New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-04-27

THE SPANISH FI,OTIILA FROM ST VIM
CENT-A LANDING PLACE IN CUBA
TO BE ESTABLISHED SOON.
fBY TELEGRAPH TO THE rRIBuyEl
Washington April 26.-Notice to all neutral
Powers has been given by the President or yes
terday's declaration by Congress that state
OF war exists and has existed since the morn
| Ing Of April u between the United States and
Spain. and many responses TO this warning
| have already been received by the State De-
! partment in the shape OF bulletins announcing
| the issue of neutrality proclamatl0Ds in various
quarters of the world. Great Britain, as was
to be expected. was among the first OF the
greater Powers TO act, her scattered colonial
possessions and numerous ports OF call for coal
ing and naval supplies making it incumDens
on her to enjon Upon her subjects the strlctest
observance OF neutral obligations. In several
Of the British colonies proclamations or neu-
traIity actually issued before the passage
of yesterdays formal recognition OF war; and
word was received this morning by Sir Julian
Pauncefote that the home Government was
about to issue elaborate instructions based on
the neutrality provisions Of the treaty between
the United States and Great Britain signed at
Washington In 1871. According TO the rules
then agreed on by the two nations a neutral
| Government Is bound
Flrst-To use due diligence to prevent the
/ fitting out arming equipping within Its 1uris-
diction of any vessel which il has reasonable
| grounds to believe is intended to cruise or to
carry on war with Power with which II is at
| peace and also TO use like diligence 10 prevent
tie departure from its jurisdiction or any Ves-
sci intended to cruise or carry on war as above,
such vessel having been specially adapted, IN
| whole or in part. within such jurisdiction. to
/ warlike
Second-Not to permit TO suffer either bel
! ligerent to make OF its ports and waters az
the base Of naval operations against the other.
or for the purpose Of renewal or augmentation
of military supplies or arms or the recruitment
| OF men.
Third-To exercise due diligence in its own
ports and waters, and as to all persons w,tnIn WI mn
| its Jurisdiction. 70 prevent any violation OF the
foregoing obligations and duties.
AWAITING PORrUGALs ACTION.
Whether other foreign Powers will take the
same advanced position or will simply content
themselves with adhering to the general rules
fixed by the law Of nations, remains to be es-
tabshcd. But apart from Portugal. the att.
tude taken by any other neutral nation will not
greatly concern or embarrass the United States
IT, as is confidently expected, Portugal fol-
lows At once the example of Great Britain, fur
ther use by Spain of the Cape Verd Islands as
a naval base will become impossible. Al the
same rme the TWO more northerly and almost
!
and the Madeiras, viii be closed TO the Span.
ish fleets, and the Canares wiz he left as the
single advanced station at which spanish war
ships could coal and fit out for hostile opera
Tons against this country. Apparently ths
stay of the Spanish squadron at 81. Vincent 10
to be interrupted within the next twenty-four
or forty-eght hours and on the course II takes
from Cape verd will hinge for the present the
conduct of the war on this side of the Atlantic.
ON the other hand. the immediate and rgor-
| ouS enforcement of neutral obligations by
Great Britain will result in the retention at
! Newcastle till the close Of the war OF the un
| finished United States cruiser Albany, pur-
| chased SIX weeks or more ago from the Gov
| ernment of Brazil. Ii will also deprive this
country Of the services OF the apparently un-
seaworthy torpeio-boat Somers. purchased In
| Germany and held at one of the English Chan
mel ports by the refusal of large portion Of
her former crew TO risk the voyage 10 New
York.
ATTACK on THE PHILIPPINES FASTENED
The prospect of speedy proclamation Of
neutrality by Great Britain has also operated
to hasten the attack Of the Asiatic Squadron
on the Philippine Islands Commodore Dewey
| having already moved his feet from Hong
Kong and begun his campaign for tho capture
of Manila Access 10 any Of the British ports
in the Far East having been cut off, the
Asiatc Squadron will probably be obliged to
establish base of its own in the Philippines
to which coal and supplies can be sent from
American ports on the Pacific
Unless the Spanish fleet now about 10 leave
the Cape Nerd Islands turns westward. the
Cnly serious test of strength between The two
bclligerents for the present will occur of Ma
Mia.
PLAN OF CAMPAIGN IN CUBA
The withdrawal of the Spanish squadron
now at St Vincent TO the Cdnaries will allow
the blockadins fleet now off Havana to adhere
to its present programme OF simply shutting
off all intercourse with Cuba and establishing
a naval and military base somewhere on the
northern coast for the purpose of communicat.
ing with the insurgent forces. There seems to
be little doubt that a landing will be made
near the eastern end of the line of blockade.
and a fortified post established 10 be held by a
oint force of regulars and marines. A juno.
| ton will then be effected with the insurgents
who will be supplied with arms and ammun
tion and put in effective condition 10 CO
operate in future operations against Havana.
VOLUNTEERING IN GREAT NUMBERS.
The Administration is highly gratifed at the
response already made to yesterdays requis
| lion on the various States and Territories for
volunteers Some embarrassment has arisen
| from the fact that in some States portions Of
the National Guard will have To be left be-
hind. and that in others several organizations
will have to be merged together to create reg
ments Of the full three battalion strength. 1t
will certainly be several days before the War
Department can begin the task Of mastering
In and organizing the troops collected into State