The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1898-04-20
AMERICAS NAVY READY

Washington, April 20. AT noon to-day
tho Presidents ultimatum to Spain may
DO sent to Congress. 1t demands that the
government Of Spain at once relinquish
Its authority and government In tho island
of Cuba and withdraw its land and naval
forces from Cuba and Cuban waters.
1t incorporates the resolution OF Con.
the information that Spain's reply Is ex-
pected before O'Clock Saturday morning.
Madrid time, and that In the absence Of
the favorable reply by that tine the Presi.
dent will be compelled, under the terms of
the resolution, to employ the land and
naval forces of the United States to enforce
compliance.
Owing to the difference in time between
Washington and Madrid, 1t will proba-
bly, BIO about o'clock this afternoon Mad.
rid time, when tho note is delivered to the
Spanish Government 1t will be eighteen
minutes past one Saturday morning,
Washington time, when the ul timatum
expires and when. unless the unexpected
should happen, and Spain should back
down, orders will be sent to Captain
Sampson to move upon Havana with the
Key West fleet.
The President Invited the members of
the While House at 10 o'clock this morn.
ng to heRr the note read as finally drafted
land to consider such details as may de-
mand attention. The Cortcs Is in session
to day 1t has the power TO grant Cuba in
dependence, but the administration con-
siders 1t foregone conclusion that there
will be no such concession made by the
representatives Of the Spanish people.
1t Is not unlikely that General Woodford
will receive his passports before midnight
to day. This would DO all the answer inc
United States would require, an action to
compel Spain to remove her forces from
the island Of Cuba should follow imme.
diatelv.
If, however Spain allows the timo given
to expire without making an answer,
Minister Woodford would withdraw from
Madrid, and the offensive campaign be
postponed unlll then, 1t is certain, how
ever, In the opinion OF the President and
Cabinet, that tho North Atlantic squadron
will be of Havana some time on Sunday
next. and perhaps before shutdown ON
Saturday.
1t is the intention of the President to
ask Congress for the authority to call for
$1,000 volunteers. The command of these
forces will be offered first to General Fitz-
h ugh Lee. II Theodore Roosevelt takes
field service, Rear-Admiral Walker, re.
tired, will probably succeed him as the
Secretary Of the Navy.
As the militia cannot be sent out Of the
country unless they are Incorporated In
the regular army as volunteers, 1t Ia evil
dent that little can be done In the way of
preparing for the invasion OF Cuba until
Congress passes the bill empowering the
President to call for volunteers, and until
he has time to organize volunteer army.
A MOTIF OF DEFIANCE FROM sAGAsTA.
Madrid, April 0-In an address to tho
supporters Of tho government In Parlla-
ment last night, Premier Sagasta said:
'Tho times are SO grave and the ciroum-
stances ore SO exceptional hat acts and not
words nre necessary to faco the presen
difficulty. Attempts are being made to
sully the glorious history Of Spain by an
Infamous calumny. The different Span
ish governments have done their utmost
to avert the war to which We arc being
provoked.
1--WE have now reached the limits of
concession compatible with honor and ter
ritorinl Integrity. We consented to the
last concession at the instance Of the Pope
and the powers. We yielded, in fact; but
now attempts are made upon ourhonor and
mcnaces dirco,ed against our territory.
"That Is u thing to which Spaniards
will never consent
'"This ls not the moment to t-Gce Par
liamentary program, but tho moment to
unite ourselves, as our fathers have before,
In the face Of an odiu9 attempt against tho
Integrity OF our territory Tho insult Of
fered Us today Is the most infamous that
has ever been offered"
Continuing, Ssuor SnCasta counselled
the rapid consideration of the Chamb ors, In
order tn afford tho means Ia defend the
country 5 integrity. He added: