The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1898-04-28

that this is the first serious breakdown
she has suffered in the nine years of
her service. Luckily the department
is able to replace her very shortly, for
President Malster, of the Columbian
Iron work, called at the navy depart
ment this afternoon to announce that
the torpedo boat Mckee, twenty
knotter, would be ready for trial to-
morrow. She will be sent at once to
Norfolk to have the finishing touches
added and will tomorrow Join the
squadron.
Powers Neutral.
The state department posted a notice
today stating it had been officially ad-
vised of the issuance of neutrality or
ders by Italy, the Netherlands, Switzer-
land, Norway and Sweden, Russia and
Columbia. To these may be added
Great Britain, that country having
issued a neutrality proclamation, al
though the state department has not
yet been officially advised of the fact.
1t Is supposed that the official notice
Of Frances neutrality will be received
by tomorrow. Up to tonight, however,
the French ambassador M. Cambon,
had not received any notice Of such
proclamation.
Including France, four out of the six
great powers of Europe have declared
Italy, France and Russia. There re-
main Of the foreign powers Germany
and Austria, neither of which have yet
acted
The delay Of Austria does not cause
surprise, as Austria's sympathy with
Spain Is more pronounced than that
Of any other country Of Europe 1t is
not doubted, however, that Austria will
assume neutral attitude sooner or
later.
The delay of Germany Is felt to be
due solely to Germany's consulting her
own commercial interests before shap-
ing the exact terms of her neutrality
proclamation. From the first Germany
and Great Britain have opposed the
right of search as detrimental to Brit
ish and German commerce. Thus far
Spain has announced much more
radical doctrine than the United States
on this matter.
It is understood that this matter Of
right of search is causing the hesita-
tion on the part of Germany, and that
If it is satisfactorily established that
German merchant ships shall not be
subject to harrassment, Germany will
adopt the same course asother nations.
The action already taken by four Of
| the six great powers shows there will
| be no concert Of interference.
Eyes on Portugal.
The attitude of Portugal is felt to be
more important just at present than
that of any Of the powers Of Europe,
owing to the presence Of the Spanish
feet at the Cape Verde islands, belong
| ing to Portugal. Neither the state de-
partment nor the Portuguese minister
at Washington, Viscount de Santo-
Thyrso had received word up tonight
as to the purpose Of Portugal on the
question Of neutrality.
This caused considerable apprehen-
sion in official circles here, as it was
| felt that Portugal's vicinage to Spain
| might induce her to withhold neutral
| ity for a time. She owns the Cape
Verde group, the Azores and the Ma
deiras, which would give the Spanish
| fleet three very important bases Of Op-
| Grafton. Late in the day the press dis
| patch from Lisbon saying that the cab
met council would declare neutrality
| tomorrow relieved this apprehension
considerably.
Members of the diplomatic corps dis
| miss the report coming from Europe
that another move toward European in
tervention will be made as soon as
Spain suffers decisive reverse. This
is said to be purely conjectural, as no
such move has taken form thus far by
the exchange of notes.