Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-04-25
WAR OFFICIALLY.
Continued from First Page.)

II
myself of this opportunity to repeat to YOU
the assurances of my highest consideration.
JOHN SHERMAN.
Secretary Sherman inclosed with this a
copy of The joint resolution passed, and
also of the ultmatum. diploma tically re
f-rred to As the Geographic instruction to
the United States minister to Spain.
An extra meeting of the cabinet was
called by President VI kiney this morning.
beginning at 10 O'Clock.
y number of extremely important mat
tors We're discussed, and the session lasted
for an hour and half.
The me sting was called principally for
the purpose of going over the message
hicn was sent to Congress at noon. rec
ommending that war between the United
States AMI Spain be declared. The cabinet
not long in agreeing with the Presi-
dent that a declaration by Congress should
be mace.
At the regular cabinet meeting Friday
last it was agr-ed that this declaration
would not he necessary. but State Depart
m Mt officials later hogan to give the CUES
ton consideration. and decided that the po-
sition of the government would be greatly
improved by such a declaration. Judge Day
was of this opinion.
The President and cabinet talked about
the status OF affairs i'll and around Key
West and Havana. II is said that no
change in the present program was agreed
upon. No new orders to Capt. Sanps n
were decided upon and everything viii so
on for the present as begun last week.
The pacific blockade of Havana will con-
tinuc unless changed by unexpected cven's
until the President concludes that every
thing is in readiness for an aggressive
movement by land and sea. There has
teen no change of the smallest kind in
this program since first agreed upon by
the President and Secretary Long.
Spanish SHIPS in Our Ports.
The cabinet talked over the matter of
giving time To Spanish merchant ships to
leave Am arican ports. 1t was given out
that the State Department would prepare
an announcement on this subject. and tina.
the time allowed would probably be fifteen
days.
Secretary Sherman left the cabinet meet
irE next to the last man. He remained be-
hind to have few words with the Pres
dCnt.
IT vas stated today that a declaration
Of war by Congress vas necessary for
numerous reasons. One was that without
such a declaration the bill increasing the
regular army would not become operative.
That bill provided fer an Increase of the
army when Congress declared war.
\ WAR Room at the White House.
A ''wcr room has been established at the
White House. 1t is the private Office of
Secretary Porter and adjoins the Prcsi-
dents room. Eight or ten sets of telegraph
il struments have been put in the room
and the walls filed with war maps
of Cuba the West Indies and every point
of the globe which may have IL part to
play in the struggle.
The new arrangements will give the
President free access to the telegraphers
of the Executive Mansion. Heretofore the
telegraph instruments have been on the
north side of the White House and mes
sages had to be taken back and forth across
a hallway. Everything will now be pri-
vate
Executive Clerk Montgomery will have
exclusive charge of the war room and
the important work to be cone. The TWEEN
ty-ive wires running into the room con-
rect with every rart OF the world.
To Resume Receptions.
Notwithstanding the existence of war
and the neeG of every minute to t.evote to
business President Mckinley has decided
tn resume his tri-weekly receptions to the
public in the cast room of the White
House. There are Thousands Of visitors in
the city. and they express great easerness
to see the President when they so to the
White House 1t is to meet this desire
that the President will resume these re-
ceptions, at which he shakes hands with
hundreds Of people.
Proper precautions will be taken to pro-
tect the President, although not with his
knowledge. He has never expressed tina
least apprehension of danger. He goes
walking driving each day without pro-
| lection other than that of single friend.
Many Early Callers.
The President had a good many official
visitors before 10 o'clock this morning.
These included Senators Mills, Wolcott,
Cullom, Baker and Nelson, Representatives
Henderson, Dockery and Cowherd. Near
ly all of these congressman wanted to
talk with the President about the positions
the militia OF their respective states will
occupy In the conflict with Spain. Some
of them wanted to put in good words for
constituents who desire commissions as
officers under the volunteer bill passed by
Congress