The true northerner., 1898-04-27

Press Censorship Established - News
from the Two Fleets-Cruisers Suddenly
Go to s~s-Topeka Is Safe-Notes of the
War->psin Issues "A Decree.
Key West, Fla. April 25.-According
to dispatch boats which have just
reached this port from the United States
fleet the port of Havana is blockaded,
but otherwise the situation is un-
changed. Contrary TO reports previously
received these boats say that not shot
has yet been fired by either side.
On Board United States Flagship,
New York. off Havana April 25.-Morro
castle batteries again opened fire on the
fleet early yesterday morning. but with
out effect.
GNote.-This dispatch is in keeping
with another dispatch received yester-
day morning early, and as seen con-
tradicts the previous dispatch.l
Washington April ga resolution
formally declaring war against Spain
will be introduced in the congress of
the United States today. The decision
TO do so was reached after mature de-
liberation in order to safeguard the in
terests of the United States. All the ar
guments pro and con were discussed
yesterday afternoon at the White House
at a conference in which President Nc
Kinley, Attorney General Griggs, AS
sistant Secretary Day and Senators
Davis and Hale participated, and on its
breaking up announcement was made
that congress today would be asked 10
declare what il is held already exists.
The president will send a message to
congress today to be delivered immedi-
ately after its convening setting forth
the facts in the case and asking con-
gress 10 formally declare war in order
that there may be no misunderstanding =
on the part of other nations. The most
important point in the message from a
news point of view will be the an
nouncement that Spain has made for
NAL reply to the ultimatum. This reply
has not been given TO the public and it
was supposed that none had been re-
ceived.
Pith of the Spanish Reply.
The document is a formal acknowl-
edgement by Spain and also an accept
ance by that country Of the ultimatum
as a virtual declaration of war Con-
gress will therefore be asked TO recog-
nize this condition of affais and TO de-
clare it 70 the world, using Spain's con-
cession as a reason for ii. The war res
olution has been prepared, and it is un-
derstood that the two committees hav-
ing in charge the foreign affairs Of the
two houses of congress will be prepared
TO report upon IL very speedily-prob-
ably Immediately after the reading OF
the message. An effort will then be
made TO have the resolution taken up
and passed forthwith, and 1t is not now
believed that there will be any formida-
bic opposition TO this course in either
house.
Attitude of the Spanish Government.
The Spanish decree published by the
Gaceta as to the attitude Of that gov
ernment regarding privateering and the
question whether or not coal shall be
held contraband of war was discussed
by the state department officials yester-
day. In response TO questions put to
him Judge VIM. l.. Penfield, the solicitor
of the department. said that if lists Of
contraband articles should be prepared
by the United States and Spain they
may be identical or may be widely di-
vergent depending on the policy of each
government. The action of each gov
ernment will bind only itself and its own
prize courts, and neutrals. The question
whether contraband or not might there
fore depend on whether the captor was
American or Spanish.