The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-04-21
United States Will Not Resort to
Privateering and VIII Respect
the Paris Declarations.
SPANS GREAT SQUADRON
CAUSING SOME UNEASINESS AMONG
WASHINGTON OFFICIALS.
A formidable Naval Force Now mt
Cape Verde IsIRnds-Key West
Fleet Guarding Against Mischief.

WASHINGTON, April 20.--The Navy De-
partment was busy in the preparation of
signal codes, flags, regulations, log books
and thousand and one things required for
war ships and for the large number of mer-
camille vessels and yachts recently pur-
chased. Many offers of vessels poured in,
but none were availed of to-day. The no
tice of arrival of the big Spanish armored
cruisers at Cape De Verde caused some dis
quiet in the department. particularly the
notice that the Pelayo had Joined the fleet.
Chief Engineer Baird, who is examining
recruits at the Washington navy yard, re-
ports that a very large portion of the appli-
cants for enlistment are of British BIRTH
English, Scotch and Irish, which he re-
CARDS as significant of the sympathy of
that people with the United States in its
attitude towards Cuba.
An outline of the policy to be followed by
this government in the treatment of neu-
trails and the matter of privateering is con-
tanned in the following statement:
I'm the event of hostilities between the
United States and Spain 1t will be the policy
of this government rot to resort to pri-
Watering. The government will adhere to
the following rules: First neutral flag COW
ers enemy's goods with the exception of
not contraband of war are not liable to con-
fiscatiOn under the enemys flag; third
blockades. in order to be binding, must be
effective"
This doctrine is undoubtedly laid down
to meet the various inquiries re-
ceived by the diplomatic represent
atives of the United States government as
to the attitude assumed by the United
/ ic thcto nti oll in
rules practiced in the recent .Chinese-Japa-
neae war and places the Unitetd States in
most advanced position so far as the pro-
lection of individual property and neutral
goods at sea is concerned. BY it Spanish
goods are made free from seizure on the
seas in the bottoms of neutral power.
This decision on the part of our government
will doubtless be welcomed in Europe.
Word came to the navy department to-
day that the Spanish cruisers Pelayo Viz
caya and Oquendo are all at present at
Cape de Verde islands in company with the
torpedo boat flotilla. 1t is realized that this
constitutes a most formidable naval force,
Roads.
The Navy Department is good deal dis
turbed about the torpedo boat Somers now
lying at Falmouth. England, and is cast
ing about for means to bring her to the
United states with safety, so far without
success. No purchases of ships were made
during the day, but the offerings continue
in undimnished numbers.
The Navy. Department was a scene of
great activity all day. Secretary Longs
visitors included not only considerable list
of congressman, including Chairman Can.
non of the House committee on appropria-
tions, but number of people who are try
ing to sell vessels to the government. The
latter were referred to Assistant Secretary
Roosevelt, who has taken special charge of
the ship purchases. The department has
almost concluded for the purchase of one
or two vessels in England to be used as
GOLFERS, but in advance Of the completion Of
the sale the officials do not deem it prudent
to make public their names. There was
every disposition on the part of the officials
to limit the purchase to ships of American
construction and ownership, but in view of
a number of bare-faced attempts of extor-
ton by the owners and agents of some of
these crafts. the department fells warranted
in going abroad and securing suitable
sells at very moderate cost
Rear Admiral Hughes, retired naval Of
hcer of the mature age of rs years, filed
his application with the Navy Department
to-day for restoration to active service in
the event of hostilities. While it is not
likely that the department will be obliged to
avail themselves of this offer, Secretary
Long was gratifed at the patriotic spirit
entertained by the old sea dog