The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1898-04-22
The War HaS
Actually Begun
Though not Officially Declared by Congress War Really
Began With the Order for the American Squad
ron to Blockade Cuban Ports.


all American Consuls in Spain to imme-
diately withdraw from the country. lie
further stated that he had informed the
Spanish government, after asking for
his passports. that he had placed the
American Legation in Madrid and Amer
lean interests in Spain generally, III the
hands of the British Embassy. The
Ambassador, Right Hon. Sir Henry
Madrid, SO American interests will be
confided to the British Charge, Sir
George G. L. Bonham, Bart.
NOTICE OF THE BLOCKADE.
TO all intents and purposes this re-
lieyes the State Department from fur
ther negotiations in regard TO Cuba, save
those relating to priyateering, neutrality
obseryances and the like. 1t was found
necessary to frame Il notice to the pow
ers of the intention of our government
to establish a blockade of Havana. no.
tifcation required by International law
The Navy Department to-day, aside
from giving the orders TO the squadron,
continued the work of adding to the M
w and purcha sing another ship at Nor
folk as an auxiliary craft and some
small yachts. The news Of the actual
beginning of war WAS received with
gravity at the department and there
We're many speculations ais to the desti-
nation of the Spanish squadron. One
suggestion was that they would try 10
cut off the fine battleShip Oregon now
on its way from the Pacific coast around
to join Captain SIMPSONS command
There Is also some fear that the Ore
@on may be detained at an unfair advan-
tagc without knowledge of the existence
of war by the Spanish torpedo destroyer
Temmerire which is now lying ut Buc-
nos Ayres. Possibly with a view to
avoiding conflict in the Straits of Ma
Sellan. where she would be ut a disad-
vantage, the Oregon has been ordered
10 20 around Cape Horn.
The little Bancroft. now at Boston. has
heen placed under command of Captain
Clover, VINO will meet the ship at Nor
'olk within few days and take it to
Tey West
IA the War Department orders !law
TO and fro relative to the concentration
of troops in tie South, and Secretary
Alger was several times in consultations
with the President. resulting in the do
termination to call for 100000 volln-
al
necessary legislation. The change in
the composition Of the Cabinet. entirely
unexpected, completed the list of inl-
portant events of the day.
At about 4:4J o'clock this afternoon
the President had a brief conference
with the Attorney General, Secretary
Long and Assistant Secretaries Day and
.Adec. Several kilograms were received
and others presumably sent, but their
purport was not disclosed. AT 5:15 tic
President joined Secretary Long in 4
short walk.
For several days, and especially to-day
the Secretary of the Treasury has re-
cciyed a large number of telegrams
from collectors OF customs at ports or
the Atlantic and Gulf coasts stating
that ships were being laden for Cuoan
ports. Large shipments of mules were
being made from Southern ports. and
beef and coal from those farther north
The question as TO whether these vessels
/ should be permitted to sail was referrd
! TO the Attorney General, and his opinion
was that pending the passage of the
bill prohibiting all expectations of ar
ticles of this character, this government
should not interfere.
IEASU RES FOR DEFENSE.
Washington. d. c., April 21.-ThreC
important measures were passed by the
Senate this afternoon all of which re-
late largely to the national defence. The
Sundry Civil bill, which has been pend
ing for two weeks. and which carries Il
large amount of money intended TO be
used in the strengthening of the coun-
try's coast defenses, was finally passed.
The Naval Appropriation bill was imme-
diateIy taken up and practically com
pleted, although pending, the discussion
of an amendment concerning the price
of armor plate. the bill was displaced
in order that the measure temporarily
increasing the military establishment OF
the United States in time of war might
he considered After a long discussion
the bill. as amended by the committee
was passed. A joint resolution was
adopted, giving the President power t,
prevent the expectation of coal and othei
war material
! just before adjournment 1t became
known among Senators on the floor tha'
Senator Walthal. of Mississippi. whG
bad been i'll for several weeks, was dead