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

WASHINGTON. April 22.-There
were two further important steps in
Washington towards actual hostllttles,
no. to mention the overt net involved in
the seizure OF the Spanish vessel Buena
Ventura, of Key West. The first was
the issue by the President OF his procia-
nation announcing to the world block
ade OF number OF Cuban ports and
the second was the signing by him Of the
bill providing for the utilization OF the
volunteer forces In war. Then. in addI-
tlon, there was notable retirement
from the navy department IN the case
Of Captain Royal B. Bradford, chief Of
the equipment division. Captain Brad
ford Is not only an officer OF high scien-
tfc attainment, but Is equipped as we'll
In great practical experience in naval
matters. Although he has not held his
present office long and by. custom Is en-
titled to nearly three years OF further
service here, ne has become so impatient
tp Join in active service that he to-day
addressed the following letter to- the
President:
Il respectfully tender my resignation
as chief Of the bureau OF equipment Of
the navy department. It has been a
great pleasure to serve during your ad-
ministraton In my pending capacity,
and beg to express my thanks for the
honor conferred upon me by your ap-
pointment to such responsible office.
This resignadontis rendered only that I
may ask for, active service afloat."
Captain Bradford addressed similar
letter to Secretary Long. with the addi-
ton Of a request to have command OF
an active warship. The resignation will
be accepted and by.yirtue of his rank as
well as to mark the high regard enter
tanned for him by! the administration.
Captain Bradford will be given one Of
the best available ships in the navy. :
The naval authorities welcomed with
on the part of a distinguished New York
citizen. in rendering to the government
without compensation, his speedy steam
yacht. Is. i5S 4 n d
No Privateering.
Following up the formalitles begin
ming with tiie blockade proclamation,
D.. z o.. ~ = e I-sf- -
the state department this afternoon ad-
dressed an identical note to all Of the
representatives. OF foreign nations &C.
credited to Washington notifying them
OF the policy to be pursued by this gov
eminent in the matter OF prlvateering
and neutrality. This was followed by
the sending of cable messages to all
American embassies and legations
abroad containing the same Information
In a little more succiuct form for presen-
tation to the governments to which they
are accredited. The statement was pre-
clsely similar in terms to that tele-
graphed by the Associated Press last
Wednesday and Its formal adoption by
the government as the line of policy to
be pursued was not prevented by the
criticism passed upon 1t In the senate
yesterday by Mr.. Money, OF Mississippi.
In brief, It declares that our government
Will not resort to privateering, that
eneny's goods in neutral bottoms save
contrahand. arc exempt from seizure;
that neutral goods not 'contraband under
enemy's flag are safe from seizure and
that b!ockades to be binding must be
effective. In substance these are the
principles laid down in the agreem ent OF
Paris OF 1856. The ofiiciale are not dis
turoed at the semi official notice from
Madrid that Spain will refuse to be
oothd by the same principles and forbid
prVateerinS. 70: they are satisfied that
me great commercial powers Will not
;olerafe the practice OF privateering un-
det the Spanish flag. Inasnuch as there
exists q great amount OF mlsapprehen-
sioh not only among foreign countries,
put also among American shippers as
70 the character of merchandise that is
contraoand and liable to seizure during
tne progress Of war. the following un-
tofhcial but authentic sta.emeat has
oeeh obtained from a high official of the
government: s'T's 4 '1773
Contrab.nd OF War. /.
Absolute contraband.
Noccastoaa, or conditional contra
bald.
Goods not contraband-
The fret class includes provisions,
naval stores. coal, horses, certain kinds
ot machinery, certain forms Of steel,
,Ioa. ETC., which arc subeervien. TO war
IKE use and which are destined for the
use OF the enemy. They ore contraband
not according to occasions and con-
uIIons as to their character. shipment
and destined use. Every such case de-
peads on ts own facts. s
me third class includes articles not
suited to war-like use-such rs church
tt.Tice and musical Instruments. house,
&c nolo wares and goods, and other such
Hke articles, and including many that
afe purely mercantile in character.
No article OF merchandise Is contra
.aNd unlees unless transported beyond
Me territorial waters and Jurisdiction OF
neutral state; nor unless destined for
aa enemy port or for enemy use or for
On enemy ship upon the high scas, which
,oe!l'seTent ships are permitted to police
~ search OF enemy ships ana contra
oaad Of war. s
no iinal and exhaustive definition OF
Unsraoand articles can be given. They
a.e changing With the progress OF in
'en!ions. Some articles Tcre formerly
sdWraoand which now are not; and the
universe Is true =
Each bclligcrent government Is compc-
ent 10 determine what It Will treat as
ttonltaDanh. Its prescription OF contra
oAnu articles Is conclusive II such pre-
SSslp!!on should be made IN outrageous
.t disregard OF Information lew or ~ treaty
aSnts, neutral staten affected would
W1oably lnterpoae.
%" bclllgerent right OF capture III
%hashSt neutral exists only either in
ave OF contraIbnnd OF war Dr OF enemy
no'Ja abroad. or OF n violation OF mn
.mec'ive blockade ard in other nnalo.
snIS ca5e5 where the conduct or the
,u'ra' JuatifleG. tho belligerent In treat
.HE MS prdUerty M pnnny't .,rntIcptyl
a. ~ stain adheres to tho principle "fsaa,
,nbF. Tree goods ns this Ebvcr1piri.t
:mPPHHe% 10 do, only c0ntrEbRnd sdG!1
sf+ ribJec. to capture .ln38uch ships
,,Mlulry at the navy departJGCi,t aijito
"'e story thai ennr government iud ar