The herald., 1898-04-26

of any of the Spanish vessels was erron-
eous. AS to the length of time the cruis-
ers will remain at sea, the officials are re-
ticent, but 1t Is generally understood that
they will not return to port without .hav~
ing some prizes to show as the result Of
the voyage they are now making.
The State of War
WASHINGTON, April 25.-The Presi-
dents message recommending declara-
ton Of war was accompanied by ten or
fifteen kilograms and notes that passed
between the governments of Spain and
the United States, mainly through Min
lister Woodford, but partly through Min
lister Polo. 1t is believed these papers
clearly establish the position of this gov
ernment that Spain has recognized the
existence of state of war.
The Cable Cut
NEW YORK, April 25.-A dispatch to
the Herald from Tampa, Fla, says: The
United States has cut the Havana cable.
The cut was made about ten miles out Of
Havana, and the southern end of the cable
is now on the Mangrove, which was re-
Gently converted into an auxiliary cruiser.
This gives the government exclusive use
OL lHe CdDlc anu cHliIciy Cueo OiL captain
General Blanco from communication with
Spain, as the insurgents are between him
and the other cable ports. 1t is intended
as soon as the blockade Of Cienfuegos Is
established to cut the cable between that
port and Jamaica, thus entirely severing
telegraphic communication between Cuba
and the outside world, except such matter
as is sent through the United States CEN
sorship. This censorship has already been
rigidly established at Key West.
1t is said the censorship will be extended
to Punta Gorda.
Orders have been issued by the navy de-
partment to prevent the newspaper boats
from following the fleet, thus doubling the
difficulty Of obtaining accurate informa-
ton, as well as greatly delaying it.
Officers and crew of the captured ship
Buena Ventura have been given their lib
erty, after a consultation of navy and
army officers in Key West. The captain
and purser, as we'll as the crew, were COM
PEELED to shovel coal in the Helena, no.
withstanding their strenuous objection
They were not held as prisoners of war
because they were captured on the high
seas, before war had been formally de"
clared.
Only a Censorship
NEW YORK, April 25.-vice-Presiden-
Clark of the Western Union Telegraph
Company said: "Cablegrams are being
transmitted as usual between Havana ant
Key West, but subject to the United States
censorship at Key West"
Possible Prizes
NEW YORK, April 25.-Letters Of marqu,
are not to be issued by the Spanish Gov
ernment at present, but 1t is believed here
| that they soon will be- says the Madrid cor.
respondent Of the Herald.
This step has been contemplated evel
since the possibility of war became appa
rent. The decree Officially announcing tho
Government decision appears in thi!
mornings Gaceta, which says, in accord
ance with its undoubted right, the service
of auxiliary cruisers is about to be added
to the naval force Of the country. This
auxiliary service is composed of vessels
drawn from the merchant marine.
The decision is hailed with satisfaction
by the populace in the Spanish ports ant
coast towns. 1t is estimated, it is difficult
to say on what grounds, that in a very
brief period between 1900 and 1000 corsairs
can be equipped ready for securing tho
seas in search of contraband of war des
tined for the United States.
There is great deal Of talk about keep
ing sharp lookout for yachts belonging
| to American millionaires, which, as tn
Impartial ingenuously says, would b
worth capturing, as those in the Mediter
ranean alone at the present time represen
the value of many millions Specially sin
gled out are the Valiant, Margarita, Sui
tana, Nadma and Arcturus. Swift vessels
belonging to the Spanish navy are to cruis,
about the Straits of Gibraltar, the Sue;
Canal and the English Channel, so as tc
make prizes Of any of those yachts tina
might attempt to pass through.
In Fear of Attack
SEATTLE, Wash. April 25.-A local
Alaskan transportation company has wiret
Secretary of the Navy Long for six Gatlini
guns to be placed on one Of their steamer.
as q protection against any Spanish war
ship or privateer that may be in the Nortl
Pacific Ocean when the first steamers star
on their return trip from st. Michael from
the Klondike.