The Bourbon news. [volume] (Paris, Ky.) 1895-19??, 1898-04-26
THE WAR is ON.
Minister Woodford Handed His Pass.
ports Before Presenting UItumatum.
All Diplomatic Relations Between the Two
Countries Are Ruptured-It is Thought
in Washington No Declaration of
War is Now Necessary.

WASHINGTON, April 22.-Diplomatic
relations between the United States
and Spain are at an end. 1t is expect
ed that from now on events will move
with amazing rapidity up to the climax
of actual war. Judge Day, assistant
secretary of state, early Thursday
morning received a cablegram from
Minister Woodford, at Madrid, stating
that he had been handed his passports
and had been notified that official rela-
tions between the United States and
Spain were ended.
His cablegram said that he had been
given the passports before he had had
an opportunity to present the ulti-
matum transmitted TO him for submis-
sion to the Spanish government, the
delivery of the ultimatum to Minister
Polo having been accepted by the Span
ish government as a formal announce
ment on our part.
Judge Day at once hurried to the
white house where he found President
Mckinley about to enter a carriage to
take Mrs. Mckinley to the railroad
station where he intended to see her
off on short trip to New York. The
news that diplomatic relations be-
tween the United States and Spain
were formally at an end was so impor-
tant that the president babe a hasty
good bye to his wife on the white
house pOrtico and repaired lmmediate-
ly to the upstairs part of the house
where he and Judge Day held a con-
ference, the result of which was the
dispatch of Secretary Porter to the
capitol to communicate the news tc
the senate committee on foreign rela-
tions and also to leading members of
the house. 1t is presumed that this
was done in order to facilitate any &C
tion deemed necessary by congress.
BY a hasty summons Senator Davis,
of Minnesota, chairman of the senate
committee on foreign relations; SEN
ator Lodge, of Massachusetts,, a mem
Der of the committee; Senator Allison.
of Iowa, a leader in that body, and
others were brought to the white
house, where they joined Assistant
Secretary Day and the president short
ly after 10 o'clock in a conference
whose purpose is to map out the i'm
mediate policy of the United States.
The conference broke up shortly
after half-past ten o'clock. Judge Day
accompanied by Senator Lodge going
over to the state department. The as
sistant secretary would say nothing
regarding the conference further than
to authorize the statement that a pub
lie announcement would be made later
in the day. Chairman Davis, of the
senate foreign relations committee was
laconic and not explicit, simply re-
marking: We've taken the trick"
Senator Cullom, of Illinois, of the
foreign relations committee, was at
this conference also, and at II o'clock,
on leaving the white house, said that
the handing of the passports to Minis
ter Woodford constituted the Spanish
reply and ended all peaceful relations.
While an effort might be made in con-
gress to make formal declaration of
war, there was no occasion for it, and
in his opinion there probably would be
none. He add ed: There is enough of a
state of war now existing"
Everything now, he suggested, would
60 ahead without preliminary action
of formal declaration of war by con-
gress. The next step, he said, would
be to call out the troops.
The president did not indicate to the
senators and members of the house
with whom he talked Thursday that
he considered a declaration of war
necessary, and it is understood that he
has been advised by some of those
whose advice he most relies upon that
no declaration is necessary. Some of
the leading senators consider that
the congressional resolutions and
the ultimatum sent to Spain are all
that is necessary to give notice to the
world that state of war exists, while
others say manifesto to the powers
advising them of the condition of af-
fairs might be we'll.
The best information is that the
president is disposed to regard this ad-
vice and the proba bilities now are that
he will not ask congress to make
formal declaration of war.
The navy department TIL ursday,
aside from giving the orders to the
squadron, continued the work of add
ing to the navy and purchased an
other ship at Norfolk as an
auxiliary craft and some small
yachts. The news of the actual be-
ginning of war was received with
gravity at the department and there
were many speculations as to the des-
tination of the Spanish squadron. One
suggestion was that it is heading to
cut off the fine battle ship Oregon now
on its way from the Pacific coast
around to join Capt. SIMPSONS com
mand.
There is also some fear that the Ore
gon may be taken at an unfair advan-
tage without knowledge of the exist
ence of war by the Spanish topedo de-
stroyer Temmerire, which is now ly-
ing at Buenos Ayres.
MADRID, April GA semi-ofieiaI
note issued at $3.50 p. m. says the Span
-rsh government considers the ultima.
tum of the United States constitutes a
declaration of war. The semi-oficial
note adds that the Spanish feet is al
ready on its way to meet the feet OF
the United States.
Senior Polo in Canada