New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-04-23
NO QUESTIONS RAISED.
THIS CoUNTRYs RIGHT TO BLOCKADE
CUBA ADMITTED.
DIPLOMATS SAY THE POWERS WILL ACCEPT 1T
AS BINDING-sPAINs BEST STRATEGIC


AS B1NDING-sPAIHs BEST STRATEGIC
NAVAL MOVE
WASHINGTON. April 22.-Members OF the Dip
,omatic Corps say that no question can be raised
as 10 the right Of the United States TO declare
a blockade. This being conceded, foreign Pow
ers will accept it as binding Speaking OF the
blockade the military attache of one Of the
leading foreign establishments here said
The right of blockade is clearly recognized.
and this blockade of Cuba will be universally
~esnected by foreign Powers. The limited ex-
tent of the blockade is doubtless due 10 the
necessity of making the blockade enec'Ne; IN
legs effective a blockade is not binding. and with
80 extended seacoast surrounding Cuba 1t
would he very difficult If rot imposs'ple' 10
maintain an effective blockade OF the entire
island The blockade Will nave the erect OF
s1nnnng all commerce. even in neutral ships. to
and from the ports covered by the Presidents
proclamation. But at the same time II should be
rnderstood that a neutral ship may take her
own chances OF running This plocKaoe. IN mat
case she acts at her peril; and she can under no
circumstances expect lilueiihi'S HUM SilHef VI
the belligerent Powers.
SPANS BEST GAME A WAITING ONE
This officer who is a recognized authority on
ror strategy also pointed out the two strategic
,,oves open to the Spanish Navy, or the
thor az which, he believed, would be adopted.
He said.
The first and probably the best, strategic
naval move by Spain would be TO concentrate
o~d hold its fleet at the Cape NeTd Islands ana
The Canaries and wait until the American fleet
ar,e 10 it, 1t would then have the ad-
vantage of position base of supplies ana ample
cal II would be waiting game. but 1t would
nror,ise much better results than seeking de-
on,s,ve naval engagement far away from the base
Of supplies and from coal. The only serious .
Jafculiy would be that it would necessitate the
abandonment OF Cuba and Porto Rico Whether
the Spaniards are willing TO make 50 great a
sacrifice as a strategic moTe for ultimate naVal
~ IL
snanish Navy must choose the other strategic
move of making a dash 20 this side and risking
everything on the chance of a decisive victory al
tho outset II would be desperate move, but II
successfully executed IL would prove or inestl-
mabe value, not only IN its material results m
Guiding the defence Of Cuba and Porto Rico.
hut also the sentimental influences Of encourage
ment inspiring enthusiasm. But ii would be
most hazardous move az the Spanish ships
,,'oni6 have the Atlantic between them and the
home ports with little or no chance OF replenisn-
ing their coal supply What course the Spanish
s1Tategists will adopt I do not know. but, all
things considered, it to me likely they vii
adopt a waiting game and retirement Of their
naval forces until the United States fleet eager
for contest. goes in quest of them
RIGHTS OF FOREIGNERS IN CUBA.
The foreign representatives are beginning to
feel much uneasiness over the situation or lot
.ign subjects at Havana and other points COW
cred by the blockade. SO long as the blockade IS
peaceful the foreign residents are not likely to
suffer But in case of bombardment the for-
ejgn element might be put in jeopardy along
with the native population, unless ample time
were given to foreigners TO withdraw. For that
reason earnest inquiries are being made at the
embassies and legations IS to what nouce the
United States will give foreign residents at
Havana and elsewhere Of the imniinence OF
hombartlment There is no doubt that this Gov
eminent would give ample time for foreigners
10 withdraw, and in case or non-co 'nDatahts II
Is usual to give at least tWenty-four hours ho1Oo
OF a Commandment. but there might he serious
difficulty in the way Of such notice IN case me
Spanish forts open fire on American shlps. as ~
is hardly to be expected that the shlps MHunu
remain under fire for twenty -four hours without
Under the circumstances, members OF the Dip
lonsstta corps are looking for a notification CIV
;n4ESAie time for the withdrawal OF all for
eigN8E}nies Even in case OF an entfeN paSHic
blockade, such as the present one is eXpectea -
he there is some question az 10 the right "t
+oc.ieners at the points affected. The purpose
Of a blockade IS 10 cripple a locality by cuttn1
off its supplies and its communicauon WIN n tire
outside world. But in doing this foreign inter,
ests at the points blockaded cannot pc S ,
out by any undue means they take me SiIa' ,,
Of war tput it is usually expected mat theE VII
receive more lonient consideration than those OF
the country actually at war.
AN IrNFOUNDED RCMOR
rumor was circulated to-day that Spain
would cede Cuba to Austria. This was dis-
missed as groundless by leading diplomatic on
Gals whose position would make them aware or
anv such move One Of them, an Ambassador OF
country feeling much sympathy for SPAN re-
marked that the Spanish people would never
cede Cuba TO Austria or 10 any otheH foWel
The report he said was based on inisappre-
hension If the Intensity Of Spanish feeling,
which had reached the point where Spanlards
were ready TO give up their lives rather IMAM
lose Cuba even indirectly by cession
For several days the foreign embassies ana
legations have been aware that the United
States would make an official declaration
against privateering. and this was conveyed 10
them tonight in the form OF a clrcular hole'
AS a rule. this gives much satisfaction partcu-
larly 20 the commercial Powers as II is fe.t 70 p
only preliminary step toward the enforced
abandonment Of prvatcering by spain. Inc
French Government which is least ANXIOUS ~
cripple Spain by stopping privateerine, Is .o t
the less ready 70 see ii stopped because OF 'il.
near advent Of the Internal ional Exposition az
Paris when the ships Of the world VIII ne as
semDling French ports
ARTISTS GOING HOME TO FIGHT
SPANISH AcADEMIcIANs IL ROME TO BECOME
VOLUNTEERS
London. Apr 23.-The Rome correspondent OF