The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1898-04-21

bardment by the feet--are matters OF
mere speculation. The experts OF the
army and navy have laid their plans
with the greatest detail for the future.
but they say that any attempt to make
these public In advance. to the manifest
advantage of Spain. would be actual
treason.
The policy to be followed by this gov
ernment In tho treatment of neutrals
and In regard to privatsering is con-
tained In the following statement: In
the event Of hostilities between the
United States and Spain. 1t will be the
policy OF this government not to resort
to privateering. The government will
adhere to the following rules:
First. neutral nag covers an enemys
goods with the exception Of contraband
Of war.
Second. neutral goods not coutraband
~ war are not liable to confiscation
under an enemy's flag.
Third. blockades in order to be bind
ing must be effective.
This doctrine is undoubtedly laid down
to meet the various inquiries received by
the diplomatic representatives OF the
United States from foreign governments
as to the attitude assumed by the United
States 1t is substantially In line with
the rules practiced In the Chinese
Japanese war. placing the United States
in most advanced position so far as the
protection OF individual property and
neutral goods at sea Is concerned. By
IL Spanish goods are made free from
seizure on the seas in the bottoms Of a
neutral power. This decision on the
part Of our government win doubtless
bo welcomed In Europe.
Word came to the navy department
that the Pelayo. Vizcaya and Oquendo
are at present at Cape de Verde islands
In company with the torpedo boat hotilla-
1t is realized that this constitutes a most
formidable naval force-in the opinion
OF experts equal to our flying squadron
In Hampton roads.
The department Is a good deal dis
turbed about the Somers, now lying In
Falmouth. Eng. and Is casting about
for means to bring her to the United
States with safety 50 far without sue
cess.
The object Of most concern at the war
department was the calling out Of vol
unteers. This turns out to be a much
more complicated question than was at
first supposed, and the officials in des-
peration are looking to congress for i'm
mediate relief in this extremity. There
are all sorts OF antiquities and conflicts
In the existing laws. which. 1t is said.
consist Of nothing more than a lot OF
patchwork dating from the beginning
Of the republic. 1t 10 recalled that even
President Lincoln was obliged to call
upon congress to validate the calls he
had been forced to issue for troops. and
no successful effort has been made since
that day to provide adequate machinery
whereby the government might availit-
self In an emergency of the vast re-
sources of the United States In the way
of troops. One OF the difficulties that
confronted the officials. when ii was sup
posed that the way had been cleared In
q certain meause for the use of the ma
tional guard as United States volunteer
troops. was a conflict between sections
110s and 1s45, revised statutes. 1t was
the purpose Of the department. in def
erence to the wishes Of the national
Ruardsmen, to allow them to preserve
their own organizations in the event
that they are called into the national
service, but the national guard regi-
ments are all organized on the three
battalion basis, and each infantry regi-
ment consists OF IL companies. with
majors. battalion adjutants, etc. The
regular army organization provides for
one major. a very much reduced stan
OF officers and 10 companies. II Is mani
testify improper. therefore. to muster the
national guardrmen to the army with
their present organization and IL Is be-
lieved to be inexpedient to attempt to re-
organize the guard on so short notice.
The military enthusiasm has spread to
the capital usually so undemonstra-
tive. and the city is brilliant with stars
and stripes. Along F street and other
thoroughfares yesterday nearly every
building new the flag and some Of the
larger business houses took on the ap-
pearance OF an Inauguration day. Sc
eral of them were literally covered with
red. white and blue bunting. In the resi-
Dental portions OF the city many houses
had the colors. and the city generally
had a holiday aspect. Passengers ar
irving from distance reported that the
enthusiasm was general In the country.
Nearly every railway station was dec
GRATED. especially along the routes Of the
troops now in motion. At every hamlet
and village the nag was In evidence, and
chfering crowds everywhere greeted the
mintary trainA
CONGRESSIONAL.