The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1898-04-27

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 to-day showing that the ma
tions as a rule are prepared to assume
an attitude of strict neutrality as be-
tween the United States and Spain in
the present struggle. In most cases
they were i'm answer to the identical
note sent out yesterday by the state
department to all United States embas-
sizes and legations, instructing them TO
inform the governments to which they
were accredited that war has existed
since April u.
Great Britain has always taken an
advance stand i'm the principles. of neu-
tralty, so that it was with great inter-
est that the news was received here of
the terms of the neutrality proclama-
tion issued in London. On the whole
the officials are disposed to take the
view that the strict adherence by Great
Britain to these rules will be rather
more advantageous to the United States
than to Spain. particularly as we now
are 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.
The president issued a proclamation
during the day laying down the rules
as to the seizure 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 ships were
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 seizure was
reported to-day. In more complicated,
owing to the fact that while otherwise
exempt. the ship was reported to have
contained supplies for the Spanish
army in Cuba, which are contraband
However, II may be said that while
cleft to the courts. the administration
believes the greatest liberality should
be shown In the application of the laws
where vessel Is not contraband or at
tempting to run the blockade. That is
shown i'm the liberal terms of the proc
lamation itself by which the prize
courts must be guided.
II u hotcu diso tnc
tion has not been deferred by any criti-
cism in congress from again formally
pledging itself to the nations of the
world to refrain from privateering ami
abide by the declaration of Paris of
1856
So far as known. all the United States
have made their way safely out
Of Spain. Consul Fay at Dania has
to the department from Lis
bon; Consul Bowen at Barcelona from
Paris. and Consuls Carroll at Cadiz,
Consul Bartelam at Malaga, from Glib
raltar. The department has assured
itself that the others are safe.
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 Bas-
sett Moore undoubtedly will be con- |
frmed tomorrow in Judge Days place. |
The latter is expected to return to |
In about two days time.
The army reorganization bill became |
/ law during the day. and the war de- |
partment ofYicials have begun to de- |
v.se the best means Of carrying out the
purposes of the act. which viii result /
n an increase Of the regular army to
more than 5000 men.
In the war department preparations
vent on with energy for the organiza-
ion of the volunteer army. All the 1
,fficers were detailed who are to be
'ent to the various states and terri