Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1898-05-02
NEWS OF THE WORLD.
WAR SITUATION SUMMARIZED.

War between the OulI0u OLdLSS duu
Spain commenced in reality Friday,
April %, when the north Atlantic
squadron began the blockade of Ha-
yana and the whole north coast of
Cuba. The same day the cruiser Nash
willie Of that squadron captured the
Spanish merchant vessel, Buena Ven
tura, laden with lumber, and bound
from Mobile for Havana. Since then
several similar captures have been
made, all being towed to Key West.
The Spanish took one American
&reighter off the English coast. This
vessel had sailed from San Francisco
January and knew nothing of the
war breaking out. Sunday the heavy
guns at Fort Moro, Havana, opened
en- the blockading fleet, but the Yam
KEGS kept out of reach, not even reply
ing. The American plan contemplates
starving Havana into submission, and
not bombarding unless necessary. The
blockading fleet embraces IL war
ships under command CT Real Admiral
Sampson. The president issued
proclamation declaring Cuban ports
an state of blockade by United States
fleets, and it was sent to the powers.
Spain has refused to give notification
OF her adherence to the treaty Of
Paris, regarding privateering, but the
powers are likely to clip her wings ii
she authorizes that kind of piracy.
Spain refused to wait for President
McKinley's ultimatum, but handed
Minister Woodford his passports with
a request that he leave the country,
which he did. The president issued
call for 700 volunteers Monday and
under it Wisconsin's quota will be
1924, Iowa's 3,772 and Illinois 6,608.
Troops will be concentrated at Wash
ington, Richmond, Atlanta and Chick
amauga. The regulars will doubtless
be sent as an army OF invasion to
Cuba and the national guardsmen to
man the seacoaSt defenseS. Gen. Fitz
Hugh Lee will probably command the
army of invasion, which, however,
will not move for some weeks yet.
The war revenue measure framed pro-
Yides for an increased tax of from 81
to 81 reP barrel on beer and a heavy
also a stamp tax on proprietary medi-
cines, chewing gum, perfumery, cos
metics, wines, mineral waters, ginger
ale, bonds, checks, kilograms, notes,
express money orders, letters of credit,
etc., etc. 1t will produce about $780,
600 900 annually.
April 25.-Both houses passed
unanimously and instantaneously a
declaration of war with Spain. John
Sherman resigned as secretary of
state. Assistant Secretary Day sue
ceeds him. The Spanish f1otilla is
still at the Cape Verde islands.
April 26.--Notices have come to the
state department from the four quar-
tiers Of the globe showing that the
other nations are prepared to assume
an attitude of strict neutrality. First
Lieutenant Rowan, under orders from
the war department, landed on the
Cuban coast somewhere west of San
tiago, probably before dawn Monday
to carry instructions to Garcia's ar
my. The Wisconsin troops have not
yet moved. We have now captured 9
Spanish vessels in all. There will be
no income tax as g, war measure
Revolution and rioting reign in
Puerto Rico.
An anti-Spanish mass meeting was
held in London.
One hundred vessels of the coast
patrol are ordered to do scout duty.
lima is the latest capture by Admiral
Sampson.
The United States purchased three
Chinese cruisers building in Ger
many.
Gen. Blanco issues a fiery mani
festo to the people of Cuba calling
to arms.
Spain has not given up the hope
of an alliance with Austria and
France.
The regular army will be sent to
Cuba to blockade the Philippine
ports.
Press matter at Key West is cen
sorized and Havana connections
abandoned.
the capture OF the Buena Ventura
was illegal.
The Spanish schooner Mathilde has
been caught by the torpedo-boat
Porter.
The United States may take pos
session of Hawaii as a coaling sta
ton.
Spanish IS touched "a in London,
the lowest point ever reached by
SPANS credit.
An unconfirmed and doubtful report
comes that Admiral Sampson will
bernhard Havana.
United States Consul Haywood
bought all the available coal at Homo
lulu for the navy.
SIMPSONS squadron will guard all
the Cuban coast except a portion held
by insurgents.