The record-union., 1898-04-22
WAR WITH
Spain NOW
4 FACT.
So. Considered by the
Administration.
Atlantic Squadron Ordered to
Blockade Havana.
The Fleet Will Probably Enter Cuban
Waters Sometime To-Day.
All Arrangements Made for a Call for One
Hundred Thousand Volunteers S-PlanS
Perfected for Coast Patrol by
State Authorities.

WASHINGTON, April 21.-War be-
tween the United States and Spain is
fact, though not officially declared SO by
Congress.
The stirring events of yesterday
were succeeded to-day with rapidity by
others of equal Importance, culminat-
ing in the afternoon in orders for the
departure of the North Atlantic squad
ron 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 to-day, April p, 1898.
Two minutes after the opening of the
State Department this morning came
word from Minister Woodford that the
Spanish Government having anticipat-
ed and prevented his intentions to pre-
sent the Presidents ultimatum, he had
asked for his passports. The Admins
tration in public statement announced
that it regarded the action of the Span
ish Government as rendering unneces-
sary further diplomatic action on the
stated that it regarded the course
adopted by Spain as one placing upon
that country the responsibility for the
breach of friendly relations.
Mr. Woodfords telegram resulted in
tFe calling OF a special Cabinet meet
ing to arrange an outline for a plan of
campaign, or rather to determine how
to begin the execution of the plan of
campaign already prepared by the
strategic boards of the Army and Navy
Departments. The result was the i'm
mediate order for the Atlantic squad
ron to begin the blockade of Havana.
How much further than this the Cabi-
net progressed in it's deliberations it is
not possible to say, for the obvious rea-
son 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, in order to
prevent the enemy from taking advant-
age of information.
The North Atlantic squadron, under
Captain Simpsons command, is a
splendid array of fine vessels, and this
force is quite competent to blockade
all the ports in Cuba, or at least all of
the ports connecting by rail with Ha-
vana, and so likely to be used to supply
that place in the event of siege with
food and munitions of war This state
h. -, ,Iov.
standing that it does not contemplate
the coming to Cuban waters of the
Spanish fleet. In such case, however,
the probable policy will be to abandon
the blockade. and endeavor to force the
Spanish fleet to battle.
Minister Woodford's action during
the day, as reported to the State De-
partment in late telegram, indicated
that he was following a carefully pre-
pared programme. A significant feature
of his message was the statement that
the Spanish Government notified him
that it regarded its withdrawal of Min
lister Polo yesterday as terminating dip
lomatic negotiations, showing that it
pressed intention of our Government to
continue Mr. Woodford as a medium
of communication until Saturday noon.
Mr.. Woodford also announced that he
had instructed Consul-General Bowen,
at Barcelona. to cause all the American
Consuls in Spain to Immediately with
draw from the country. He further
stated that he had informed the Span
ish Government, after asking for his
passports, that he had placed the
American Legation in Madrid and
American interests in the hands of the
British Embassy. The Embassador,
Right Hon. Sir H. Frye
Wolff, is not at present in Madrid, so
American interests will be confided to
the British Charge d'Afaires, Sir
George G. F. Bonham, Bart. To all in
tents and purposes this relieves the
State Department from further nego-
tiations as to Cuba. save those relating
to privateering, neutrality observances
and the like.
1t was found necessary to frame no.
tice to the Powers of the intention OF
our Government to establish block
ade of Havana, a notification required
by international law.
The Navy Department to-day. aside
from giving the orders to the squad
ron, continued the work of adding to
the navy, and purchased another ship