The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-04-26
Strategic Boards Urged to Supplement-
the Cuban blockade by Seiz-
ing Two Seaports.
NEUTRALITY LAW ENFORCED
AMERICAN AND SPANISH SHIPS
FORCED TO LEAVE BRITISH FORTS.
Torpedo Boat SOmerS Likely to Stay
i'm England-The Paris to Be
Watched by Fast Cruisers.

WASHINGTON, April 25.-There was g
dearth of news to-day from the seat Of hos
tilities off the Cuban coast SO far as the
Navy Department was concerned, or if it
was in possession of information 1t was so
carefully guarded that nothing leaked out.
A few kilograms came from Key West an
nouncing the arrival there of the prizes
whose capture has been reported through
the press. Nothing could be obtained as to
the intentions of Commodore Schley in so
hastily rushing away the flyers Columbia
and Minneapolis from Hampton Roads, but
it is believed that their purpose is to shelter
the Paris or some of the other liners from
attack at the hands Of some Spanish cruis
er. There was talk of establishing sup
ply depot in the Philippines, to meet the
conditions in Asiatic waters. Our fleet there
now has no home, and, under neutrality
laws, the stay of the ships at any port is
limited to a few hours. This is unpleasant,
besides involving the expenditure of great
deal of coal, so that it may become neces-
sary for Commodore Dewey to seize port
in the Philippines and fortify it as base
Of supplies
The officials of the Navy Department,
with the assistance Of the attorney general,
have been preparing another proclamation
which will be issued in a day or two, this
time treating of prizes and defining the con-
ditions and time when such seizures might
be made 1t Is believed that the protest
and suggestions coming from foreign en-
bassies and legations here have led the de-
partment to define, once for all, its posi-
ton in this matter. A prize commissioner
was appointed this afternoon in the person
of Commodore John Wynne, a retired naval
officer. He will be stationed at Key West,
where he now resides, and it will be his
duty, in conjunction with two of the men,
bers yet to be selected as part of the COM
mission to make appraisments Of the value
of prizes and to assist the prize courts in
their work.
The department to-day purchased two
more tugs, the Hortense, of New Orleans,
and the Mary Willick OF Galveston.
From the fact that the State Department
has not been called upon SO far to prepare
any proclamation giving notice of block
ade of either Porto Rico or the Philip
pines, it may be set down as fact that the
naval forces are not yet ready to move in
that direction. 1t is the usual practice as
was shown in the proclamation relative to
the blockade Of Cuban ports, to give due
notice to foreign powers by proclamation
of an intention to blockade, and although
it is not absolutely necessary to follow this
course, 1T is believed the State Department
Will observe the usual rules. 1t is entirely
within the province of an admiral COM
handing, however, If, in his opinion, an
emergency exists sufficient to Justify it, to
establish the blockade first, and then give
notice, and in the case of the Philippines
1t is just possible such q course may be
followed in order that the Spanish naval
torce now at Manila may not be given an
opportunity to escape capture at the hands
OF the United States Asiatic squadron.