The Portland daily press., 1898-04-27
WAR PAINT ON.
Washington Assumes a Belligerent
Aspect.

those of actual war; Notice came to the
State Department. from the four quarters
of the globe today showing that the
nations as rule are prepared TO assume
an attitude of strict neutrality as between
the United States and Spain in the
present struggle. In most cases they were
in answer to the identical note sent out
yesterday by the State Department to all
United States embassies and legations,
instructing them to inform the govern
ments to which they were accredited that
war has existed since April 2lst. Great
Britain always has taken an advanced
stand in the principles of neutrality so
that it was with great interest that the
news was received here of the terms of
the neutrality proclamation issued in
London. On the whole, the officials are
disposed to take the view that strict adj
herence by Great Britain to these rules
will be rather more advantageous to the
United States than to Spain, particularly
as we are now operating in the naval
and in all probability soon will cut Spain
off from the bases that she now has in
the neighborhood of Cuba.
The President issued proclamation
during the day laying down rules as to
the seizure of prizes and the result, it is
ships already captured, though it will
be for the prize courts to determine. in
each case whether the conditions under
which the ship was captured are such as
to warrant release.
The impression prevails that the Buena
Ventura. the first on the list of prizes
will be declared no prize. The case of
the Panama whose seizure was reported
today is more complicated, owing to the
fact that, while otherwise exempt. the
ship was reported to have contained sup
plies for the Spanish army in Cuba,
which are contraband. However, it may
be said that while.the settlement of thess
questions will be left 60 the courts, the
administration believes thatgreat liberali-
ty. should he shown in the application of
the laws, where a vessel is not contraband
or attempting to run the blockade. That
proclamation itself by viii III the prize
courts must be guided. 1t is noted, also,
that the administration has not been de-
TERED by any criticism in Congress from
again formally pledging itself to the
nations of the world, to refrain from
privatering and abide by tbs declaration
of Paris of 1856.
So far as is known all the United States
oonsuls have made their way safely out of
Spain, Consul Fay, at Darile has reported
to the department from Lisbon, Consul
Bowen at Barcelona from Paris, and
Consuls Carroll at Cadiz and Consul
Bartelman at Malaga from Gibraltar.
The department has assured itself that
| the others are safe.
| Secretary Sherman retired finally today
from the position Of Secretary of State
and his successor was confirmed in the
person of Judge Day. John Barset Moore,
undoubtedly, will be confirmed tomorrow
in Judge Days place. The latter is ex-
pected to return to Washington in about
two days time.
The army reorganization bill became a
law during the day and the war depart
ment officials have begun to devise the
| best means Of carrying out the purposes
of the act, which will result in an in
| crease OF the regular army to more than
sixty Thousand men.
In the war department preparations
went on with ceaseless energy for the or
ganization of the volunteer army. All
the officers were detailed who are to be
sent to the various states and territories
to muster the guardsmen into the service
ofthe United States. 81
The plans for the full organization of
the army were also perfected to provide
officers for the regular army and volun-
teers. Secretary A1ger also ordersd the as
signuent to duty of all the cadets at the
West Point military academy who would
in the ordinary course of events have
graduated in June.
The greatest anxiety was shown at the
navy department for news from the
blockading squadron. Notwithstanding
the frequent reports that came from un-
Official sources of engagements between
the fleet and the shore batteries, no word
OF confirmation came officially. The three
prizes reported today to have been seized
by the fleet were not referred to in the
official dispatches but the press reports of
the seizures were received with the great
est satisfaction by the officers of the de-
partment who in some cases, did not
hesitate to declare their envy of their
more fortunate brother officers with the
heet. In fact it is becoming very hard
| A~SA.S5 W ASe."AA> 80 49, - ~
of the department. the officers who are alb
solutely required in view of their earnest
desire to go to the front. A few days ago
for instance, Commodore Bradford chief
of the equipment bureau, rendered his
resignation of that place and asked to be
given warship. After considering the
matter for a day or two, the Secretary
was obliged to return the following
answer today: N s a @
my Dear Commodore: M
/ 81 am in receipt Of your letter enclosing
your resignation SIS chief of the bureau OF
equipment, navy department, and asking
me to present it to the President. ! ap-
preciate that the patriotic purpose which
actuates you in rendering this is solely a
desire for active service afoat. l appreci-
ate also the high professional spirit,
characteristic of the true naval officer
which has impelled you to seek post of
duty at the front, wnere the danger and
the sacrifice are greatest. sympathize
with your ardor so deeply that should
cordially comply with your request II
did not feel the strongest conviction that
you can in no other way render SO great a
service as you are doing now, at the head
OF the bureau of equipment. I need not
tell you how much l roly upon your abso,
lutte integrity, good Judgment, ability and
M