The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-04-27

WASHINGTON, April 26.-Condiuons
in Washington are rapidly settling down
10 those Of actual war. Notices came TO
the state Department from the four
quarters of tho globe to-day, showing
that the nations as a rule are prepared TO
assume AN attitude of strict neutrality as
between the United states and Spain in
the present struggle. In mos cases they
were in answer to the identical note sent
out yesterday by the state Department TO
AN United states embassies and legations
instructing them TO inform the govern
ments TO which they were accredited that
war has existed since April 2lst.
Great Britain always has taken an ad-
lanced stand iu the principles of neutral
ity so tht it was with great interest that
the news was received here Of theterms
of the neutral proclamation issued In
London ON the whole the officials are
disposed TO take the view that q strict
adherence by Great Britain 10 these
rules viii be rather more advantageous
90 the United states than 10 Spain par
ticuIarly as we are now operating in the
naval sense close TO our own base ot
supplies and in AN probability soon VIII
cut Spain off from the two bases that she
now has iu the neighborhood OF CUBA
RELEASE CAPTURED SHIPS.
The President issued proclamation
during the day laying down rules as TO
the seizure of prizes and tho result IL is
believed will Doe the release Of some OF
the shiDs alrady captured. though II VIII
De for the uTlze courts 10 determine III
each case whether the condlVohs uhuer
which the ship was captured are such
as 90 warrant release. An inpresslo" Ite-
walls that the Buena Ventura the hrst
on the list of prizes VIII be ueci"Ieo no ITO
r-ize. The case OF the Panama whose
.eiziire WAS reported to-day is a more
complirated one owing 10 the fact that
while otherwise exempt the snip was re-
,,ortcd 20 have contained supplies for the
Spanish army in Cuba whlch are con-
trsband. It is noted that the admins
triton has not been deferred by any Gi'-
icism in Congress from ae9lh loi s''sS ~
rledging itself 90 the nations or ihe
u,orId no refrain from prvateering ana
abide bv the declaration OF Paris on 1870
So fas. as is known all tho tnited
states c0nsuls have made their way sate-
ly out OF Spain Consul Fay, 81 Dahla'
has rcported 20 the Department from LIS
-, Consul Bowen al Barcelona from
s.-t, erd Consui Carroll at Cadiz. ana
Consul BaTtelame az Malaga from Nl'
Secretary Sherman retired finally to.
a.. f~or, the D0siuon OF Secretary OF
state and his successor was cohhIIheo III
ths person of Judge Day. John BasseW
Moore. will be confirmed to-mHio" III
rudpe DAYS place The latter Us 'N-
pected TO return TO Washington IN aDouI
two days time.
ARMY BILL LAW.
r,. army reorganization bill became
a,,.,re tho dav. and the War Depart
,,o,, officials have begun TO devise the
80. means OF carrying out the purpose
-, +ho act which viii result In an increase
49,. regular army 20 more than 6O,O0O
men. -, .-.,,,-,,ior,s
,,.out ON with ceasclcss energy TOT the
oreanization OF tho volunteer army All
,4,c officers were detailed VINO are 10 be
.ent TO the various States ana there 10
...',,.. the euavdsmen into the service OF
The United states. Ihe plans lor ,he
e,u oreaulzation of the army were also
perfected. .,...,,.
IA ,.oIunteers Secretary Alger ordered
,,. sesienment 20 duty Of an the cadets
~, ,be west Point military academy who
,,oi,ld in tho ordinary course OF events
have graduated in June.
,l,ho Greatest anxiety was shown az the
NV Department for news from the
tioctadiug squadron. Notwithstanding
,be freoucnt reports that come from the
,lnoGicial souces OF engagements between
.t,. ccet and shore batteries no word OF
ccn0ruation came officially. The two
prizes reported to-day TO have been Sc
cured bv tho feet we're not referred 10
q, The official dispatches. but the press
ronorts Of tho seizures were received with
me Greatest satisfaction by the officers Of
toe department who, IN some cases. did
not hesitate 10 declare their envy OF their
x,ore fortunste brother oficers with the
e. In fact II is becoming very hard
,or Secretary Long 10 retain IN the ser
Vice ~ the department the officers who
are absolutely required In view OF their
earnest desire 20 60 70 the front
WANTED A COMMAND
A few days ago. for instance. Commo-
aoys Bradford. chief Of the equipment