The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1898-04-20

NORTH ATLANTIC SQUADRON
WILL MAKE IT'S APPEARANCE
OFF HAvANAt.As "A BEGINNING,
CAN NOT YET BE PREDICTED.
Not an Easy War. 4 .t y, y 4 4.
In this connection. 1t may be stated
that the army and navy experts are be-
ginning to take q less hopeful view OF
an easy and quick campaign than thes.
entertained a short time ago. Months
are now mentioned instead OF weeks as
the probable length OF hostlllties, and
one eminent otilcer.who had experience
IN; the late war, processes n belief that
unless outside pressure is brought to
bear war may easily drag along for u
year, under the existing conditions.
Apparently, the powers have aban-
doned open Efforts In Washington to In.
f1uence the course OF our government.
Matters were quiet at all the legations
To-day. and no instructions were re-
ceived by any OF the ambassadors or
ministers In the line OF mediation.
Substance of Uitimatum.
The Iultimatum," said one member of
the cabinet, after the meeting to- day,
mas been agreed upon In substance, but
has not yet been formally drawn up. Its
preparation has been entrusted to As
sistant Secretary Day, OF the state de-
partment. It will be sent tomorrow
and will reach Madrid in the evening,
the difference in time between this coun-
Try and Spain being about six hours. I
ehlnR you are safe In saying that Spain
VIII be given forty-eight hours, that Is
until Friday evening to submit her re-
ply. Is 4. ::
I'm ACCORDANCE WITH THE
,THRMS OF THE RESOLUTION THE
'PRES1DENTRW WILL DEMAND THAT
SPAIN SHALL EVACUATE THE IS
LAND DEMAND FOR THIS WILL
( BE FLATFoOTED AND ABSOLUTE
ANDNOTENTATIV OR HALF WAY
REPLYWILLS SATISFY THE PRESI-
DENT. Nor will any compromise that
contemplates the withdrawal OF Spains
troops from the island, the subsequent
re-establishment OF Spanish control or
the raising OF the Spanish flag over the
country be accepted by the administra- :
tion. Possibly it may be that a sugges-'
tion that the matter has been referred
to The cortes which meets Tomorrow for
Its consideration may be Instrumental
In postponins for a brief time the put
ting into effect OF the congressional res5-
luton, but the President Is disposed not
to brook any further delay. II Is only
fair that in a great crisis like this .rea-
sonable time shall be given"
To Biocka,ie. Cuba.
III Spain refuses to evacuate Cuba
prompt measures will be adopted to put
Into force the congressional. resolution.
A blockade OF Cuba will. so far as at
present understood, be begun at once.
There are an adequate number OF war
vessels In the vicinity to make this ef-
fectivc. I think such supplies as the
Spaniards now control will not last
them more than month. Then steps
taken with q view to Increasing the
equipment of Gomez's soldiers and fur
nlshing them with sufficient hard tack
for food will enable him to harrass tho
Spaniards from the rear, which will ma
terially assist in bringing them to terms.
My own individual idea Is that It will
probably take two months to bring
about the results which will compel the
Spaniards to evacuate and enable tho
Island to be occupied by the United
States without, molestation.
No, the United States government
VIII not Issue any letters OF marque and
reprlsal nor countenance privateering.
but II the Spanish government chooses
to enter upon this line Of warfare she
will have to deal with the nations OF
Europe, with whose commerce she seeks
to Interfere sif - =, - !. =