The herald., 1898-04-09
AN OMINOUS CALMNESS
PREVAILS AT THE SPANISH
CAPITAL
WITHDRAWAL OF !WooDFoRD
Will Not Occur Until the Presidents
Message Has Been Presented
= Congress
Associated Press Special Wire

oAboOCldtcu 1Tc5S 0peCIdl wire
MADRID, April 8, Morning.-A much
calmer feeling prevails here today, re-
necting the newspaper utterances and
various published versions of the Cabinet
meeting of last evening.
The statement published in London to
the effect that the United States Minister,
General Woodford, is to leave Madrid on
Sunday is untrue. General Woodford to-
day reiterated his statement that he would
not leave until directed to apply for his
passports or until they were handed to
him. The Minister stated that he had no
intimation of his government fixing a
date for his leaving Madrid, and 1t might
be taken as a fact that no date would be
fixed upon until after President McKin-
ley's message had been sent to Congress,
as to leave the Spanish capital before that
would prejudice the whole case The
Ministers at yesterdays Cabinet council
considered General Woodford's Withdraw
Al note, the collective action Of the pow
srs. the warlike preparations, and. 1t is
alleged, something else, which has not yet
transpired.
The greatest curiosity Is felt regarding
this unknown subject but rigid silence is
maintained regarding it. 1t is supposed
not to concern another note from General
Woodford His communications yester-
day were limited to his withdrawal note.
1t II also said the unknown subject of
deliberation was not a Spanish note to the
United States as 1T Is claimed Spain is
neither sending nor intending to send one.
Finally it is asserted that it was not the
collective action of the powers which
formed the subject for deliberation.
Spain, at present being. according to the
official points Of view, a spectator and not
an agent in the negotiations. 1t Is inti-
mated that the secret matter refers to
something officially formulated by the
Pope.
The Imparcial thinks the delay in the
presentation of President McKinley's mes
sage Is good sign. but adds:
Nobody Is under any illusions respect
Ing the American policy. If peaceful pros
poets predominate they do so for reasons
beyond Yankee CONTROL
The Imparcial also says it considers the
action of the powers in offering their
good offices as being favorable to Spain.
NAVAL PREPARATIONS
NEW YORK, April S.-A dispatch to the
World from Cadiz, Spain. says:
The report that the squadron of evolu-
tion and the second fiotilla are about to sail
for Cuba or Porto Rico Is absolutely false
Positive orders have been sent to the
Cape Verde islands for the torpedo squad
ron to stay there. 1t was contemplated to
send the squadron Of Admiral Cerveras to
Join 1t. On the contrary Villamirs squad
ron is expected to return here.
Neither of the squadrons gathering here
is anything like ready for sea- Neither is
assembled yet, and no orders have been re-
ceivcd from the Marine Minister to move
either squadron. The only instructions
which really have been given to Admiral
Churruc, commanding at Cadiz, are to
push preparations as fast as possible. In
consequence Of the orders, Cadiz Bay,
with the neighboring royal arsenal Of San
Fernando and the yards belonging to the
Transatlantic Company present scenes of
great activity. Admiral Carveras' fleet is
anchored here taking in stores and pro-
visions. 1t consists now Of the fast cruiser
Alfonso XII, Infanta Maria, Teresa and
Cristobal Colon, two second-class cruisers,
four torpedo boats and two destroyers,
fresh from England.
Reliable official information states that
the government expects the arrival here of
the battleships Belayo, Cardinal Cisneros.
Emperor Charles V, two destroyers from
England and the torpedo cruiser Maria de
Molina.
The above vessels are not far advanced in
their preparations, but those which have
been in foreign yards have been withdrawn
hurriedly for fear war would begin before
their repairs or outfits be completed. The
required work can be done in Spain with
the assistance Of foreign arms and foreign
workmen brought down at great expense.
The Minister of Marine has had no diff
Guilty in getting men and officers without
calling on the arsenal reserves, as thou
sands Of sailors and officers ashore volun-
teered in addition to the men returning
from the Philippine islands and in the mer-
chant service. Several large transatlantic
steamers of the Marquis Comillas line are
rapidly fitting with rapid-firing guns
Maxim -Nordenfeldts and crews. They will
be commanded by royal naval officials
A dispatch to the World from st. Vincent,
Cape Verde islands, says: The Spanish
torpedo fiotilla. in command of Commander
Villamil. Is still here ready to put to sea,
but awaiting orders from Madrid.
THE DISABLED TORPEDO
NEW YORK, April S.-A dispatch to the
World from Queenstown, ireland, says:
A large body of workmen has been
brought down from the Clyde to assist in
repairing and fitting the damaged Spanish
torpedo boat Audaz for sea- The men are
working day and night. as she cannot
leave II war is declared. The customs off,
GERS have been instructed from the admir-
atty office in London to take possession of
her Immediately in case of war.
THE DOLPHIN's ENGINES
NEW YORK, April 8.--Mechanics and
laborers to the number of 22O0 are hard at
work In the shops on the vessels and at
the big dry dock in the navy yard here
today. 1t is stated that the Mayflower
will be ready to sail Monday
The Dolphin's engines are out of order
and corps of experts under the direction
of Chief Engineer Windrow has ex-
,perienced considerable difficulty in ad-
justing them. This vessel. which was
thought to be ready to sail a week ago.
had large cargo Of ammunition aboard
for the fleet, but more than half Of 1t had
to be taken out and sent to Key West BY
special train yesterday. 1t is not unlikely
that the remainder Of the ammunition will
be taken out tomorrow and sent by train
on Monday to the southern station.
Captain William L. Folger, who has
charge of the light house station at Staten
Island. has received orders from Rear
Admiral Bunce to assume the command of
the new warship New Orleans as soon as
that vessel arrives at this port. The
New Orleans and San Francisco are ex-
pected here today or tomorrow.
A GUNBOAT READY