The San Francisco call., 1898-04-20
That Is the Plan of Cam paign Finally Determ-
 ined Upon.
And if Spain Does Not Finally Back Down the Naval Forces Will
 Move on Saturday Next.

NEW YORK, April 19-The Herald's Washington correspondent telegraphs: Noncompliance by Spain with the terms of President McKInley's ultima tum will be followed by the dispatch of the North Atlantic and flying squad rons, at eighteen minutes past o'clock on Saturday morning. to Cuba and Porto Rico to oust her from those isl- ands.
 This decision was reached at two Cabinet sessions held to-day. Briefly, the plan determined upon is to insti- tute an immediate blockade of Cuba and Porto Rico and to take possession of ports near Havana and San Juan. which will be held by marines and blue jackets until they are relieved by arm les transported from the United States.
 It will be the duty of these armies to assist the naval squadron in the re- duction of Havana and San Juan. With the entrance of armies into Cuba and Porto Rico supplies will be shipped into the islands and will be distributed by commissary officers to such Cubans as may be in need.
 Secretary Long has notified Captain Sampson, commander-in-chief of the North Atlantic Squadron, and Com modore w. s. Schley, commander-in- chief of the flying squadron, of the decision which has been reached by the Government, and these officers will have the vessels of their fleets in read mess to move the moment the word is given that Spain has declined to meet the demands of President Mckinley. Under the plans determined upon Cap tain Sampsons vessels will not only blockade Havana, but will blockade every other port in Cuba, both on the northern and the southern coast, and the flying squadron under command of Commodore Schley will take similar action with reference to the ports of Porto Rico.
 In order to fully acquaint themselves with the latest plan drawn up by the army and navy experts the President and his Cabine- listened this afternoon to an explanation made by Captain A. $. Barker, naval member, and Lieuten- ant Colonel A. L. Wagner, army mem Der. These two officers carefully went over the situation with the President and his advisers and the plan which they have drawn up is understood to meet with the approval of the officials. The plan which these officers have specially prepared contemplateS united operation of the naval and military forces, and will be executed just as soon as the navy reduces a port and occu- pies it with marines. Then troops will be transported from the United States to Cuba at the point of investment
 Immediately after the institution of the blockadl the President will find It necessary to inform the neutral powers of the action of the naval squadron of this Government. The policy of the United States with respect to blockades was announced by Secretary Seward in 1868, when, in his instructions to the United States Minister to Colombia, he stated that "Only such blockade as shall be duly proclaimed and main- tained by an adequate force in con- formity with the law of nations will be observed and respected by the United States" This will be the policy of the administration with reference to the blockade of Cuba and Porto Rico.
 The neutral nations of the world will be informed.
 First-That the blockade will be strictly enforced upon these principles recognized by the law of nations.
 Second-That armed vessels of neu- tral states will have the right to enter and depart fir m the interdicted ports.
 Third-That merchant vessels in port at the time when the blockade takes place will be allowed equitable time for their departure.
 The right to blockade an enemy's ports with a competent force is a right secured to every belligerent by the law of the nations. But to justify the ex- ercise of this right and to legalize the capture of a neutral vessel for violat- ing 1t a state of actual war must exist, and notice must be given to neutrals by the United States of its intentions to blockade Cuban and Porto Rican ports Having knowledge of a block ade the officials declare that interna- tional law holds that no neutral can lawfully enter or attempt to enter the blockaded ports; and to do so would be a violation of neutral character which, according to established usages, would subject the property engaged therein to the penalty of conf1scation It is proposed by the administration to make the blockade effective in order that its exercise may not be questioned
 It is for this reason that so many ves-