The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-04-21
not be confiscated even If under
the enemy's flag; bIocIxades, in orr
der to be binding, must be eff
fectfye.



tervention resolutions have been signed and
Spain has been given until Saturday to
make reply to the American demand that
she evacuate the Island Of Cuba. 1t is
very evident that the Spanish mind is al
ready made up. From the tone of Premier
Sagasta's speech and from advlces as to
the feeling at Madrid, there is no doubt
that the answer-if. indeed, any reply is
made to our ultimatum-wilI be refusal to
yield to our demands. The departure of the
Spanish minister from Washington may be
the only reply which the Spanish govern
ment will make except to supplement that
act by giving Minister Woodford his pass
ports between now and the end of the time
limit named in the ultimatum.
The next step will undoubtedly be the
carrying out of the plan of campaign,
which has been already thoroughly dis
cussed at the departments. In a gen.
eral way it is understood that this
plan involves the siege of Havana and
relief operations at Matanzas, sixty miles
east of Havana. General Lee is strongly
in favor of immediate invasion of Cuba and
an attack on Havana He is convinced that
the Spanish army in Cuba can be forced to
capitulate within sixty days if an active
campaign is at once inaugurated. He is
u axrip caiH ~ f0Iyo eli m
is delayed the result will be that the Span
ish army on the island will engage in whole
sale murder and destruction. The President
is reliably informed that the Spanish army
in Cuba has less than thirty days supplies
of provisions and ammunition, and although
he is strongly prejudiced against the theory
Of short campaign, it is not impossible
that he will yield to the advice of experts
who are thoroughly familiar with the situ-
alton, and start in on that line. Representa-
tives OF General Gomez and of the insurgent
Miles and Secretaries Alger and Long this
afternoon. The details Of the conference
and what was done at it have not been dis
closed but from reliable sources it is
learned that information was sought by our
people and freely given as to the best means
Of supplying Gomez with arms and ammu-
milton. This will be one of the first things
done. The way was pointed out how sup
plies could be sent to the insurgent chief
quickly and safely. The Cuban seacoast is
now practically unpatrolled by Spain. All
of her war ships and cruisers, except two
old hulks, have been withdrawn to the Cape
Verde and Canary islands. It will be an
easy matter, therefore, for American ves-
sells to land anywhere along the shore with
the materials which the insurgents are so
greatly in need of.
Congress is showing disposition to lend
a helping hand to the administration. The
House to-day passed the bill for the crea-
tion Of a provisional army. The measure
places at the disposal of the President the
entire state militia of the country on terms
that will be satisfactory to the citizen sol
diers and which will result in the imme-
date mobilization Of an effective fighting
force of 100000 men. The Presidents first
call for volunteers will be for $4,000. Indi-
ana's quota will be $780, or three regiments.
%'*
The next step which Congress will take
will be the passage of a bill authorizing
a war loan of s5OO.OOO 900. 1t will be popu-
lar loan, and the first demand will be for
500, 600, ,0OO The bonds will run twenty years,
but will be redeemable after five years.
They will bears per cent. interest. The
secretary of the treasury will also be au-
thorized to borrow short-time money on
per cent. exchequer certificates. These bonds
will be payable in coin.
The new war revenue measure which was
to have been reported to the ways and
means committee to-day by subcommittee
composed of Representatives Steele, Dalzell
and Payne, was withheld, and important
changes in it have been decided on. Tea and
coffee, which were expected to yield $685.
100000, will not be taxed. In their place
will be substituted great many articles
which do not figure so conspicuously in the
daily fare of the poor man. All kinds Of
mineral waters will be taxed as well as do
mestic wines, chewing gum, speculative
transactions on commercial exchanges, all
sorts of instruments of record and tonnage
of vessels. domestic and foreign. There has
been some talk OF another attempt to tax
incomes, but this has been abandoned for
the present, although if the need of money
should become more urgent after a while,
that expedient will be resorted to. The
subcommittee may report to the full COM
mittee tomorrow. 1t held an important
meeting this evening and practically COM
pleted the reconstruction of the BILL
A MISUNDERSTANDING DAY.
Cuban Resolutions Signed and an III
timatum Sent TO Spain.