Connecticut western news., 1898-04-21
THE DASH TO BATTLE.
FLEETS WILL BE READY WHEN THE
 WAR 5ueLE SOUNDS.

The Ports of 10th Islands Co He niook-
 aded by saInpson's North Atlantic squad-
 ron and sohioy's Flying sausdrob-The
 Men on warships Eager For the Fray.
 Washington, April s0.-Noncompli- ance by Spain with the terms of presi- dent McKinley's ultimatum win be fol- lowed by the dispatch of the north Att lantie and the flying squadrons at IS minutes past I o'clock Saturday morn- Ing to Cuba and Puerto Rico to oust her from those islands.
 This decision was reached at the two cabinet sessions held yesterday, Brief ly, the plan determined upon is to insti- tute an immediate blockade of Cuba and Puerto Rico and to take possession of ports near Havana and san Juan, which will be held by marines and bluejackets until they are relieved by armies trans ported from the United states.
 It will be the duty of these armies to assist the naval squadrons in the re- duction of Havana and San Juan. With the entrance Of the armies into Cuba and Puerto Rico supplies, will be ship ped into the island and wfll be diatribu- ted by the commissary officers to such Cubnns as may be in need.
 Secretary Long has notified Captain w. T. Sampson, commander in chief of the north Atlantic squadron, and Com modore Schlcy. commander in ehier or the flying squadron, of the decision which has been reached by the govern ment, and these officers will have the vessels of their fleets in readiness to move the moment the word is given that Spain has declined to tneet the de- IaKaallnf,g MgIsif
 To Bloclsado All Cuban Ports.
 Under the plan determined upon Cap tain sampson's vessels will not only blockade Havana, but will blockade ev- cry other port in Cuba, both on the northern and on the southern coasts, and the flying squadron under the com mand of Commodore Schley will take similar action with reference to the ports of Puerto Rico.
 In order to fully acauaint themselves with the latest plan drawn up by the army and navy experts the president and his cabinet listened this afternoon to an explanation made by Captain A. s. Booker, the naval member, and Lieu tenant Colonel A. L. Wagner, the army member. These two officers carefully went over the situation with the prcai-
  which they have drawn up is under stood to meet with the approval of the officials.
 The plan which these officers have specially prepared contemplates the united operation of the naval and mill tary forces, and will be executed just as soon as the navy reduces port and occupies lt with marines. Then troops will be transported from the United States to Cuba at the point of Invest ment.
 Immediately after the institution of the blockade the president will find it necessary to inform neutral powers of the action of the naval squadron of this government. The policy of the United States with respect to blockades was announced by Secretary Seward in 1868, when. in instructions to the United States minister to Colombia, he stated that "only blockades as shall be duly proclaimed and maintained by m ade- uuate force in conformity with the law of nations will be observed and respect ed by the United States"
 This will be the policy of the admin lstration with reference to the blockade Of Cuba and Puerto Rico. The neutral nations of the world will be informed:
 First.-That the blockade will be strictly enforced upon those principles recognized by the law of nations.
 Second.-That armed vessels of neu- tral states will have the right to enter and depart from the Interdicted ports.
 Third,-That merchant vessels in port at the time when the blockade takes place will be allowed equitable time for their departure.