The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1898-04-23
WAR IS WANTED
STATE DEPARTMENT ANXIOUS
TO HAVE DECLARATION
That 1t Is Necessary to Make Eff
fective the Neutrality Laws Of
Foreign NatfOns-ReasOns for
the Presidents Opposition to Pri.
Watering Policy.

By Associated Press.
WASHINGTON, April 22-The state
department is now considering the adj
visibility of requesting congress to
declare war. While there is no absolute
necessity for an immediate declaration
there are. several reasons why the
adoption of such a course would prove
advantageous. Strong pressure is be-
ing brought to bear upon the state de-
partment to induce it to make a prop
er recommendation to congress to serve
as a basis Of action.
1t is held that until a formal declara-
ton Is issued we cannot set in motion
the neutrality laws Of foreign countries
and in fact, would be practically in the
position that Spain occupied toward
Cuba-denying that war existed in
spite of the actual fact.
There is another reason of material
Importance just now that may in
fluence action. That is that the army
and navy may be prevented from call
ing for the services of retired officers
owing to the fact that in some cases
the statutes provide that this may be
done only upon "a declaration of war;"
This is notable in the medical corps of
the army, which Is likely to be under
the immediate necessity for calling for
a number Of retired officers of that
branch Of the service.
In the navy also it Is extremely de-
sirable that the secretary has the power
to avail himself of the services of re-
tired officers to replace on the navy
yards and stations the younger officers
who are needed afloat.
The state department has relinquish-
ed its connection with the Cuban ques-
ton which has practically passed into
the hands of the army and the navy.
OF course all direct connection with.
Spain has now ceased but the depart
ment still performs a number Of formal
acts required by international law,
mainly in the direction of notifying the
foreign powers of the conditions under
which the United States will conduct
the war with Spain. These will include
notice in full form to all the powers
Of the intention Of the United States
to refrain from privateering; to respect
the goods of neutrals in Spanish bot
toms and Spanish goods not contra
band, in neutral bottoms.
Privateering Policy.
Respecting the purpose Of the presi-
dent to refrain from privateering,
which formed the subject of some crit
icism in the senate yesterday, at the
hands Of Mr.. Money, it can be stated
that the declaration already published
was an expression Of the presidents
The controlling of privateering, I'M
der the constitution, is left with con-
gress, but 1T is believed that there will
be no difficulty in inducing the house
and senate to adopt the views of the
executive. In addition to the considera-
ton Of international policy involved
there are selfish ends to be conserved
by such stand as that announced by
the administration. If the United States
should embark upon a policy of priv
altering Spain would undoubtedly fol-
low suit. The United States navy is
capable of protecting American foreign
commerce against the ships of the
Spanish navy operating long distance
from their base, but 1t would be a
heruclean task to undertake to protect
5000 miles of coast line against the
havoc of the privateers who might
swarm under the Spanish flag
Every European port shelters craft
owned by venturesome pirates who
would not hesitate for a moment to
take their chances as privateers and
ask for letters Of marque.
Without regard to their sympathies
in the cause, 1t Is not doubted that the
majority Of these would prefer to take
out Spanish commissions as the COM
merce of the United States would afford
richer picking for privateers than the
meager Spanish commerce.
No secret is made Of the conviction
that Spain will either willingly or by
compulsion follow our course in refrain
ing from privateering. In fact it is