The Chanute times. [volume] (Chanute, Kan.) 1897-1913, 1898-04-29
WAR IS0N.
H0STILITIES ARE TO BE-
GIN AT ONCE.
NO DECLARATION ISSUED.
Practical Acts of War on Both Sides
Render OGiciaI Declaration Vir-
tuaiiy Matter of Form
Tho Key West Squadron
Ordered to Havana by
Uncle Sam.

| WASHINGTON, April 90. - War be-
tween the United utates and Spain is
fact though not yet officially de-
clared so by Congress. The stirring
events of Wednesday, were succeeded
yesterday with rapidity by others OF
equal Importance eliminating in the
afternoon in orders for the departure
of the North Atlantic squadron 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 April 81, 1898. Two min
utes after the opening of the State de-
partment came word from Minister
Woodford that the Spanish govern
ment having anticipated and prevent
ed his intent ton to present the Presi-
dents ultimatum, he had asked for his
passports. The admins tration in a
public statement announced that 1T
regarded the action of the Spanish
government as rendering unnecessary
further diplomatic action on the part
Of the United States and further
stated that it regarded the course
adopted by Spain as one placing upon
that country the responsibility for the
breech of friendly relations. Mr..
Woodiords telegram resulted in the
calling of special cabinet meeting to
arrange an outline of plan of cam
paign 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 immediate result was the order
for the North Atlantic squadron to
begin the blockade of Havana. How
much further than this the cabinet
progressed in its deliberations, it is
not possible to say for the obvious
reason that the time has now come
when the interests of the government
require that the movement of ships
and troops should be guarded with
the greatest care from undue pub
licity in order to prevent the enemy
from taking advantage of information.
The North Atlantic squadron, under
Captain Simpsons command, make
splendid array of fine vessels, COM
prising battleships such as the Iowa
and Indiana, monitors like Puritan
and Terror, armored cruisers like the
New York, flagship, protected cruisers
like the Vicksburg, Wilmington and
Annapolis, regular torpedo boats such
as the Ericsson, Cushing, Winslow and
the like, and not to speak Of the mum.
Der of fast yachts and other vessels
that have been added to the feet by
purchase This force is quite compe-
tent to blockade all the ports in Cuba,
or at least all the ports connecting by
rail with Havana and so likely to be
used to supply that place in the event
of siege with food and munitions of
war.
This statement is to be taken with
the understanding that it does not
contemplate the coming to Cuban
waters of the Spanish fleet In such
case, however, the probable policy
would De to abandon the blockade
and endeavor to force the Spanish
fleet to battle. Minister Woodfords
action during the day as reported to
the State department in late tele-
gram, indicated that he was follow
ing carefully prepared program. A
significant feature of his message was
the statement that the Spanish gov
eminent notified him that it regarded
its withdrawal of Minister Polo as ter
minating diplomatic negotiations,
showing that it was not disposed to
accept the expressed intention
of our government to continue
Mr.. Woodford as medium of
communications until Saturday noon.
Mr.. Woodford also announced that he
had instructed Consul General Bowen,
at Barcelona, to cause all the Amer
lean consuls in Spain to Immediately
withdraw from the country. He
further stated that he had informed
the Spanish government after asking
for his passports that he had placed
the American legation in Madrid, and
American interests in Spain generally,
in the hands of the British embassy.
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 upon the part of
our government for action upon the
joint resolution directing Intervention,
for the refusal of the Spanish govern
ment to receive the communication,
knowing its character, is to be con-
strued only as refusal OF its condi-
tions.
Movements of our army and navy,
therefore, will follow as soon as we
are ready and it will not be necessary
to wait until Saturday noon.
Troops will cooperate with the navy
as soon as they can be concentrated.
Ten days it is expected will be neces-
sary to concentrate troops at Key
West
Students Eager for War.