Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1898-04-30
ON TO CUBA.
Continued from page ~

plans already announced as to mObi
liZation of the volunteer troops and
very much against its judgment the
department is making concessions in
this matter.
A large number of callers are bring
plums within the gift of the president
and Secretary Alger in the shape of APP
pointments to grades above regimental
in the army. Gen. Lee and Gen. Dodge
Spent a good part of the day in con-
ference with officials giving color to
the reports that, they are among those
selected for appointment as major
generals.
The announcement that the State of
Texas, laden with supplies for the re-
concentrates, is destined for Sagua has
led to the surmise that it is probable
that this port instead of Matanzas
which has been selected for the landing
place of the first attack of the United
States troops.
Regarding the sroWls that appear in
the European papers and threats to in
terfere to prevent the United States
forces from blockading the Philippines.
it may be stated that this was fully ex-
pected. During the Civil War there
were great many attempts on the
part of European nations to disregard
our blockades and many threats OF in
reference. all of which came to naught,
from the firm attitude assumed by the
secretary of state. In the present case
the conditions of the Cuban blockade
are much more liberal towards the Eu
ropean powers than ever before i'm
posed.
In anticipation of the action of the
German commercial interests in com
bining to secure exemption from search
for their mail steamers. it is pointed
that the President in his proclamation
declaring the existence of war impli-
city announced that the voyages Of
mail steamers are not to be interfered
with excent on the clearest ground of
suspicion of a violation of the law in
respect to contraband or blockade.
Viscount De Santo Thyrao, the Portu
guese minister. looked over The Asso-
cated Press cable dispatch from Lis
bon giving the substance of the neu
trality decree gazetted there. today
and said it was evidently accurate anG
covered the entire subject. He had not
however, w to late hour, today. re-
ceived an official notification of the
neutrality decree.
The viscount stated that article 3.
which permits belligerents to make
short stops at Portuguese ports prob
ably would be better understood by
saying that belligerents would not be
permitted to make long stays at Portu-
guese ports. Under the usual rules of
international law the stay was likely to
be confined to Il day or two.
The minister drew attention to the
privileges permitted when war ships
of both belligercnt nations We're in the
same ports. In that case if the war
ship of one power leaves port, the war
ship of the other power cannot leave in
pursuit within "A hours.
Portugal has been very insstent upon
this rule and notable instance of it
occurred when the famous Confcdor-
ate privateer Alabama was at Lisbon
during the Civil War.
A United States ship entered Lisbon
harbor while the Alabama was there
and the Alabama Immediately with
drew. The United States shin aprar-
emily started in pursuit. Whcrcupon the
Portuguese batteries fred warning
ed resistance to the departure of the
second warshp before the first one had
her full "a hours start. 1t turned out
that the Northern ship had not intend
ed to chase the Alabama. but was NOV
ing her buoys so that trouble was
averted.
The British and French ambassa-
doris here have received instructions
relative to the tonnage tax prov ision
in the war tariff bill which passed the
House of Representatives. today. 1t is
understood that the German ambassa-
dor will also receive instructions on the
same subject. The nature of the in
structions is not disclosed. but they
doubtless relate to joint representations
against the sovereignty Of the new
tonnage tax.
Leading diplomats are hopeful tha
their representatives. will lead to
modification of the clause before TIL,
new tariff bill becomes a law as other
wise they feel that the tonnage due
will be SO burdensome on both Frencl
and German shipping as to cause ii t
seek Canadian and Mexican ports
Aside from the expected official repre-
tat Of