The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1898-04-21
the president. at the White house some
time tomorrow probably.
Spain's Move.

0OW0
time tomorrow probably.
Spain's Move.
The next move must now be made by
Spain, according to the department Of
fcials. If the Spanish government
takes view, as might possibly be con-
cluded from the action of it's minister
here today, that In language and terms
the congressional resolution is insulting
1t may promptly hand Mr.. Woodford
MS passports upon receipt of this COM
munition, and thus bring the negOtia-
tions to the crisis and cause breach
OF diplomatic relations within the next
twenty-four hours.
II, on the other hand, It should neg
lect to return satisfactory answer
before Saturday noon, that line Of poll
cy will be quite as effective as a posi-
tive act, inasmuch as 1t would amount
to refusal Of the demands Of the Unit
ed States.
ceed Immediately to use the naval and
military forces of the United States to
execute the will Of congress.
How this will be done with the steps
shall be first taken, whether Havana
shall be blockaded or whether an at
tempt shall be made to make cam
paign by hurting large force Of troops
ment of fleet. are all matters of mere
speculation. The experts Of the army
and navy have laid their plans with the
greatest detail for the future, but they
do not hesitate to say that any at
tempt to make these public in advance,
to the manifest advantage Of Spain,
would be actual treason.
No Privateers.
An outline of the policy to be fol-
lowed by this government in the treat
ment Of neutrals and the matter Of
privateering Is contained in the fol-
lowing statement:
In the event of hostilities between the
United States and Spain 1t will be the pol
icy of this government not to resort to
to the following rules:
Frst-Neutral flag covers enimies goods
with the exception of contraband Of war.
Seccnd-Neutral goods not contraband OF
war are not liable to conascation under
enemies flags.
Third-Blockades in order to be binding,
must be effective.
This doctrine is undoubtedly laid
down to meet the various inquiries re-
ceived by the diplomatic representa-
tives of the United States from for
eign governments as to the attitude as
sumed by the United States. 1t is sub
stantially in line with the rules prac-
ticed in the recent Chinese-Japanese
war and places the United States In
most advanced position, so far as the
protection of individual property and
neutral goods at sea is concerned. BY
it Spanish goods are made free from
seizure on the high seas in the bottoms
of a neutral power.
This decision on the part Of our gov
ernment will doubtless be welcomed in
Europe.
Formidable Force.
Word came to the navy department
today that the Spanish cruisers Pelayo,
ViZcaya and Oquendo are all at pres
ent at Cape Verde islands, in company
with the torpedo boat fotilla. 1t is
realized that this constitutes a most
formidable naval force, in the opinion
of experts equal to our crack flying
squadron now lying in Hampton Roads.
The department is good deal dis
turbed about the torpedo boat Somers,
now lying at Falmouth, England, and
is casting about for means to bring her
to the United States with safety, so
far without success.
No purchase Of ships made during
the day, but the offerings continue in
undiminished numbers.
Capt. Duvall, the artillery expert
and special aid to Secretary Alger,
who has been making an investigation
of the Southern sea coast defences, re-
turned to Washington today, and re-
ported the results Of his trip to Adjt
Gen. Corbin. For prudential reasons
the result cannot be made public.
The military enthusiasm has spread
to the capital, usually undemonstra-
tive, and today the city was brilliant
with the stars and stripes. Along F
street and other thoroughfares near
ly every building flew the flag and some
Of the larger business houses took
on the appearance of an Inaugural
ton day. Several of rnem were liter
ally covered with red, white and blue
bunting. In the residential portions of
the city many private houses raised
the colors, and the city generally had
a holiday aspect.
Passengers arriving from distance
report that the enthusiasm was gen.
eral in the country. Nearly every
railway station was decorated, par
ticularly along the routes Of the
troops now in motion. At every ham
let and village the flag was in evil
dence, and cheering crowds every
where greeted the military trains.
Final Plans.
The president spent nearly all of the
afternoon with prominent officials, dis
cussing war measures. Secretary AL
ger, Secretary Long, Gen. Miles, Gen.
Schof1eld and Capt. Crowinshield were
with him until nearly o'clock. Gen.
Miles brought with him several maps
and other documents, and it is believed
that the matters under discussion had
special reference to the contemplated
movement against Cuba.
AT about 5:15 o'clock the conference
broke up, and the president and Gen.
Alger took a drive.
Another matter which occupied a
share of the time this afternoon was
the question of issuing proclamation
calling for volunteers in anticipation
of the early passage by the senate of
pending bill authorizing the president
to raise volunteer army. The form
of proclamation, it is said, has been
determined upon, but some difficulty
has been experienced in alloting a
proper quota to each particular state.
AT the close of the conference this
afternoon Gen. Alger announced that
the proclamation would not be issued
before tomorrow at the earliest
1t was learned today from an admins
stration source just why the president
was desirious of avoiding express
recognition Of the Cuban republic.