The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1898-04-22
A STATE OF WAR EXISTS
WOODF0RD INCIDENT HELD TO
BE AN OVERT ACT


Taken the Initiative, and There
Is No Occasion for Further DipIo-
matic DeIay-Preparing q Note
to the Powers.
By Associated Press.
WASHINGTON, April 81. = In the
opinion Of the state department. a
state OF war now exists between Spain
and the United States. Moreover. this,
IN Its view, has been brought about
by the action Of the Spanish govern
ment, which, in notifying Mr.. Wood
ford that 1t had broken diplomatic re-
lations. thereby took the initiative. It
Is presumed that, by this time, the
various United States consuls in
Spain, who have so far, without ex-
ception, stuck Loyalty at their posts,
are now making their way as rapidly
as possible across the frontier into
France
There were an unusual number of
diplomatic callers at the state depart
ment this morning, the list including
the three ambassadors from France,
Germany and Italy, and the ministers
from Denmark. Belgium and Japan.
1t Is believed that the object of the
French ambassadors call was to mott
fly Judge Day formally that, at the re-
quest OF the retiring Spanish minister,
the French embassy, with the permits
sion of the United States government,
would look after the interests Of Spain
In the United States. The other diplo-
matte callers were all interested in
learning the latest Developments They
We're informed also as to the decision
OF this government upon the questions
or neutrality and privateering
while Spain Is not a party to the
Paris agreement prohibiting privateer-
Ing. 1t Is not doubted that, in view
OF the announced decision of our gov
eminent to refrain from the issue~of
letters Of marque, that the Spanish
government will adopt a similar course.
At any rate, 1t can be easily asserted
that the powers Of Europe, almost as
deeply interested as ourselves in main
tanning their commerce free from the
annoyances Of privateering, will insist
| that the practice shall not be adopted
by Spain in this case.
Diplomatically it is probably true
that the United States ultimatum has
never officially reached the Spanish
government, for the copy of the ulti-
matum delivered yesterday to the
Spanish minister at Washington can
scarcely be regarded in a technical
sense as a formal communication, but
rather as merely piece Of informa-
ton, communicated through courtesy.
1t is not perceived, however, that
any substantial advantage has been
reached by the Spanish government
In preventing the formal delivery of
the ultimatum through Minister Wood
ford, although it may be that they
technically escaped what they regard
as an attempted insult to the Spanish
nation.
Assistant Secretary Day was closeted
FOR some time in the forenoon with
Second Assistant Secretary Adee, and
1T Is believed there is in preparation a
communication to United States minis
tiers and ambassadors abroad, notifying
them of the position of the United
States in the present difficulties.
1t seems to be the common under
standing, that in view Of the action
OF the Spanish government, there is
now no occasion for delay on the part
Of our government in acting on the
joint resolution directing Intervention.
for the refusal of the Spanish govern
rent to receive the communication,
knowing its character, is to be con-
tsstrued; only as refusal of it's condi-
tons
News came to the department today
that tended to confirm the reports that
the formidable Spanish naval force at
st. Vincent, Cape Verde islands. had
sailed last night for an unknown des-
t1nation. Naval experts say that, lear-
Ing cut Of consideration the question
Of the relative strength of personnel.
the Spanish force is at least equal and
probably much superior in some re-
spects to Commodore Schley's fleet. 1t
Is not believed by any of the naval
officers that the Spanish fleet will I'M
dertake to cross the Atlantic and at
tack Commodore Schley on. his own
base, but 1t would seem to be equally
lmpracticable for the commodore to
take his flying squadron across to at
tack the Spaniards, unless he is re-
inforced.
The threat Of the Spanish newspapers
to give US surprise in the shape Of
a naval visitation, does not cause any
particular uneaSineSs at the navy de-
partment, and although nothing posi-
tive Is known as to the destination Of
the Spanish squadron, it is surmised
that 1t was started on its return to
Spain, thus indicating a purpose to
await an engagement in their own
waters. 1t Is likely that in this event,
the first port made will be the Canary
Islands, distant about S25 miles from
81. vincent, and Spanish possession
partially fortified and a fair base.
SPANS Ships.
1t Is not believed that the Snan,sb
naval commander will be foolish
enough to run the risk Of taking his
torpedo boat fiotilla across the Allan
tic in the attempt to defend either
Porto Rico or Havana. 1t is about
$500 miles from Cape Verde to Porto
RICO and in the present stormy sea-
son on the north Atlantic the torpedo
boat f1otilla would have all it could
do to keep af1oat and would be exnos-
ed to destruction at the hands of the
smallest swift cruiser sent to intercept
it.
Naval officials refuse most positiva.
ly to say whether they intend to force
an issue by sending supplies to the
reconcentrados in Cuba on a merchant
ship conveyed by a man-of-war. 1t is
known that this plan has been under
consideration. but a suggestion has
been made that the Spaniards might
avoid the issue entirely by permitting
the merchant ship to land the stores
without molestation, and then right
afterwards seize the stores for their
own use.
Particular reticence Is observed re-
garding the movements of the battle
ship Oregon. and the gunboat Marietta.
now on their way around the Horn tn
join the war fleets in the Gulf of Mex
leo. The Oregon sailed from Callao
on the 9th inst, since which time moth
ing has been heard from her. 1t is
believed she has passed Valparaiso.
and is now nearing the port Of Monte
video Uruguay. A formidable spar
ish torpedo boat is supposed to be
somewhere in that vicinity, awaiting
the arrival of the big battleshjp. and
some fear is expressed that she NAV
creep upon her unawares and conse.
quently considerable relief will be felt