The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1898-04-23
FORMAL DECLARATION

or War Suggested by tho State Dopart-
ment 20 ms 10 Sst In Motion Tho Neut :
rniItv La,vs-As TO Privnteoriny. {.
WASHINGTON, d. c., April 22-The
state department is now considering
the ndvlsability OF requesting Congress
to declare war. While there is no imme-
diate necessity for the declaration there
are many reasons why such q course
would prove advantageous to--ieis..
Strong pressure is being brought to
bear upon the state department to in
duce It to make, a proper recommended
ton to Congress to serve as a: basis OF
action. 1t is held that until formal
declaration is issued We cannot set in
motion the neutrality laws OF foreign
countries and in fact would be practic-
ally in the position that Spain occupied
toward Cuba-denying that war existed
In spite OF the actual fact There Is
another reason of material Importance
just now that may influence action.
That Is that the army and navy may be
prevented from calling for the services
of retired officers, owing to the fact that
In some cases the statutes provide that
this may be done only upon "a declar-
alton OF war;"
This : is notably the case with the
medical corps OF the army which is
likely to be under the immediate neces-
sity Of calling for number Of retired
officers of that branch of the service. In
the navy also 1t Is extremely desirable
that the secretary have the. power to
avail himself of the services Of retired
officers to replace in the navy yards
and stations the younger officers who
are needed aIloat.
The state department has nearly re-
linqu!shed It's connection with the Gu
ban question which has practically
passed into the hands OF the army and
navy. or course, oil direct correspond
ence with Spain has now ceased, but
the department has still to perform a
number of formal acts required by in
ternational law mainly In the direction
OF notifying the foreign powers Of the
conditions under which tho United
States will conduct the war. with Spain.
These will include a notice to all the
powers OF the intention OF the United
States to refrain from privateering. to
respect the goods Of neutrals In Span
fish bottoms and Spanish goods not
contraband In neutral bottoms.
& Respecting the purpose OF the Presl-
dent TO refrain from privnteering,which
formed the subject of some criticism In
the senate yesterday, at the hands OF
Mr. Money. 1t can be stated the declar-
alton already published was an express
sion OF the personal wish of the exec
utlve. II IS fully realized that the con-
stitutlon conferred upon Congress the
right to issue the letters OF marque and
reprisal under which the priyateers
must operate.
But the reasons for abstalning from
the practice OF this seml-legalizcd form.
of piracy are so prudent in the opinion
of tho administration of this. that II Is
not doubted Congress will heed the ad-
monltion to refrain from exercising
that power. One OF these reasons, prob
ably sufficient In itself, is that in the
event that privateering is recognized
by the combatants Spain would be able
to inilct damage upon tho United
States merchant marines, many fold
greater than We could reasonably ex-
pect to innlct upon Spa!n's commerce,
Z It Is said that Spain has very little
shipping OF her own and most OF her.
commerce is carried on in what would
be neutral bottoms and so to Keep
them from destruction. even by prlya-
teers. Fii
(. On the other hand aside from the nc.
tual foreign commerce. OF the United
States, the coastwise traffic Is OF vast
importance financially and owing TO tho
enormous length OF our const line. this
Is peculiarly exposed to Interruption
and seizure. The United States navy.
proper may be relied on TO protect this
commerce from attack by the vessels OF
the Spanish navy operating a long dig
tance f:om their base, Bit Il would be-
a lerculean task to undertake TO pro-
tect three thousand miles or coast line:
against the tforages OF the Driyntcers
who might swarm undcr. the Spanish
flag. Every European port shelters
come cratt Owned by venturtsomc splr-
lta who would not heal,ate FOR a mos,
}ment 70 take their chances as 8prlya-}
,teers and ask for letters o Z tTmarGutt
Without rcEaSd to their .Sytnpa.hie3s In
The cause It Is not doubted TINT the ma
1orltles OF these would prefer 10 take