The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-04-21

much as It would amount to a refusal of
the demands of the United States.
In such case the President would proceed
Immediately 10 use the naval and military
forces of the United States to execute the
will of Congress-
How this will done, what sters shall
first be taken, whether Havana shall be
blockaded, or whether an attempt shall be
made to make a speedy campaign by hurl-
ing large force of troops 10 Havana un-
der cover of bombardment by fleet are
all matters of mere speculation.
The experts of the army and navy have
laid their plans with the greatest detail
for the future, but they do not hesitate to
say that any attempt TO make these pub
lie in advance to the manifest. advantage
of Spain would be actual treason.
An outline of the policy to be followed by
this government In the treatment of neu-
trails and the matter of privateering is con-
tanned in the following statement:
''In the event of hostilities between the
United States and Spain it will be the pol
icy of this government not to resort to pri-
watering. The government will adhere to
the following rules
First, neutral flag covers enemies goods
with the exception of contraband of war.
Second, neutral goods not contraband
of war are not liable to contiscation under
enemy's flag.
Third, blockades in order TO be binding
| must be effective"
| This doctrine is undoubtedly laid down to
meet the various inquiries received by the
| diplomatic representatives of the United
States from foreign governments as to the
attitude assumed by the United States. 1t
| is substantially in line with the rules prac-
ticed in the recent Chinese-Japanese war.
| and places the United States in a most adj
| vSnced position so far as the protection of
individual property and neutral goods at
sea is concerned. BY it Spanish goods are
made free from seizure on the seas in the
| bottoms of neutral power
| This decision on the part of our govern
ment will doubtless be welcomed in Eu-
rope
Word came to the navy department to-
| day that the Spanish cruisers Pelayo, Viz
caya and OQuendo are all at present at
| Cape de We're islands in company with the
| torpedo boat fiotilla. 1t is realized thar
| this constitutes a most formidable naval
| force in the opinion of experts equal to
our crack Flying Squadron now lying in
Hampton Roads.
The department is a good deal disturbed
about the torpedo boat Somers, now lying
at Falmouth, England, and is casting
| about for means to bring her to the Uni
/
| cess.
| No purchases of ships were made during
the day, but the offerings continue in un-
diminished numbers.
Nearly all of the time of Secretary Alger
Gen. Miles and Adit Gen. Corbin to-day
was consumed in the consideration of the
| best means of securing volunteers needed
for the army, but this complicated ques-
| tion has not yet been settled.
An order, sent to the Twenty-fifth In
fantry at Chickamauga, to proceed to Mo
bile early in the day, was cancelled latel
on.
Capt Duvall, the artillery expert ana
special aide to Secretary Alger, who has
been making an investigation of the South.
ern sea coast defenses. returned to Wash
ington to-day, and reported the results OF
his trip to Adjt Gen. Corbin For pruden-
tial reasons the result cannot be made
| public.