Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1898-04-22

The Movement of the Spanish
Fleet Causes Some Alarm Lest 1t
CAPTURE the Oregon-War and
Naval Movements Kept Secret.
Washington, April 21.-War between
.1a tinted States and Spain is fact,
.rbousb not officially declared so by
Congress.
The stirring events of yesterday
wore succeeded with rapidity by others
of equal importance. eliminating in
The afternoon in orders for the de-
u3rture Of the North Atlantic squadron
for Havana
Tits practically is an act of war, so
That the war between this country and
spain may fairly be said to date from
today. April 81, 1898.
Two minutes after the opening OF
tbe State Department this morning
came word from Minister Woodford
hat the Spanish government, having
anricipated and prevented his inten-
ZION to present the Presidents ultima
tum he had asked for his papers.
The administration in public state
ment announced that it regarded the
action of the Spanish government as
rendering unnecessary further diplo-
matte action on the part of the United
States and further stated that it re-
garded the course adopted by Spain as
one placing upon that country the re-
.ponsibility for the breach of friendly
relations.
Mr.. Woodford's telegram resulted in
the calling of a special cabinet meeting
to arrange an outline of a plan of cam
paien or rather ia determine how to
Begin the execution of the plan of
campaign already prepared by the
strategic boards of the Army and Navy
Departments. The immediate result
was the order for the North Atlantic
squadron to begin the blockade OF
Havana How much further than this
The cabinet progressed in its delibera-
tons it is not possible to say, for the
reason that the time has now come
when the interests Of the government
require that the movements OF ships
and troops should be guarded with
the greatest care
FROM UNDUE PUBLICITY,
order to prevent the enemy from TAX
Ing advantage Of the situation.
The North Atlantic squadron, under
Captain SIMPSONS command, has a
splendid array Of fine vessels, com
prising battleships such as the In
diana and Iowa: monitors like the
Puritan. Terror and Amphitrite; arm
ored cruisers like the New York, flag
ship. protected cruisers, such as the
Cincinnati. Marblehead and Montgom-
cry: gunboats like the Vicksburg Will
mington and Annapolis; regular tor
pedo boats, as the Ericsson Gushing,
Winsow and the like, and not to
speak of the large number of fast
Yachts and other vessels that have been
added to the fleet by purchase. This
Jolce is quite competent to blockade all
the ports in Cuba. or at least all the
3orts connecting by rail with Havana,
and so likely to be used TO supply
that place in the event of siege with
-0od and munitions of war. This
statement is to be taken with the UNI
derstanding that ii does not contem-
plate the coming to Cuban waters OF
the Spanish fleet. In such case. how
YER the probable policy would be to
abandon the blockade and endeavor
70 force the Spanish fleet to battle.
Minister Woodfords action during
Che day was reported to the State De-
partment in a late telegram. indicated
'hat he was following a carefully
prepared programme A significant
feature of his message was the state
''e tlidl lHt GtldtiISu SVNti hiilNhN
bottled him that it regarded its with
WdNel Of its minister, Senior Polo. yes
ut'day at Washington, as terminating
DIPLOMATIC NEGOTIATIONS,
showing that it was not disposed to
accept The expressed intention OF our
government to continue Mr.. Woodford
Is @ medium of communication until
saturday noon.
A Woodford also announced that
mad instructed Consul General Bow
vi az barcelona TO cause all the Amer
"'u consuls in Spain to Immediately
N1QraW from the country He fur
'. stated that he had informed the
'"l'SA government after asking for
' passports that he had placed the
can legation i'll Madrid and Amer
Us" interests in Spain generally in the
'"4s of the British embassy. The am
'9'uof r. Hon. Sir Henry Drum
-',"u Wolff is not at present N Mad
SD American interests Will be con-
% he British Charge, Sir George
Bonham Bart. To all intents
purposes this relieves the State
F'fment from further negotiations
Cuba. save those relating to pri-
'ftflng neutralitv ohcervarcec and