Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1898-04-21

Special TO the Register
Washington, ID. c.. April 20.-War
may be said to have practically begun
at noon to-day
Forty minutes before that time. the
President signed the resolutions Of
Congress, ordering Spain from Cuba,
and even before that time he had
signed the ultimatum to the Spanish
government, declaring the import of
those resolutions and giving the Span
iards till Saturday to make satisfac-
tory reply.
The ultimatum was signed first, so
it could be sent TO Minister Wood
ford, and might be in Madrid at or
about the time the resolutions became
law in Washington, through the Pres
idents approval
The signing took place in the pres
ence of a few intimates of the Presi-
dent, including Senator Elbins, of
West Virginia, at the White House
There was no particular formality
observed, the name of the President
being attached to the document with
a pen fastened to q common rubber
holder, brought by Secretary Alger
from the War Department.
A copy of the ultimatum was at once
dispatched to the Spanish minister
for his information, the same having
already been transmitted to Minister
Woodford for presentation to the Span
ish government.
The ultimatum was sent to the Span
ish minister at the same time the an
nouncement was made to the Senate
and House that the President had
signed the joint resolutions.
In both houses, when the announce
ment was made, there was a loud cheer
and a feeling Of general satisfaction
that the matter was finally decided
AS soon as Minister Bernabe received
the attested copy of the ultimatum and
the announcement that the joint reso-
luton had been signed by the Presl-
dent. he returned to the Secretary OF
State by the Secretary'S messenger,
who had delivered the note, a request
for his passports.
Assistant Secretary Day made out
the passports at once they beng IN
special form. and announcing that
the minister and his family contem-
plated travelling abroad" and bespeak-
inc for them the ordinary courtesies.
The minister forthwith transferred
his effects. including the archives, ETC.,
10 the legation of Austria, and turned
over the business to the French min
lister The archives were placed with
the Austrian legation because it owns
IFS building, while France leases a
legation building
This evening at o'clock the Span
ish minister and all connected with
the legation left Washington. Their
route will not be made public through
a desire to avoid any annoyance or
nublic demonstration, but they will go
to Spain at once.
The Presidents ultimatum merely
gives till Saturday for the Spanish
governments reply, but names no
hour AS one Of the cabinet minis
tiers expressed it, the President does
not care to hold a stop watch on Spain
in such crisis, when that nations life
may be at stake. 1t is expected that
anv time before midnight saturday
will be acceptable for an answer.
The President having sent his ulti-
matum to Spain, the Spanish minister
having left Washington and the reality
of war being the next act III the great
drama. all interest now reverts to the
MANS of the government for prosecut-
ing the war.
AS army and navy officers contem-
plate the plans as outlined 10 them
thev smile at the unheard of character
of the campaign which they are to
make in Cuba. 1t is to be a case of
bullets, bayonets and bread-bullets
and bayonets for the Spaniards and
bread for the reconcentrados, and for
Spanish soldiers, too, if they will sur
render to get 1t.
This plan of making the relief Of the
destitute in Cuba an essential part Of
the armed Intervention the President
insists on and as matter of fact, it
ought to be an essential part OF the eX-
petition in order to make good the con-
tentions of this government.
Nevertheless the idea of taking pro-
vision ships under the convoy of our
hattleships when they move on Cuba.
and the prospect that our forces may
have to fight in order to distribute the
supplies TO the destitute behind the
Spanish lines, amazes and amuses
naval and army officers. They say it
will be an absolutely unique thing in
the history of the warfare of the world;
a spectacle that was never before wit