Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1898-04-23

Snecial to the Register.
Washington, April 22-The reality
at war came to-day when the cruiser
Nashville fired the first shot Off Key
West and captured the Spanish mer
chairman. Beuna Ventura, laden with
supplies for the Spanish forces in
Cuba.
Tomorrow the existence of war will
be formally declared to the world by
ACT Of Congress, according to the pres
ent programme OF the administration
and the Congressional leaders.
The necessity of a formal declara-
ZION of war is not admitted in some
quarters. and there may be opposition
10 it. But the general feeling in Con-
gress and in administration circles is
that a formal declaration will mini
mize the danger OF complications with
other powers and greatly simplify all
the problems that confront us in deal
ing with Spain and effecting final
settlement of the Cuban question.
So it is expected that when Congress
meets tomorrow the Presidents de-
sire for a declaration of war will be
made known and action will be taken
without delay.
THE DECLARATION OF WAR
will come at about the same time as
the Presidents call for volunteers,
which was authorized to-day by the
bill on which the confereeS Of both
houses agreed shortly after noon.
This cali for volunteers was ex-
pected this afternoon, as it was known
it. 50 that the volunteer army might
be organized and moved to the south
east coast without delay, for co-opera-
tion with the fleet that to-day began
the blockade of Cuban ports.
The delay In issuing the call, there
fore, caused much surprise. and no
explanation of it was forthcoming I'M
til late. It was then learned that the
terms of the bill as finally agreed
upon. puzzled the President somewhat,
and he had submitted it to the Attor-
ney General for an opinion before TAX
ing action under it.
Another cause for the Presidents
delay, and an equally strong one, was
the advice of the Senator's and mem
berE that the call should be for 10000
troops, instead of 100000. Senator'S
who went to the White House urged
that the first call for volunteers should
be for a sufficient number
TO MEET ALL EXIGENCIES
CT the war, so that a second call would
not have to be made. This advice
made strong impression on the Pres
ident, and he wanted time to con-
sder it.
Adyices were received here to-day
by the Cuban junta that General Gomez
had strongly rejected the proposals
for suspension of hostilities and new
scheme Of autonomy, conveyed to him
BY the commissioners that went from
Havana a few days ago. General Go
mez made bonfire of the presents
which the commissioners brought him.
and dismissed them with warning
that If they returned he would hang
them
Up to noon to-day nothing had been
received by the government indicating
that the Spanish fleet had left Cape
erde Islands. What may be the pur-
nose OF the Spanish government as to
@s disposition of this fleet it is not
Shown, but the belief among high Off
Gals is that the Spaniards will hesitate
Aeiorc sending the pick of their navy
INTO American or even Cuban waters
IL must be realized, it is said, that cut
on from a coal supply, they would be
dl a great disadvantage and would
run the very great risk of total ami
niation. Nor is it believed that Cap
am General Blanco will be in hurry
precipitate a conflict, and therefore
is not expected that Captain Samp-
son feet will have very much to do
uorlng the next few weeks.