The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1898-04-28

Austria, neither OF which have yet act
ed. The delay OF Austria does not cause
surprise MS Austria's sympathy with
Spain Is more pronounced than that of
any Other country Of Europe. It Is not
doubted, however, that Austria will as
sumo @ neutral attitude sooner or later.
The delay OF Germany is felt to be due
solely to Germany's consulting her own
commercial interests before shaping the
exact terms OF her neutrality proclama-
ton. From the first Germany and Great
Britain have opposed the right Of search
as detrimental to commerce. Thus far
Spain has announced a much more radi-
cal doctrine than the United States on
this matter. The Spanish order PUBLISH
ed In the official gazette last Monday an
nounces the purpose OF exercising the
right of search OF all merchant ships on
the high sens. The Presidents procla-
nation OF yesterday qualified the right
of search by saying that 1t "is exercised
with strict regard to the right OF neu-
trails and the voyages OF mall steamers
are not TO be interfered with except on
the clearest ground Of suspicion. etc"
It is understood that this matter Of
right Of search Is causing the hesitation
on the part OF Germany and that II 1t Is
satisfactorily established that German
merchant ships shall not be subject to
embarrassment, Germany will adopt the
same course as other nations. The ac-
tlon already taken by four OF the six
great powers shows there will be no
concert Of interference.
Portucars Attitude.
The attitude OF Portugal is felt to be
more important Just at present than
that of any of the great powers Of Eu-
rope, owing to the presence OF the Span
ish fleet at the Cape Verde Islands be-
longing to Portugal. Neither the stnte
ter at Washington, Viscount de Santo-
Thyrso. had received word up to to-
night, as to the purpose OF Portugal on
the question OF neutrality This caused
considerable apprehension In official cir
cles here as 1t was felt that Portugars
vicinage to, Spain might induce her to
withhold neutrality for the present. She
owns the Cape Verde group, the Azors
and the Madciras, which would give the
sSpanisirfeet three very important bases
of operation. Late In the. day press dis
patches from Lisbon saying that the cabl-
net council would declare neutrality to-
morrow relieved this apprehension con-
slderably. The effect OF the decree will
be to compel the Spanish fleet at Cape
Verde to leave Immediately. 1t is felt,
however. that Portugal has done her
neighbor good turn in deferring the
proclamation until tomorrow as the
Spanish fleet has been laying In stores
and coal for several days past and
doubtless will be fully equipped and
ready to sail before the neutrality pro-
clamatIon forces them out OF Portuguese
waters. =
Colombia Comes to Time. TiN
Colombia is the only South or Central
American republic which has thus far
declared neutrality. Spain has counted
much on the cooperation OF Spanish
American countries, but there Is no rea-
son to doubt that all Of them will adopt
q neutral position.
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 q decisive reverse. This Is said
to be surely conjectnral as no such move
has taken form thus far by the exchange
OF notes. 1t Is accepted as settled that
no more ships intended for the American
navy can leave the ports OF those coun-
tries which have declared their neutrali-
ty. This result Is most serious in the
case OF the cruiser Albany now at the
Armstrong yards, Elswlth, England.
The view among diplomatic officials Is
that neither the Albany nor the torpedo
boat Somers can leave, although the
United States flag was raised over them
before the proclamation Of neutrality
was issued. It Is said the raising OF the
flag canno. avoid the manifest uses Of
the ship for war purposes.