention of our
government to continue Mr.. Woodford
as a medium Of communication until
Saturday noon. Mr.. Woodford also
announced that he had instructed Con-
sui General Bowen at Barcelona to
cause all the American consuls in
Spain to Immediately withdraw from
the country. He further stated that
he had Informed the Spanish govern
ment, after asking for his passports,
that he had placed the American lega-
ton in Madrid and American interests
in Spain generally. in the hands Of the
British embassy. The ambassador Rt.
Hon. Sir H. Fry Drummond Wolff, is
not at present in Madrid, SO American
interests will be confded to the Brit
ish charge, Sir George &. +. Bonham,
Bart. To all intents and purposes this
relieves the state department from
further negotiations as to Cuba, save
those relating to privateering, neutral
ity observances and the like 1t was
found necessary to frame
Notice to the Powers
of the intention of our government
to establish blockade of Havana, a
notification required by international
law.
The navy department, aside from
giving the orders to the squadron, con-
tinued the work Of adding to the navy,
and purchased another ship at Norfolk
as an auxiliary craft, and some small
yachts. The news Of the actual be-
ginning of war was received with
gravity at the department, and there
were many speculations as to the des-
tination Of the Spanish squadron. One
suggestion was that 1t is heading to
cut off the fine battleship Oregon, now
on its way from the Pacific coast to
join Capt. SIMPSONS command. There
is also some fear that the Oregon may
be taken at an unfair advantage with