The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-04-25
NIL NON DECLARE NAR
Congress to Take Formal Ae-
tiOn at Once.
TRANSFER OF THE TROOPS.
Department to Make Terms With
the Railroads.
SPAIN'S FIGHTING SHIPS.
Navy Department Posted as TO
Their Movements,
SPANS FIGHTING SHIPS.

washington, April A.--A resolution
formally declaring war against Spain will
be introduced in the Congress of the Uni
ted States tomorrow.
The decision to do so has been reached
after mature deliberation in order to safe
guard the interests of the United States.
An the arguments pro and con were dis
cussed this afternoon at the White House
at a conference in which President Nc
Kinley, Attorney General Briggs, Assis-
tant Secretary Day and Senators Davis
and Hale participated, and on it's break
ing up announcement was made that Con-
gress tomorrow would be asked to de-
clare what 1t is held already exists.
This was the important Washington de-
velopment on the first war Sunday.
The President will send a message to
Congress to be delivered Immediately its
convening, setting forth the facts in' the
case and asking Congress formally to de-
clare war IN order that there may be no
misunderstanding on the. part of other
nations.
The most important point in the mes
sage from news point of view will be
the announcement that Spain has made
formal reply to our ultimatum.
This reply has not been given to the
public and it was supposed that none had
been received. The document is a formal
acknowledgement by Spain, and also an
acceptance by that country Of the ultima
tum as a virtual declaration of war.
Congress will, therefore, be asked to rec
ognize this condition OF affairs and to de-
clare It to the world, using Spain's conces-
sion as a reason for it.
The war resolution has been prepared,
and it is understood that the two commit
tees having in charge the foreign affairs
of the two houses of Congress will be pre-
pared to report upon it very speedily
probably Immediately after the reading of
the message. An effort win then be made
TO have the resolution taken up and pass.
ed forthwith, and it is not now believed
that there will be any formidable opposi-
ton to this course in, either house.
For the President and his cabinet circle
Sunday passed quietly and uneventfully.
The President attended divine service at
tn Metropolitan Methodist Church, accom-
panied by Secretary and Mrs Gage and
Miss Alger.
Mrs. Mckinley has not yet returned
from her trip to New York city.
Adjt, Gen. Corbin and Secretary Alger
conferred in the afternoon respecting the
arrangements for calling on the Governors
of the states and territories for the quota
of troops they are to furnish under the
Presidents proclamation asking for 125.
O00 men.
In the state, war and navy departments,
many of the officials were at their desks
directing the execution Of policies hereto
lore determind upon. Neither Secretary
Alger nor Secretary Long were on HAND
nut Assistant Secretary Meikeljohn and
Assistant Secretary Roosevelt were on
outy for several hours
The assistant secretary is busily engag-
ed in supervising the general preparations
Tor The transportation Of the troops over
land and also to Cuba, for which large
number of vessel will be chartered
In the quartermasters Office nearly the
Whole clerical force was on hand.
The details are far from complete, but
Quartermaster General Ludington believes
everything will be in readiness by the time
me troops are ready TO move. Some under
standing with the. railroads on the basis of
Uniform rates of travel will be arranged
Il possible % that the soldiers may be sent
by the shortest possible route with the
least charge to the government
Questions of equipments of the troops
with uniforms and tents are also to be set
ued, although many of the state organiza-
lions are prepared in this respect.
It is said'at the navy department that all
the naval militia which viii be used in the
oeep sea patrol vessel already have been
ordered TO them, Those remaining win be
oulzed manning the signal stations along
theeoast and the vessels OF the close shore
auxiliary fleet
Commander Richardson Clover expects
nat the gunboat Bancroft. which he Is
~ command and which is now undergoing
pairs at Boston. VIII sail for Norfolk
~, IN a few days 10 take on her ammunition.
4"s probability Is that the yessd then