The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1898-04-22

Washington, April s2-war between
the United States and Spain Is fact.
though not yet officially declared so
by congress. The stirring events Of
Wednesday were succeeded yesterday
with rapidity by others Of equal I'M
portance, eliminating in the afternoon
In orders for the departure Of the North
Atlantic squadron for Havana. This
practically is an act Of war, SO that
the war between this country and
Spain may fairly be said to date from
April q, 1898.
Two minutes after the opening OF the
state department yesterday morning
came word from Minister Woodford
that the Spanish government having
anticipated and prevented his inten-
ton to present the presidents ultima
tum, he had asked for his passports
The administration Issued a statement
that 1t regarded the action Of the Span
ish government as rendering unneces-
sary further diplomatic action on tho
part Of the United States. and further
stating that it reaarded the course
adopted by Spain as one placing upon
that country the responsibility for the
breach of friendly relations.
MI. Woodford's telegram resulted In
the calling of special cabinet meeting
to arrange and outline q plan Of cam
paign or rather to determine how to
begin the execution Of the plan of
campaign already prepared by the
strategic boards of the army and navy
departments The immediate result
orlor tho Nprti,
squadron to begin the blockade of Ha-
vana. How much further than this the
cabinet progressed In its deliberations
1t is not possible to say, for the OBJ
vious reason that the time has now
come where the interests Of the gov
ernment require that the movements
Of ships and troops should be guarded
with the greatest care from undue
publication, in order to prevent the
enemy from taking advantage Of the
information.
Captain Sampson's Formidable Fleet.
The North Atlantic squadron, under
Captain Simpsons command, makes
splendid array of fine vessels, compris-
ing battieships such RS the Iowa and
Indiana, monitors like the Puritan,
anu AIIpiilliltt,
ers like the New York, flagship, pro-
tected cruisers such as the Cincinnati,
Marblehead and Montgomery; gun
boats like the Vicksburg, Wilmington
and Annapolis; regular torpedo boats, |
as the Ericsson, Gushing, Wipslow and
the like, and not to speak of the large |
number of fast yachts and other vcs-
sells that have been added to the fleet |
by purchase. This force Is quite conf
pctcnt to blockade all the ports of
Cuba, or at least all of the ports con-
Meeting by rail with Havana, and so
likely to be used to supply that place,
in the event of siege, with food and
munitions of war. This statement is
to be taken with the understanding
that 1t does not contemplate the coming
to Cuban waters of the Spanish fleet.
In such case however, the probable
policy would be to abandon the block
ade and endeavor to force the Spanish
feet to battle.
Minister Woodford's action during
the day, as reported to the state de-
partment in a large telegram, indi-
Gated that he was following carefully
prepared program. A significant
feature of his message was the state
ment that the Spanish government
notified him that 1t regarded Its with
drawal of Minister Polo as terminating
diplomatic relations, showing that it
was not disposed to accept the eX-
pressed intention Of our government to
continue Mr. Woodford as a medium
of communication until Saturday noon.
Mr.. Woodford also announced that he
had instructed Consul General Bowen,
ut Barcelona, to cause all the American
consuls in Spain to immediately with
draw from the country. He further
stated that he had informed tho Span
ish government, after asking for his
passports, that he had placed the
American legation in Madrid and
American interests in Spain generally
In the hands of the British embassy
The ambassador, Right Hon Henry
Drummond Wolff. is not at present at
Madrid, so American interests will be
confided to the British charge Sir
George G. F. Bonham, Bart.
Notice of the Havana Blockade.
To all intents and purposes this re-
lieves the state department from fur
ther negotiations as to Cuba, save
those relating to privateerins. neutral
ity observances and the like. It was
found necessary to frame a notice to
the powers of the intention or our gov
ernment to establish blockade of Ha-
vana, a notification required by inter-
national law.
The navy department, aside from
giving the orders to the squadron, con-
tinued the work Of adding to the navy
by the purchase of another ship ct
Norfolk as an auxiliary craft and some
small yachts. In addition, word was
received that the Brazilian warship
Eichtheroy, bought by the United
States at Rio Janeiro. had sailed for
this country.
News came to the department yes
terday that tends to confirm the news.
paper reports that the formidable Span
ish naval forces at ST. Vincent, Cape de
Verde Island, had sailed Wednesday
night for an unknown destination
Naval experts say that, leaving cut
OF consideration the question OF the :
relative strength of personnel, the
Spanish force Is at least equal and [
probably superior In some respects to Y
Commodore Schley's feet. 1t is not I
believed by any OF tho naval officers
that the Spanish fact viii undertake Z