The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1898-04-26
A GUARANTEE.
SEATTLE. TUESDAY. APRIL -.


WAN DECLARED WITH SPAIN.
The president has sare6 a lot OF con-
fusion by dating the beginning Of war
back TO the 2ist day OF April. including
Sunday. II Ii very small matter that
Che Nashville should be able TO retain its
prize. but that will BIZ one of the incl
dental results. II ststes a matter OF
fact. because war had already begun.
Congress had authorized the president
20 Use the entire land and naval
forces OF the United States to en-
force a demand which was made I'm
mcdtateiy the president signed the reso-
buttons stating II. AZ . matter of cour-
tesy the president gave the SPANISH gov
eminent until Saturday. April %. within
which to decide; but the Spanish gov
eminent elected not to avail itself Of
chat interval. but taking official cogni-
the president. anticipated the presenta-
zion OF the message extending the time
Of peace and handed our minister at
Madrid his passports.
The mere suspension OF diplomatic re-
ietlone would not be tantAnaeunt to =
declaration Of war OF itseif but il 10
equivalent when II h preceded by such
m act as that Of congress Immediately
prior thereto. The European govern
ments viii now take notice that war Is
on. and that we shall expect them to OBJ
serve strict neutrality.
This Ia our first war With Spain, but
II Is not by many the first serious
trouble We have had with that country
The first complication began with Presi-
dent Jefferson's purchase Of Louisiana
In iuos The trouble arose over whether
the Spanish province OF West Florida
was included I'm that purchase. The col
ony Of the province OF Louisiana had
passed between Spain and France sey-
eral times. and jefferson assumed, as
he had some right TO dc. that this coun.
try was buying the same territory from
AtaHS" taas Hau ht<u tsutu 10 mat
country by Spain A year later when
the United States undertook To estab-
lssh . custom house at Mobile, IN West
Florida. Spain set up claim to some
Of the territory, The Spanish minister
~ Washington was detected in attempt
ing Ia bribe u newspaper at PHILADELPHIA
10 advocate Spanish boundary claims.
and cur government, demanded his re-
call. The trouble Was eventually settled
b. our purchasing the Frcridas for
81, cor. 0sa.
In fsts Spain failed Co observe It's
obligation "a a neutral In cur war with
Gtrat Britain. Gen Wilkinson was d.
rectsd to occupy Mobile and part Of
West Florida. Negotiations were then
On Cor the purchase of The territory. but
meantime runaway slaves and hostile
Indians. especially Creeks. were causing
considerable trouble. Gen. jackson was
ordered 60 take command in Georgia
against them. lie limited ,ha, il IL was
desirable he would elsan the spsn-
ish~-who were aiding and abetting the
Indians-~ogt Of the f1oridas. inside ~
sixty days. He Was officially directed 10
eeasinc himself &c his orders. bat when
he got away beyond reach ~ authority
he made that celebrated war of his own
which has done So much 60 make him
famous. In i've months. according Ia hls
own Journal. he had whipped the In
dams. restored tranquility 10 the hor-
der and captured province from Spain.
with which We were Supposed 90 b. In
state OF peace.
Fer time /, looked as IL war with
Spain could not be avoided. rresidsn,
Monrue and his cabinet. with the sxcer-
tioN 81 John Quincy Adams. then secrs-
tary OF state. were disposed tn snpease
the spaaiards by making a sacrifice OF
Gen. jackson We know the result.
Monroe IL known by his doctrine. but
Andrew Jackson by hts deeds. Carry.
tnx out the desire ~ the government,
Tor an avoidance 81 war with spain
Aesms soaghs ta appease the span.arsss.
Dur ne ala II in RICH, vigorous way.
he Informed the spanish government,
Shas - there seemed &c have been some