The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1898-04-28

Also, that the spaniards had captured the
great American sailing vessel, the Shenan-
doah belonging to Arthur Sewaii, late
Democratic candidate for Vice-President,
and which left San Francisco Jan. D, with
a cargo of wheat for Liverpool.
Spanish securities fell alarmingly, the
Government bonds over 80 per cent.
SATURDAY, APRIL 2s.
Preparations for war went on in Spain
with increasing ACTIVITY. Reserves to the
number OF $4,000 were called out, and regi-
ments sent to garrison the BaleTic islands
much to the surprise of Americans, VINO
have no idea of carrying the war across
the water. The Ministry gave out the
following announcement in regard to
privateering:
First. The Government reserves liberty
as to the question of coal being cOntrabano
of war.
Second. Spain will not issue letters OF
marque and will treat all vessels holding
letters of marque issued by America as
pirates, and not as pr1yateers
Spain will utilize a numerous mercantile
feet as auxiliary warships and Will exer-
else the right OF search, both by regular
and auxiliary warships.
CALL FOR TROOPS.
The President issued the followin :, in
which, after reciting the resolution adopted
by Congress, he said:
Now, therefore, /, william Mckinley.
President of the United States, by virtue OF
the power vested in me by the Consti-
sutton and the laws, and deemlng
sufficient occasion to exist, have thought
fit 20 call forth, volunteers to the aggregate
number of 125, 900, in order to carry INTO
effect the purpose OF the SAID ieSo 1ution,
the same to be appOrtiOned as far as prac,,
ticable, among the several States and
Territories and the District of Columbia, ac-
cnrdinp fn nOnII La ion and to serve iOr Two
years, unless sooner discharged. The de-
tails for this object will be Immediately
communicated to the proper au hortleS,
through the War Department
THE BLOCKADE OF HABANA. =
The following explanation is given OF the
character of the operations in front OF
Habana:
The real reason for not directing Rear
Admiral Sampson squadron to engage III
offens We operations before Habana is that
il is not deemed wise at this time to sub
ject the fleet to the possible disablement OF
any vessel. While there is no doubt that
the combined attack of the ships would re-
suit in the eventual destruction OF the
Havana defenses, it is also likely that IN
the engagement one or more OF our battle-
ships or cruisers would be lost by we'll
directed shots from the shore. This would
result in weakening our naval strength 10
a degree, which might make a battle with
the Spanish feet one of doubt, and there
is no desire to run this risk at this time.
The Key West squadron viii, therefore, be
kept out OF the range of the Havana guns
for the present.
1t is expected that the Spanish fleet,
leaving Cane Verde Islands, will begin to
make its way across the Atlantic, either to
assemble at Porto Rico or else to attempt
the relief OF Habana. When that time
comes the combined commands OF Rear
= EAs~an Schiav
will be sent to meet it, and, it is expected,
will destry it. This having been done,
there will be nothing further to fear from 1t,
and the attack on Habana can be made
without fear OF successful interruption.
After the Spanish feet has been defeated,
The cruisers Columbia and Minneapolis
suddenly went to sea at 10:45 a. m. for an
unknown destinations
MORO Castle occasionally fred at the
fleet, the nearest vessel OF which was i've
miles distant, but received no reply.
The steamer catalina, loaded with
slaves, asd Miguel Jever, laden with cot
ton and slaves, 4nd the schooner Mathlide
were taken by vessels OF the feet. The
steamers are worth 9ab0ut 500, 900, and
their cargoes aBoutIGS1 SO, 600 each. The
schooners Candida, laden with charcoal,
and the Antonio, laden with sugar, were
Fears had been enteKtained that the
spanish fleet at GapeoVerde was planning
the capture of theIba Hfeship Oregon, whose
commander might not know of the declara-
ton of war. Tho Navy Department an
nounced that the F0Fegon reached Punta
Arenas, the most southern extremity OF
South America, on Friday, where she took
on 500 tons of coal, and her Captain re-
ceived numerous kilograms. fully advising
him as to the situation. She is fully able
to take care Of herself in any emergency.
She has with her the gunboat Marietta.
SUNDAY, APRIL "a.
Reports from Cuba by way of Jamaica
were to the effect ihat the Spaniards were
leaving the interior and concentrating at
the seacoast towns, burning and destroy
ing everything as they marched.
The Spanish Ministry issued decree re-
serving rights as to privateering, but an
nouncing that for the present only auxiliary
cruisers will be fitted out. All treaties
with the United States are annulled, 30
days are given to United States ships to
leave Spanish ports, and the rules Spain
will observe during the war are outlined IN
five clauses, covering neutral flags and
goods, what will be considered a blockade,
the right of search, and what constitutes
contra band OF war.
aIOSDAY, APRIL rs.
The President sent the following message
to Congress:
To the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America:
| transmit to the Congress for its con-