The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-04-27
All Our ConsuIs Safely Out Of
Spain.
SEA DOGS ARE SQUIRMING.
Naval officers on Shore Want Some
Of the Prize Money.


Washington are rapidly settling down to
those of actual war.
Notices came to the state department
from the four quarters of the globe to-day
showing that the nations are, as a rule,
prepared to assume an attitude of strict
neutrality as between the United States
and Spain in the present struggle. In most
cases they were in answer to the identical
note sent out yesterday by the state de-
partment to all United States embassies
and legations instructing them to inform
the governments to which they were ac-
credited that war has existed since April
81.
Great Britain always has taken an ad-
vanced stand in the principles of neutral-
ity, so that it was with great interest that
the news was received here of the terms
of the neutrality proclamation issued in
London.
On the whole. the officials are disposed
10 take the view that strict adherence
by Great Britain to these rules will be
rather more advantageous to the United
States than to Spain, particularly as we
are now operating in the naval sense close
to our own base of supplies, and in all
probability soon will cut Spain off from
the two bases that she now has in the
neighborhood of Cuba.
The President issued a proclamation
during the day laying down rules as to
the seizure of prizes and the result, it is
believed, will be the release of some of
the ships already captused, though it will
be for the prize courts to determine in
each case whether the conditions under
which the ship was captured are such as
TO warrant release. The impression pre-
walls that the Buena Ventura, the first on
the list Of prizes, will be declared no prize.
The case of the Panama, whose seizure
was reported to-day, is more complicated
one, owing to the fact that while other
wise exempt the ship was reported to
have supplies for the Spanish army in
Cuba, which are contraband.
1t is noted that the administration has
not been deferred by any criticism in Con-
gress from again formally pledging itself
TO the nations of the world to refarin
from privateering and abide by the declar-
alton Of Paris of 1856
So far as is known all the United States
consuls have made their way safely out
Of Spain. Consul Fay at DANA, has re-
ported to the department. from Lisbon;
Consul Bowen at Barcelona, from Paris,
and Consul Carroll at Cadiz and Consul
Bartelam at Malaga, from Gibraltar. The
department has assured itself that the
others are safe.
Secretary Sherman retired finally to-day
from the position of Secretary of State
aud his successor was confirmed in the
person of Judge Day Prof. Bassett Moore
VIII be confirmed tomorrow in Judge
Days place. The latter Is expected to re-
tarn to Washington in about two days
time.
The army reorganization bill became a
Ia" during the day, and the war depart
ment officials have begun to devise the
oest means of carrying out the purposes
ot The act, which will result In an increase
OF the regular army TO more than 5000
men.
10 the war department preparations went
va win ceaseleSs energy for the organizd-
ugn Of the volunteer army. All of the
olHcers were detailed who are to be sent
10 The various states, there to muster in
'e state volunteers.
4he plans of the fun organization of the
army were also perfected. To provide off,
GERS Tor the regular army and volunteers
1CIetary Alger ordered the assignment to
10y OF all the cadets at the West Point
ANtaIy academy who would In the ordi-
June
ne Greatest anxiety was shown at the
- department. for news from the block
"s squad. Notwithstanding the fire.
mt reports that come from two unohi-
sources OF engagements between the
ana the shore batteries, no word Of
'rmatlon came officially
ne laree prizes reported to-day 20 have
seized by the feet were not referred
~ 'he official dispatches. but the press
l'H of the seizures we're received with
sIeatest Satisfaction by the officers OF
Nepartment. who. N some cases, did
NerNate 10 declare their envy Of their
ioFtunata brother officers with the
IN fact, Il Is becomlng very hard
'feiary Long 10 retain in lbe ser-
:" me department the Officers who
90 NnF0luifly rsaiffraI ln afi1u ~ fh0lf