The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-05-14

patch to Secretary Long. This was the only
dispatch reaching any of the foreign estab-
nshments here. The news of the lombard
ment caused deep interest in all foreign
quarters and much anxiety IS shown as to
the condition of foreign residents in San
Juan. At one of the embassies it was stated
that no notice of the bombardment had pre-
coded the actual assault, so far as was
known here. but from the press reports,
stating that foreign officials ard residents
had fed to the interior, IL was presumed
they must have been given sufficient notice.
Il was stated in this connection that Ger
many and other European powers were rep
resented in Porto Rican waters by several
war ships which are counted on to afford
all necessary protection to the citizens OF
those countries.
ing from London to GermanyS purpose
to intervene in the Philippine islands are
not worthy of attention or denial. There
has been no move toward intervention and
it is said there will be Lone The authorities
representing the continental powers feel
that London is encouraging these reports
with view to increasing the bond of friend
ship between the United States and Great
Britain at the expense OF the good feeling
between the United States and the CONT
mental powers.
The French embassy has given to the
state Department copy of the French de-
cree of neutrality. 1t is of special interest
just now in view of the presence of the
Spanish squadron near the French West
Indies. 1t is noted by the officials here that
the decree permits prizes to be taken to-
French ports for twenty-fOur hours which
privilege is not allowed by Great Britain
and some other nations. The text of the
French decree is as follows:
The government of the republic declares
and notifies those whom ii may concern that
1t has resolved to observe strict neutrality
in the war which has been declared between
Spain and the United States. Attention is
called to Frenchmen residing in France, IN
her colonies and in countries under pro-
tectorate, or residing in foreign countries,
that they must abstain from any act which
committed in violation of French laws or of
laffn iatxr aicrl1f 1aO nF1Cfd cd
tile to one OF the parties orr contrary to q
ScrupUlous observance of neutrality. They
are speclhcaliy forbidden to enroll or to
take service either in the army or on board
a man-of-war of either beligerent or to con-
tribute towards the equipment or armament
of naval vessel.
THE government declares. Furthermore.
that no naval vessel of either belligerent
power will be allowed to enter or to sojourn
her colonies, etc, for more than twenty
four hours, with the exception of an en-
forced stay of necessity fully justified. No
sale of articles coming from such prizes can
take place in said ports harbors. All
persons who shall violate these provisions
shall be disbarred from claiming the pro-
lection OF the government or its agents
against any acts or measures which, in
conformity with international law. the bel
they will, moreover, be prosecuted, if nee
essary, in accordance with the laws of the
French republic"
The French embassy has received no
word from the French officials at Martin
ique. The island is under a colonial gov
eminent. with a governor general at its
head. He is not under the jurisdiction of
the French embassy at Washington. and
there is no cipher code for communication
between the ambassador here and the gov
ernor general. For that reason the en-
bassy has not been informed of the pres
ence of the Spanish fleet off this French
island
The naval attaches of the several embas-
sizes and legations look forward to the battle
between Admiral Simpsons squadron and
the Spanish squadron as likely to be the
greatest of modern times. One of them
said to-day that it would be the first great
naval battle between modern ironclads.
The only fight of this kind in recent days
was that between the Japanese cruisers and
torpedo boats and the Chinese battle ships
at Wei-Hai-Wei. when the smaller craft of
the Japanese navy, being swift and well
handled, sunk the Chinese battle ship
Chen-Yuen and disabled the battle ship
Ting-Yuen. This engagement was trifing
however, compared with what the fight
between the American and Spanish squad
son promises to be, owing to the many large
ships with belted armor. heavy guns and
the most deadly weapons of destruction
known to modern naval warfare.