The daily morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven, Conn.) 1894-1907, 1898-04-27
PRIZES MAY BE RELEASED

UNITED STATES CONSULS ARE ALL
SAFE OUT OF SPAIN.
Secretary Sherman Finally Retires and
Judge Day is Confirmed as His Successor
-Ceaseless Energy at the War Depart
ment-Anxiety for News of the Block
aiding Squadron-Captain Mahan Or
dered Home.
Washington, April 26.-Conditions in
Washington are rapidly settling down
to those of actual war. Notices came
to the state department from the four
quarters of the globe to-day showing
that the nations as rule are prepared
to assume an attitude of strict neu-
trality as between the United States
and Spain in the present struggle. In
most cases they were in answer to the
identical note sent out yesterday by the
state department to all United States
embassies and legations instructing
them to inform the governments to
which they were accredited that war
has existed since April 81.
Great Britain's Neutrality.
Great Britain always has taken an
advanced stand in the principles of
neutrality, so that it was with great in
terest that the news was received as
to the terms of the neutrality procla-
nation issued in London. : On the
whole the officials are disposed to take
Nthe view that a strict adherence by
Great Britain to these rules will be
rather more advantageous to the
United States than to Spain, particu-
larly as we are now operating in the
naval sense close to our own base of
supplies and in all probability soon will
cut Spain off from the two bases that
she now has in the neighborhood of
Cuba.
Prizes May be Released.
The president issued a proclamation
during the day laying down resolves
as to the seizures of prizes and the re-
suit it is believed, will be the release
of some of the ships already captured,
though it will be for the prize courts
to determine in each case whether the
conditions under which the ship was
captured are such as to warrant re-
lease. The impression prevails that
the Buena Ventura, the first on the
list of prizes, will be declared no prize.
The case of the Panama, whose seiz-
ure was reported to-day, is more COM
plicated owing to the fact that while
otherwise exempt, the ship was report
ed to have contained supplies for the
Spanish army in Cuba, which are con-
traband. However, it may be said that
while the settlement of these questions
will be left to the courts, the adminis-
tration believes the greatest 1iberality
should be shown In the application of
the laws where a vessel is not contra
band or attempting to run the block
ade. That is shown in the liberal terms
of the proclamation itself by which the
prize courts must be guided 1t is
noted also that the administration has
not been deferred by any criticism in
congress from again pledging itself in
any way.
Consuls Safe Out of Spain.
So far as is known all the United
States consuls have made their way
safely out of Spain, Consul Fay at
Darrell has reported to the department
from Lisbon, Consul Bowen at BARGE
Iona from Paris, and Consul ScholI at
Cadiz and Consul Bartelman at Mala-
ga from Gibraltar. The department has
assured itself that the others are safe.
Sherman Finally Retires.
Secretary Sherman retired finally to-
day from the position of secretary of
state and his successor was confirmed
in the person of Judge Day. John
Bassett Moore undoubtedly will be con-
firmed tomorrow in Judge Days place.
The latter is expected to return to
Washington in about two days time.
The army reorganization bill became q
law during the day and the war depart
ment officials have begun to devise the
best means of carrying out the pur-
poses of the act, which will result in an
increase of the regular army to more
than sixty thousand men.
CeaseIess Energy in War Department.
In the war department preparations
went on with ceaseless energy for the
organization of the volunteer army
All the officers were detailed who are
to be sent to the various states and
territories to muster the guardsmen in
to the services of the United States
The plan for the full organization OF
the army were also perfected. To FRO
vide officers for the regular army and
volunteers, Secretary Alger ordered the
assignment to duty of all the cadets at
the West Point military academy who
would in the ordinary course of events
have graduated in June.
Anxiety at Navy Department.
The greatest anxiety was shown at
the navy department for news from