Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-04-25
AT THE STATE DEPARTMENT..



From the fact that the State Depart
ment has not been called upon SO far to
prepare any proclamation giving notice of
a blockade Of either Porto Rico or the
Philippines, 1t may be set down as a fact
that 40 such blockade has been undertaken
1t is the usual practice, as was shown i'm
the proclamation relative to the blockade
OF Cuban ports, to give due notice to for
eisn powers by proclamation OF an inten-
ton 10 blockade. and although it is not
absolutely necessary to follow this course
it is believed that the State Department
Will observe the usual rule. 1t is entirely
within the province of an admiral COM
manding, however. If i'm his opinion an
emergency exists sufficient to justify it,
to establish the blockade first and then
give notice and in the case of the Philli-
pines ii is probable that such course will
be followed in order that the Spanish naval
fierce now at Manila might not be given
an opportunity to escape capture at the
hands Of the United States Asiatic squad
ron by advanced notice.
The State Department has not yet un-
dertaken to pass upon the legality of
seizures of prizes by United States naval
vessels. 1t is the disposition of the Of
by the prize court, but the Judgement of
earnest protests with the department
against some of the seizures already made
may result in obliging the department to
pass upon this question in the beginning.
The officials are feeling just a trife I'M
comfortable over the statement coming
from Madrid to the effect that the Spanish
government has allowed American mer-
chant ships thirty days to make their way
safely out Of Spanish ports. as the COM
parison likely to be made between the
practices in this respect Of the two gov
ernments might place US in a disadvan-
taSeous light.
The impending retirement of Secretary
Sherman and the absence of Assistant Sec
rotary Day in Ohio resulted In leaving the
practical conduct of the State Department
today in the hands of Second Assistant Sec
rotary Adee. He was engaged during the
morning in the preparation of the CORE
spondence bearing upon the ultimatum ac-
companyingN the message of the President
recommending formal declaration of war.
The correspondence is mainly interesting
as tending to bear out the contention OF
the State Department that Spain has ac
knowledged the receipt of our ultimatum
through its admission that a state of war
exists Senator Lodge, Senator Hanna and
some other senators and representatives
called upon Assistant Secretary Adee this
morning and in consequence the foreign re-
lations committee of the Senate was fully
advised as to the purpose of the President
in recommending a declaration of war be-
fore the message itself went to Congress.
1t was felt best to do this in order that the
committee might prepare itself in advance
for speedy action upon his suggestion.
There was a good deal of speculation at
the department upon the succession upon
Secretary SherEan's retirement but i'm the
absence of Judge Day, who has been most
prominently mentioned for appointment to
the Secretaryship Of State no one appear
ed to be authorized to make any statement
upon the subject.