Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1898-04-28
The North Atlantic Squadron
Ordered to Blockade
Havana.
The United States Army to Go.
Operate with Insurgents
and Invade Cuba.
Minister Woodford Is Given His
Passports by the Spanish
Government.
Movement Of Our Ships and Troops to Be
Ksut secret from Now On to Prevent
the Enemy from Calming In.
formation.

the Enemy from Calming In
formation.
WASHINGTON, April 22..-The an.
nouncement that Minister Woodford
had been given his passports and was
on HIS way from Madrid to Paris was
the first item Of startling interest
given out at the state department yes
terday. 1t found the administration
prepared for the emergency. The
semi.oflicial announcement from the
Spanish capital that the presidents
ultimatum would be honored with no
further reply hastened action, and a.
a result of the deliberation Of the
cabinet the Key West feet, at four
o'clock yesterday afternoon, lifted
anchor and sailed for Cuba, for the
purpose Of blockading Havana har-
Dor. The flying squadron, under com.
mand Of Commodore Schley, has also
sailed under sealed instructions. Its
destination Is not known, but 1t Is sur.
missed that 1t will patrol the coast
Thus the first step toward actual hos.
tilities has been taken. The senate
promptly passed the volunteer house
bill. and In Its amended form II will
go back to the house. 1t Is expected
to reach the white house to-day. The
president will Immediately issue
his call for 100000 volunteers,
prepared several days ago. Eighty
Thousand men from the militia
forces Of the various states, fifty ap-
portioned, will be used to supplement
the regulars in an invasion Of Cuba in
cooperation with the insurgents and
20, 900 to man the coast defenses. II Is
understood that the Key West fleet,
under Sampson, will make no assault
on Havana Immediately, but blockade
that port against all communication
with the outside world. The first blow
will probably be struck by the land
forces. Cuba is expected TO pass from
the jurisdiction Of the Spanish flag in.
side OF two weeks. 1t Is estimated
that not more than ten days will be
required TO concentrate the troops ut
Key West, in readiness for transporta.
ton to the island. It was given out
last night that the first call will be for
volunteers from the states militia
wholly and none others will be &C.
cepted at present.
Nothing is known Of the movements
of the Spanish feet, but the report
that 1t had started on cruise to en-
gage the American navy Is discredited,
owing to the insurmountable difficult
ties Of crossing the Atlantic with q
torpedo Aotilla and limited supply Of
coal.
THE BLOCKADE OF HAVANA ORDERED.
WASHINGTON, April 90. War between
the United States and Spain is a fact
though not yet officially declared by
congress. The stirring events Of
Wednesday were succeeded yesterday
with rapidity by Others Of equal i'm
portance eliminating in the afternoon
in orders for the departure Of the
North Atlantic squadron for Havana
This practically is an act of war so
that the war between this country
and Spain may fairly be said to date
from yesterday, April 81, 1898. Two
minutes after the opening Of the state
department in tho morning came
word from Minister Woodford that the
Spanish government having antici-
pated and prevented his intention to
present the presidents ultimatum, he
had asked for his passports. The ad'
ministration in public statement an.
nounced that 1t regarded the action OF
the Spanish government as rendering
unnecessary further diplomatic action
on the part of the United States and fur.
thcr stated that it regarded the course
adopted by Spain as one placing upon
that country the responsibility for the
breach Of friendly relations. Mr..
Woodforls telegram resulted In
the calling Of special cabinet
meeting to arrange an outline OF q
plan Of campaign or rather to deter
mine how to begin the execution OF
the plan Of campaign already prepared
BY the strategic boards Of the army
and navy departments The immedi'
ate result was the order for the North
Atlantic squadron to begin the block
ade OF Havana. How much further
than this the cabinet progressed in its
deliberations, it is not possible TO say
for the obvious reason that the time
has now come when the interests Of
the government require that the move
ments Of ships and troops should b
guarded with the greatest care from
undue publicity in order TO prevent
the enemy from taking advantage Of
information.