The sun. (Wilmington, Del.) 1897-19??, 1898-04-22
war IS NOW
UPON AMERICA
Admiral Sampson Ordered to
Fire on Spanish War
Vessels.
FLEET BIOCKADES CUBA
Spanish Squadron Rushing to
Cuban Waters to Meet Our
War,hips.
Army Bill 10 BE Signed To-day.
American Troops to BE Landed
in Cuba and Capture
Havana---General Gra-
ham at Key West.
--latest Develops
ments of the
War Situa-
tiOn.
Smcial Dispattlles to THE Sun,

Special Dispatches to THE SuN,
WASHINGTON, April 2l.-Rear Admiral
Sampson has been instructed to capture
or destroy every Spanish ship in Cuban
waters, and when that has been ac'
complished to begin the blockade OF tie
Cuban Ports.
Spain has tifty-cight ships in Cuban
and Porto Rican waters and there is nc
doubt that the North Atlantic fleet will
be able to dispose OF them.
= WASHINGTON, April %, a. m..-War is in
progress. Captain SIMPSONS fleet has
by this time arrived off the Harbor OF
Havana. His instructions are to block.
ade the Harbors of Cuba. The President
will formally and officially declare the
blockade OF the Cuban ports in procla'
nation to be issued this morning.
The circumstances under which the
first gun will be fired will depend upon
events. Spain, has swarm OF small
cruisers, torpedo boats and extemporlzed
gunboats around the coast of Cuba,
which were employed as a tiibustel
patrol. Captain SIMPSONS orders direc;
him to take every precaution for the
safety Of his feet.
The presence of these small Spanish
vessels will be d constant menace to the
safety of the blockading vessels, and his
efforts will be directed to their capture
or destruction. Any one OF them that
attempts to leave Cuban harbor or that
makes any demonstration against one OF
the blockading vessels, will be fired
upon.
Tnare may not be an immediate bonn
bardnirnt OF the shore batteries at HAY
ana or the other Cuban fortified ports.
This will depend largely upon the offic-
ers in command of these forts.
Should the shore batteries and the
Spansl, naval forces at Havana assume
the offensive tomorrow morning, Cap
tain Sampson will at once silence the
Notifications and will destroy or capture
the enemy's vessels.
MADRID April 81. Censored dispatch
1t is stated officially that Spain regards
the American nltimatum as declara-
ton of war The government has or,
dered the Spanish fleet to proceed from
Cape Verde to the American coast to
meet and yanquish the American fleets:
The Spanish authorities have placed
their possessions in u state OF defence,
and are ready to battle for their rights.
WASHINGTON, April 21.-Orders in
cipher have been sent to Captain Samp-
son, commanding the fleet at Key West,
and to Commodore Schley, commanding
the flying squadron.
It is reported that Commodore Sch!ey
is to put to sea. perhaps tonight, to meet
the Spanish Hotila. and failing in that is
to lombard Porto Rico.
The Key West fleet is to attack Havana
The Senate unanimously passed the bill
authorizing he President to call for
volunteers.
Washington--C --Chickamagua Park will
be the headquarters Of the army, as it
has been decided that offers OF the best
facilities for the mobilization of troops.
The volunteer army will also be sent to
Chickmauga, and from this point 1t will
be possible to quickly transport the
soldiers to the ports whence they will be
sent directly to Cuba.
All available troops are to be massed at
Chickmauga, and this order will have
the effect OF adding the Sixteenth Infan-
try to the cavalry and light artillery
troops already concentrated there.
n KEY WEST, April 2l.-General Graham
&arrived here at $50 O'Clock p. IN. coming
fuuite unexpectedly. A military bann
8and detachment from the garrison re-
&ceived him. The steamer on which he
,lcame brought 100000 tons OF ammunition
army supplies.
IN WAsulyGroy. April 2l.-'rhe Senate
mended the Army bill making provis-
Dns for bodies Of troops with special
Qualifications and making term OF en-
stment for the National Guard one year
Instead OF two.
The Senate confirmed the nomination
Charles Emory Smith to be Post.
(aster General, vice James A. Gary, re-
kned. Mr.. Smith will take the oath OF
ice tomorrow morning.
Senator Walthall of Mississippi died,
\ toriQht and the Senate will adjourn to-
Il morrow in respect of his memory.
~ II the House accepts the Senate amend
ments to the Army bill, it will be signed