Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1898-04-28
THE WAR HAS BEGUN
SPAIN THROWS DOWN THE
GAUNTLET BY DISMISSING
OUR MINISTER.
TO CUT OFF ALL SUPPLIES
United States Proposes to Put Havana
IN State of Siege and Give the
Spaniards Fresh Reasons for Re-
Numbering the Maine.

w dsnlngtOn, April 22.-War between
the United States and Spain is a fact,
though not yet officially declared by
congress. The stirring events of
Wednesday were succeeded yesterday
with rapidity by others of equal i'm
portance, eliminating in the afternoon
in orders for the departure of the
North Atlantic squadron for Havana.
This practically is an act of war, so
war between these countries may be
fairly said to date from yesterday. Two
minutes after the opening of the state
department yesterday morning word
came from Woodford that the Span
ish government, having anticipated,
prevented his intention to present the
presidents ultimatum. He asked for
passports. The administration, in a
public statement announcing it, re-
garded the action of the Spanish gov
eminent as rendering unnecessary
farther diplomatic action on the part
of the United States. 1t further
stated that it regarded the course
adopted by Spain as one placing upon
that country the responsibility
for breach Of friendly
relations. Woodford's telegram
resulted in calling a special
meeting to arrange an outline of cam
paign, or arrange how to begin ex-
ecution of the plan of campaign al
ready prepared by strategic boards of
the army and navy departments. The
immediate result was an order for the
north Atlantic squadron to begin the
blockade of Havana. The north At
lantic squadron. under Capt. Samp-
sons command, is quite competent to
blockade all ports in Cuba or at least
all ports connecting by railways with
Havana, and so likely to be used to
supply that place in event of seige
with food and munitions of war. This
statement does not contemplate
the coming to Cuban waters
Of the Spanish fleet. In such
case, the probable policy would
be to abandon the blockade,
or endeavor to force the Spanish
fleet to battle
Woodford's action during the day
indicated that he was following care
fully prepared program. The sig
nlticant feature of his message was
the statement that the Spanish gov
notified him that it regarded
the withdrawal of Polo as terminating
d diplomatic negotiations, showing that
i; was not disposed to accept the ex-
pressed intention of our government
to continue Woodford as medium of
communication until Saturday noon.
Noodford also announced that he
instructed Consul General Bowen, at
Barcelona, to cause all American
consuls in Spain to Immediately with
draw from the country. He
placed the American legation in
Madrid, and American interests
in Spain generally, in the
hands of the British embassy. To all
tntents and purposes this relieves the
state department from farther negotia-
tions as to Cuba, save those relating
TO privateering, neutrality observances
and the like. It was found necessary
to frame a notice to the powers of the
intention to establish a blockade of
Havana, the notification being required
by international law. The navy de-
partment, aside from giving orders to
the squadron, continued the work of
aiding the navy, and purchased an
other ship at Norfolk as an auxiliary
tive to the news from Chicago that
three revenue cutters on the lakes
cannot be availed of for naval pur-
poses, it is said the navy department
some time ago abandoned the idea of
using these craft owing to difficulties
in getting them to the seaboard. In
the war department many orders flew
to and fro, relative to concentration
Of troops il the south Secretary AL
ger was several times in consultation
with the president resulting in a de-
termination to call for 100000 volun-
teers as soon as congress passed the
necessary legislation.
For several days, especially yesterday,
the secretary of the treasury, received
large numbers of kilograms from col
lctors Of customs at ports on the At
lantic and gulf coasts, stating that
ships were being laden for Cuban
ports. Large shipments Of mules are
being made from southern ports and
beef and coal from those farther
north. The question whether these
vessels should be permitted to sail
was referred to the attorney general
and his opinion was that pending the
passage of the bill prohibiting all ex-
portations Of articles of this character,
this government should not interfere.
With the actual beginning of war
the military and navel preparations
were vastly stimulated yesterday. The
navy bought a ship and a number of
yachts. Orders were sent to the
squadron to guard the movements