The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1898-04-28
MATANZAS FORTS BOMBARDED
The New York. Puritan and Cincinnati url Shot and Shell
Mouth Of Matanzas Harbor With Dis
astrous Effect.

assume neutral attitude sooner or later
The delay Of Germany is felt to be due
solely to Germanys counselling her own
commercial interests before shaping the
exact terms of her neutrality proclama-
ton. From the first Germany and
Great Britain have opposed the right of
search, as detrimental to British and
German commerce. Thus far Spain has
announced Il much more radical doctrine
than the United States on this matter.
The Spanish order published in the Of
fetal Gazette last Monday, announcing
the purpose Of exercising the right OF
search of all merchant ships on the high
seas. The Presidents proclamation of
yesterday qualified the right Of search
by saying that ii is To be exercised with
strict regard to the right of neutrals,
and the voyages of mail steamers are
not to he interfered with. except on the
clearest ground of suspicion, etc" it
is understood that this matter of right
of search is causing the hesitation On
the part of Germany. and that if it Is
satisfactorily established that German
merchant ships shall not be subject TO
harrassment. Germany will adopt the
same course MS otner nations.
The action already taken by four of
the six great powers, shows there VIII
be no concert of interference either be-
tween the great powers or between the
three powers constituting the Dreibund
The attitude of Portugal is felt to be
more important just at present than that
of any Of the great powers of Eur0De,
owing 10 the presence of the Spanish
feet at the Cape de Verde Islands, be-
longing 10 Portugal. Neither the State
Department nor the Portuguese Minis
ter ut Washington. Viscount dc Santo-
Thyrso. had received word up to to-
night as to the purpose of Portugal,
on the question Of neutrality. This
caused considerable apprehension in Of
fetal circles here, rs it was felt that
Portugals vicinage to Spain might in
cline her 20 withhold neutrality for n
time. She owns the Cape dc Ner&e
group. the Azores and the Madeiras,
which would give the Spanish fleet
important bases of operation. Late in
the day the press dispatch from Lisbon
saying that the cabinet council would
declare neutrality tomorrow relieved
this apprehension considerably. The eff
feet of the decree will he to compel the
Spanish Meet HI tuDe ue pFUe 10 lcdNc
Immediately. 1t is felt, however, thar
Portugal has done her neighbor a good
turn in deferring the proclamation unth
tomorrow, as the Spanish fleet has been
laying stores and coal for several days
past and doubtless will be fully equip
ped and ready to sail before the ncu-
trality proclamation forces them out
of Portuguese waters.
Columbia is the only South or Central
American country. which has thus far
declared neutrality. Spain has counted
much on the corporation of Spanish
American countries. hut there is no rea-
son 70 doubt that all of them will adopt
a neutral position.
Members of the diplomatic corps dis
miss the report coming from Europe that
another European Intervention will be
made as soon as Spain suffers a de-
cisiye reverse. This is said to be pure
ly conjectural. and no such move has
taken form thus far by the exchange
of notes. 1t is accepted as settled that
no more shins intended for the Ameri-
can navy can leave the port of those
countries who have declared their neu-
trality. This result is most serious in
the case Of the cruiser Albany, now
ut the Armstrong yards. Elswich. Eng
land