The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1898-04-30

washington. April oV.-r riuay' Seiy
fittingiy was q day OF alarming reports.
These ran all the way from the blowing
up of big monitor tothe detection and
punishment of traitors Fortunately
all OF them turned out on inquiry 10 be
without foundation. Actual events OF
Importance were few In number. The
news of the day Of most interest was the
departure from Cape Verde of the Span
ish fleet, the stay of which at st. Vincent
has been a source OF anxiety. because
1t seemed TO Indicate that the sympathy
OF Portugal for Spain might lead her 10
wink at a violation of. neutrality laws.
Late in the afternoon caplegram from
Cape Verde, bearing no signature, an
nounced that four battleships and three
torpedo boats had started north and
some Of the transports for Cuba, and
that the northern fleet returned shortly,
having been in collision. Because there
was no signature to the cablegram, the
officials did not know what Importance
TO attach to this message.
The majority of the naval officers feel
confident that the feet will appear at the
Canary islands. As the Canaries are
Spanish and possess some fortifications
worthy of consideration. IL may be that
the islands form a strategic base. What
most concerns the naval officers just now
is how to learn when the fleet does ar
rive there. the cable being in the bands
of the Spanish. The intended visitation
of the converted American liners to the
coast OF Spain may hasten home the
Cape Verde squadron. for II 1t believed
that that squadron comprises about all
OF the vessels in the Spanish navy that
are speedy and powerful enough to war
rant an attack upon vessels Of the st.
Paul's class.
No news came yesterday from Admiral
Dewey's squadron on its way to the
Philippines to do battle with the Spanish
fleet. One officer pointed out that IL
Dewey defeated the Spanish fleet, the
Spanish officials. who control the cable
connecting the island with the rest Of the
world, would probably suppress the
news or distcrt the facts into Spanish
victory. Pyesuming that the admiral
is bound directly for Manila. the calcu-
was that he would get there about
o'clock this morning, Manila time. which
is IL hours earlier than our own.
Regarding the growls that appear in
the European papers, and threats to in
terfere to prevent the United States
forces from biockading the Philippines.
it may be stated that this was fully ex-
pected. During the civil war there were
a great many attempts on the part of
European nations to disregard our block
ades and many threats OF interference.
all of which came to naught from the
firm attitude assumed by the secretary
Of state. In the present case the con-
ditions of the Cuban blockade are much
more liberal towards the European
powers than ever before imposed. In
anticipation OF the action of the German
commercial interests in combining to
secure exemption from search for their
mall steamers. 1t is pointed out that the
president. in his proclamation declaring
the existence OF war. explicitly an
nounced that the voyages of mail steam
ers are not to be interfered with except
on the clearest grounds of suspicion of
n violation of the law in respect to con-
traband or blockade
The universal current OF authority, ac-
cepted by all nations. is that the occas-
iona ingress or egress OF n ship in no way
affects the validity of blockade. AS
explained by Earl Russell during the
blockade or Confederate ports in 1853. the
declaration OF Paris as to the effective
ness of q blockade is not intended to re-
quire that ingress and egress Shall be
made impossible. but II is aimed at paper
hlockades, or nominal blockade not en-
forced by ships. The Franch, German
and other admiralty officers have taken
similar grounds as to the effectiveness
of blockade. All they require is that
ships shall be at the ports blockaded,
making ingress or egress dangerous
With the law so clearly established and
ell the commercial nations accepting IL,
II is said that Spains point against the
effectiveness OF the Havana blockade
can amount to nothing.
The pressure continues undated on
the war department for changes in the
plan already announced as to mobili-
zation of the volunteer troops and. very
much against its judgment. the depart
ment is making concessions in this mat
ter. A large number OF callers are bring
ing forward candidates for the many
plums within the gift of the president
and Secretary Alger in the shape OF ap-
pointments to grades above regimentai
I'm the army. General Lee and General
Dodge spent a good part OF the day In
conference with officials, giving color to
the reports that they are among those
selected for appointment as major gem
erals.
General Miles and his assistants were
In conference respecting operations that