The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1898-04-29

says that the president will to-day
send message to congress suggesting
that a declaration of war be passed.
This action was fastened by the
seizure OF the Spanish merchantmen
off the Florida coast and the desire to
prevent any possible complication.
The right of seizure of the Buena
Ventura, however. is not questioned
by the administration, since Spain her.
self accepted our ultimatum as q dec
laratiou Of war.
There is a difference of opinion
among the members of the committee
on foreign affairs as to the advisable
ity of the formal declaration of war
by congress. The wishes of the adj
ministration, however, will be followed
in this regard. If the administration
considers the formal notification to the
powers OF the existence of war suf-
ficient congress will make no declara-
ton. There are some members of the
house committee, however, who be-
lieve q declaration should follow the
first overt act in order to define the
international status absolutely.
Two Important Steps.
Washington. April 24.-There We're
two further important steps in Wash
ington toward actual hostilities, not to
mention the overt act involved in the
seizure Of the Spanish vessel Buena
Ventura off Key West. The first was
the issue by the president of his proc
lamation announcing to the world 81
blockade Of number of Cuban ports,
and the second was the signing by him
of the bill providing for the utilization
OF the volunteer forces in war. Then
in addition there was notable retire
ment from the navy department in the
case of Capt. Royal B. Bradford, chief
of the equipment division. Capt.
Bradford is not only an officer of high
scientific attainmants, but is equipped
as well with great practical experience
i'll naval matters. Although he has
not held his present office long and by
custom is entitled to nearly three
years Of further service here, he has
become SO impatient to join in active
service that he rendered his resigna-
ton to the president. The resignation
will be accepted, and by virtue of his
rank. as we'll as to mark the high re-
gard entertained for him by the ad-
ministration he will be given one of
the best Of the available ships in the
navy.
Not to the Powers.
Following up the formalities begin
ming with the blockade proclamation,
the state department addressed an
identical note to all of the representa-
tives of foreign nations accredited to
Washington notifying them of the pol
icy to be pursued by this government
in the matter of privateering and neu-
rrality. In brief it declares that our
government will not resort to pri-
watering, that enemy's goods in neu-
trail bottoms, save contraband, are eX-
empt from seizure: that neutral goods
not contraband under enemy's flag are
safe from seizure, and that blockades
to be binding must be effective. In
substance these are the principles laid
down in the agreement of Paris of
1856. The officials are not disturbed
ut the semi-oficial notice from Madrid
that Spain will refuse to be bound by
the same principles and forbid pri-
watering, for they are satisfied that
the great commercial powers will not
tolerate the
Practice of Privatecring
under the Spanish flag. Inquiry at the
navy department as to the story that
our government had arranged for the
seizure of the Hawaiian islands and
the establishment of a coaling station
in Hawaii failed to secure any posi-
tive statement on the subject. There
is good authority for believing that
the story is exaggerated and that all
that. has been done is to provide for
the establishment of coaling depot
and its adequate protection.
The naval officials feel every conf
dence in the ability of the Oregon and
Marietta not only to protect them
selves from the Spanish gunboat lem
erario, but to destroy that craft if she
comes within range. The limitation
Of the blockade in Cuba to ceetain
part of the island was not officially ex-
planned, but one plausible reason ad-
vanced for the governments action
was was that by refraining from es-
tablishing blockade over the eastern
portion of the island, understood to
be practically in the
Control of the Insurgents
the way has been left open for them
to freely receive all needed supplies
and munitions Of war.
A formal order was issued by the
war department increasing the equip
ment Of light batteries of artillery to
six guns, six caissons, one combined
forge and battery wagon and one hun
dred horses. The enforcement of this
order will require 900 additional horses
which the quartermaster's department
will purchase in Tennessee. For pur-
poses of transporting the army to
Cuba the quartermaster generals Of
flee has under consideration the Dues
ton of the charter of ships having the
carrying capacity of $4,000 men. No
charters have, however, been closed.
In the engineer and ordnance bu-
reaus work was being rushed with the
greatest possible speed toward the
completion of defense projects and in
the installation of big guns. All the
available material in the way of guns
and carriages is being utilized and the
officials express satisfaction at the re-
suits obtained in the short space of
time at their disposal.