The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1898-04-28

WASHINGTON, April 27.-Conditions
in Washington are rapidly settling
down to those of actual war. Notices
have come to the state department from
the four quarters of the globe showing
that the nations, as rule, are prepared
TO assume an attitude of strict neutral
ity as between the United States and
Spain in the present struggle. In most
cases they were in answer to the iden.
tical note sent out by the state depart.
ment to all United States embassies and
legations, instructing them to inform
the governments to which they were
accredited that war has existed since
April 81. Great Britain always has
taken an advance stand in the principles
of neutrality, so that it was with great
interest that the news was received
here of the terms of the neutrality
proclamation issued in London.
On the whole, the officials are dis.
posed to take the view that strict ad-
herence by Great Britain to these rules
will be rather more advantageous to the
United States than to Spain, particu-
larly as we are now 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 proclamation
laying down rules as to the seizure of
prizes, and the result, 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 ship was captured are such as to
warrant release. The impression pre-
walls that the Buena Ventura, the first
on the list Of prizes, will be declared no
prize.
The case of the Panama, whose seiz.
ure was reported, is more complicated
owing to the fact that, while otherwise
exempt, the ship Yas reported to have
contained supplies for the Spanish army
in Cuba which are contraband. How.
ever, it may be said that, while the set
tlement of these questions will be left
to the courts, the administration be-
heves 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 in the liberal terms of the proc
lamation itself by which the prize
courts must be guided. 1t is noted also
that the administration has not been de-
tered by any criticism in congress from
again formally pledging isself to the na.
tions Of the world to refrain from priva-
teering and abide by the declaration of
Paris of 1855.
So far as is known all the United
States consuls made their way safely out
Of Spain. Consul Fay at Dania has re-
ported to the department from Lisbon,
Consul Bowen at Barcelona from Paris
and Consul Carroll at Cadiz and Consul
Bartelan at Malaga from Gibraltar. The
department has assured itself that the
others are safe.
The army reorganization bill became
q law and the war department have be-
gun to devise the best means of carry
ing out the purposes Of the act, which
will result in an increase of the regular
army to more than 10000.
In the war department preparations
went on with ceaseless energy for the
volunteer army. All the officers were
detailed who are to be sent to the vari-
GUS states and territories to muster the
guardsmen into the service of the
United States.
The plans for the full organization of
the army were also perfected. To pro-
vide officers for the regular army and
volunteers Secretary Alger ordered the
assignment to duty of all the cadets at
the West Point military academy who
would in the ordinary course of events
have graduated in June.
Among the orders issued at the navy
department was one directing Captain
A. p. Mahan, the author and world re-
nowned authority on naval tactics, to
report for duty at the navy department.
Captain Mahan is retired officer, and
will be assigned to a position on the
strategy board. Probably he Will re-
place Admiral Walker, for whom the
president and Secretary Long cherish
the highest regard ON account Of his
professional ability, and who is to be
Assigned to duty of the highest import.
ance in the immediate future.
1t appears that the assignment of Rear
Admiral III. Erben, retired, TO relieve
Commander Elmer, in charge Of the
Mosquito fleet, was caused by the i'll
health of Commander Elmer. More
than dozen retired officers were called
into the service by Secretary Long
Commander Elmer has since died.
Spanish vessels, by the PRESIDENT
proclamation, have been given unit
May 2l to leave United States ports.
The Steamer Paris Sighted.
OUFFNsTOwy Anril 27. The Steamer