The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-04-28

their neutrality, namely. Great Britain,
France. Italy and Russia.
Thero remain OF the great powers Ger
many and Austria, neither OF which have
Ncl acted, The delay OF Austria does not
cause surprise, as Austria's sympathy
WitA spain is more pronounced than that
~ any other country of Europe. IL is not
doubted, however, that Austria viii as
sumo 4 neutral attitude sooner or later
The delay Of Germany is felt to be due
solely % Germany - consulting her own
commercial interests before shaDing the
exact terms OF her neutrality proelama-
UoN, lrom the first Germany and Great
kulaln have opposed the rlght of search
as detrimental 10 British and German
commerce.
Thus far Spain has announced a much
moro radical doctrine than the United
states on this matter, The spanish order
published IN the oineiar gazette last month
announced the purpose OF exercising the
rlsht ot search Of all merchant ships ON
the high seas
The Presidents proclamation of yester-
day qualified the right OF search by say
lpg that Il sis to be exercised with strict
rcg0M To the right OF neutrals and the
eoy0gcs Of mail steamers are not to be
intertercd With except on the clearest
ground OF suspicion, etc"
u ~ understood that this matter OF
rlght 20 search Is causing the hesitation
on the part Of Germany. and that il it is
satisfactorily established that German
merchant ships shall not be subject to
harraSSmeqt, Germany viii adopt the
same course as other nations.
The action already taken by four of the
six great powers shows there will he no
concert Of Interference either between the
~ hot h.,
constituting the Driehuud,
I The attitude Of Portugal Is felt to be
more important Just at present than that
OF any OF the great powers of Europe,
owing to the presence of the Spanish fleet
az the Cape de Verde Islands. belonginG
To Portugal Neither the state depart
mCnt nor the Portuguese minister at
W0shlngton, Viscount de Saito Thyrso.
had received word up to tonight as TO the
purpose Of Portugal on the question of
neutrality This caused considerable ap-
prehension In official circles here, as it
was felt that Portugals vicinage 10 Spain
might incline her 70 withhold neutrality
for a time. She owns the Cape de Verde
group, the Azores and the Madeiras,
which would give the Spanish fleet three
very important bases of operation.
Late IN the day the press dispatch from
Lisbon. saying that the cabinet council
would declare neutrality tomorrow, re-
heved this apprehension considerably. The
effect Of the decree win be 70 compel the
Spanish fleet at Cape de Verde to leave
Immediately. It is felt, however, that
that Portugal has done her neighbor a
good turn in deferring the proclamation
until tomorrow. and the Spanish fleet has
been laying In stores and coal for several
DAYS past. and doubtless win be fully
equipped and ready TO sail before the
neutrality proclamation forces them out
of Portuguese waters.
Colombia Is the only South or Central
American country which has thus far de-
clared neutrality. Spain has counted
much on the cooperation of Spanish
American countries, but there is no rea-
son 20 doubt that all of them will adopt a
neutral position.
Members of the diplomatic corps dismiss
the report coming from Europe, that an
other move toward European intervention
will be made as soon as Spain suffers a
decisive reverse. This is said to be purely
conjectural. and no such move has taken
form thus far by the exchange of notes.
IL is accepted as settled that no more
ships intended for the American navy can
leave the ports OF those countries which
have declared their neutrality. This re
suit Is most serious in the case of the
cruiser Albany, now at the Armstrong
yards. nj Elswich. Eng.