The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1898-04-23
TEE HAVANA BLOCKADE
Will Be Accepted as Binding BY the
Foreign Powers.
SPANS FLEET AT CAPE VERDE.
Military Attaohe OF Foreign Lega-
ton Points Out the Danger to Which
the spaniards WIN Be Subjected II
They Attempt to Reach This Country

ton Points Out the Danger to Which
the spaniards WIN Be Subjected II
They Attempt to Reach This Country
Washington, April 23.-Nothing has
yet been received by the government
indicating that the Spanish fleet has
left Cape Verde Islands. What may be
the purpose of the Spanish govern
ment as to the disposition of this fleet
is not known, but the belief among
high officials Is that the Spaniards will
hesitate before sending the pick Of
their navy into American or even Gu
ban waters. 1t must be realized, it is
said, that, cut off from coal supply,
they would be at great disadvantage,
and would run very great risk of total
humiliation. Nor is 1t believed that
Captain General Blanco will be in a
hurry to precipitate conflict, and
therefore 1t is not expected that Cap
tain SIMPSONS fleet will have very
much to do during the next few days
but to prevent supplies from entering
Havana. Nevertheless, it is believed
that hostlities will not be delayed
longer than is necessary to get our
army within supporting distance.
When that is accomplished our navy
will not delay an hour but will i'm
mediately attack the fortihcations
around Havana.
Members Of the diplomatic corps say
that no question can be raised as to
the right of the United States to de-
clare blockade. This being conceded,
foreign powers will accept 1t as bind
ing. Speaking of the blockade, the mil
itary attache of one of the leading for
eign establishments here said:
The limited extent of the blockade
is doubtless due to the necessity of
making the blockade effective. Unless
effective, a blockade is not binding, and
with the extended sea coast surround
ing Cuba it would be very difficult, if
not impossible. to maintain an effective
blockade of the entire island. The
blockade will have the effect of stop
ping all commerce, even in neutral
ships, to and from the ports covered
by the presidents proclamation. But
at the same time it should be under
stood that ne,'tral ship may take her
own chances Of running the blockade.
In that case Shs acts at her peril, and |
she can, under no circumstances. ex-
pect indemnity from either of the bel !
ligerent powers"
This military aide. who Is a recog- |
niZed authority on war strategy, also |
pointed out the two strategic moves !
open to the Spanish navy. one or the
other of which, he believed, would be
adopted. He Said;
1.-THE first, ana' probably the best, |
strategic move by Spain would be to
and hold their fleet at the
Cape de Verde Islands and the Canar-
les, and wait until the American feet /
came on them. They would then have
the advantage of position base of sup
plies and ample coal. 1t would be
waiting game, but it would promise
much better results than seeking a de-
cisiye naval engagement far away from
the base of supplies and from coal. The
only serious difficulty would be that it
would necessitate the abandonment Of |
Cuba and Porto Rico. Whether the
spaniards are willing to make so great
1 sacrifice as strategic move for ul-
seen. If not, then the Spanish navy
NuSt CIDUst lHt OlIltl IIiOfc /
# making a dash to this sid and risk
ng everything on the chance of a de-
,isivc victory at the outset. 1t would
De desperate move, but if successfully
executed it would prove of inestmable
value, not only in its material results,
including the defense of Cuba and Porto
Rico, but also the sentimental nflu-
noes of encouragement inspiring en-
husiasm. But it would be most
hazardous move, as the Spanish ships
would have the Atlantic between them
nd the home ports, with little or no
nance of replenishing their coal sup
lies"
The foreign representatives are be-
inning to feel much uneasiness over
he situation of foreign subjects re-
idirg at Havana and other ports COW
red by the blockade. So long as the
blockade is peaceful the foreign resi-
ents are not likely to suffer. But in
ase of a bombardment the foreign
cement might be put in jeopardy along
With the native population, unless
mple time were given to foreigners
0 withdraw. There is no doubt this
overnment would give ample time for
Jreigners to withdraw. and in case of
on-combatants Il is usual to give at
asst "a hours notice of a lombard
rent, but there might be serious diff
Guilty in the way Of such notice in
lse the Spanish forts open fire on
merican ships, as 1t is hardly ex-
pcted that the ships would remain
ndar fire for "a hours without return
Is the fire.