Evening star., 1898-04-21
WAR DECLARED
Spain Gives Minister Wood
ford His Passports.
WILL LEAVE MADRID At ONCE
Special Cabinet Meeting Called by
the President.
GENERAL MILES CONSU LIED
Captain CrowninshieId Also Sum-
moned to the Conference.
GENERAL MILES CONSU LIED
AN OFFICIAL STATEMENT

The President this morning was
notified by Minister Woodford that
he had been given his passports be-
fore he had presented the ultimatum
of the United States.
This was considered a declaration
OF war, and the President summoned
leaders of both houses of Congress
for consultation at the White House
Later special cabinet meeting
was held, at which the situation was
fully discussed. Judge Day gave out
an official statement, including the
dispatches OF Secretary Sherman and
Minister Woodford.
Adjutant General Corbin has
been notified that every regiment or
dered to the south has started.
Secretary Alger Is replying to all
inquiries that the first call for troops
will be limited to the National Guard.
Army officers attach little import
ance to reports OF trouble at Key
West last night between a sergeant
of the colored 25th Infantry and a
policeman.
General Miles expects to leave in
a few days to inspect the points
chosen for the mobilization OF the
army.
Army headquarters will remain in
Washington unless unexpected Cir
camstanoes render a change neces-
sary.
The nomination of Charles Emory
Smith, to be Postmaster General,
vice Gary, resigned, was sent to the
Senate The Senate committee
agreed to report Mr.. Smiths nomina-
ton favorably.
The State Department was official
ly notified that the representative of
France and Austria would look af-
ter Spanish interests in this country.
The sundry civil bill was passed by
the Senate and the naval bill taken
up.
The Senate passed the resolution
introduced by Senator Hawley lay
ing an embargo on coal and other
war materials.
The Senate military affairs COM
mittee authorized favorable report
on the volunteer army bill passed by
the House yesterday, reducing time
OF enlistment to one year.
1t is now thought that the Presi-
dent will issue proclamation calling
for troops this afternoon or tonight.
General Miles and Captain Crown
inshield were sent for as soon as the
cabinet assembled and were frequent
ly consulted.
The fleets at Key West and at
Hampton Roads have both been or
dered to move, and Captain Sam
sons force has already started for
Cuba.
President Mckinley received a message a
few minutes after 10 o'clock this morning
from Minister Woodford announcing that
diplomatic relations had been broken of by
Spain and that he would leave Madrid in a
few hours The message had not been in
the hands of the President ten minutes be-
fore ii was In possession of The Star.
Instantly the President saw that the
trick which he had anticipated from Spain
had been attempted. but he and his friends
congratulated themselves that the trick
had been foiled. as was exclusively an
nouneed yesterday afternoon in The S,ar.
UnaccOuntable Delay.
The cable message from Minister Wood
ford did not announce that he had been
handed his passports before he had been
permitted to present the ultimatum of the
President. but this is believed to have been
done This was somewhat surprising, as
the President had made every effort to
get the ultimatum to General Woodford
oefore Sagasta was aware Of the signing
Of the congressional resolution and had
opportunity to hand the American minister
his passports General Woodford however