The daily morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven, Conn.) 1894-1907, 1898-04-28
GERMANY IS HESITATING
SHE FEARS HARASSMENT OF HER
MERCHANT SHIPS.

- otN~~N
Felt to be Very Important and Advices
Are 10 the Effect That She win Declare
Neutrality To-day--Central and Eouth
American Countries.
Washington, April 27.-The state de-
partment posted notice to-day stat
ing it had been officially notified of the
issuance of neutrality orders by ITALY,
the Netherlands, Switzerland, Norway
and Sweden, Russia and Colombia. To
these should be added Great Britain,
that country having issued a neutrality
proclamation, although the state de-
partment has not yet been officially ad-
vised of the fact. 1t is supposed, also,
that the official notice of Frances neu-
trality will be received by tomorrow
as press dispatches announce that
proclamation was agreed upon at yes
terday's cabinet council at Paris. UP
to tonight, however, the French am
badassor, M. Cambon, had not received
any notice of such proclamation.
Four Ont of Six Great Powers.
Including France four out of the six
great powers of Europe have declared
their neutrality, namely; Great Brit
ain, France, Italy and Russia. The two
other great powers, Germany and Aus
tria, have not yet acted. The delay Of
Austria does not cause surprise, as
Austria's sympathy with Spain is more
pronounced than that of any other
country in Europe. It Is not doubted,
however that Austria will assume neu-
trality sooner or later. From the first
Germany and Great Britain have op-
posed the right Of search as detrimen-
tai to British and German commerce.
Thus far Spain has announced much
more radical doctrine than the United
States in this matter. The Spanish or
der published in the official Gazette
last Monday announced the purpose of
exercising the right of search on all
merchant ships on the high seas. The
presidents proclamation Of yesterday
qualified the right of search by saying
that it ais to be exercised with a strict
regard for the right Of neutrals carry
ing mails
Cause of Germany's Hesitation.
It is understood that this matter of
right of search is causing the hesita-
tion on the part of Germany and that If
it Is satisfactorily established that Ger
man merchant ships shall not be sub
iect to harassment Germany will adopt
the same course as other nations. The
action already taken by four Of the
six great powers shows there will be no
concert of interference either between
the great powers or between the three
powers constituting the Driebund.
The Attitude of Portugal.
The attitude Of Portugal is felt to be
more important just at present than
that of any of the great powers of
Europe owing to the presence of the
Spanish fleet at the Cape Verde islands
belonging to Portugal Neither the
state department nor the Portuguese
minister at Washington, Viscount De
Santi Thryso, had received word up
+o last night as to the purpose of Por-
tugal on the question of neutrality.
This caused considerable apprehension
in official circles here, as it was felt
that Portugals sympathy with Spain
might incline HeE " WlLHHOlu nel ueu-
trality for time. Late in the day a
dispatch was received from Lisbon
saving that the cabinet would declare
neutrality tomorrow, relieved this ap-
prehension. The effect of the decree
will be to compel the Spanish fleet at
Cape Verde to leave Immediately.
Colombia is the only South or Central
American country which thus far has
declared neutrality. Spain has count
ed much on the cooperation of Span
ish-American countries, but there is no
reason to doubt that all of them will
ADOPT a neutral position.
Colombia is Neutral.
Members of the diplomatic corps dis
miss the report coming from Europe
that another move toward European
intervention will be made as soon as
Spain receives a decided reverse. 1t is
accepted as settled that no more ships
will be allowed to leave those countries
which have declared neutrality. The
view is that neither the Albany, nor
the torpedo boat Somers can leave,
even though the United States flag was
raised over them before the proclama-
tion of neutrality was issued. 1t is
said the raising of the flag cannot avoid
the manifest uses Of the ship for war
purposes.