The daily morning journal and courier., 1898-04-22
"A zz|e zzusEss "a S : ; BLOCKADE OF HAVANA An Order Issued for North Atlantic Squadron to Proceed With
 Maneuvre. CONCERN FOR THE OREGON FINE BATTLESHIP NOV ON WAY TO KEY WEST.
CONCERN FOR THE OREGON
FINE BATTLESHIP NOV ON WAY TO
 KEY WEST.

and Dodge Spanish Torpedo Boat De- stroyer Temmerire Now at Buenos Ayres | Concentration of Troops-Woodford's Actions-If Spanish Fleet Appears in Cuban Waters the Blockade of Havana Will Have to be Abandoned. Washington, April 21.-War between the United States and Spain is a fact, though not yet officially declared so by congress. The stirring events of yesterday were succeeded to-day with rapidity by others of equal importance, eliminating in the afternoon in orders for the departure of the North Allan tic squadron for Havana. This prac- tica1ly means war, so that war between this country and Spain may be said to date from to-day. Two minutes after the opening of the state depart ment this morning came word from government, having anticipated and prevented his intention to present the | presidents ultimatum, he had asked | for his passports.
 Blockade of Havana. The administration in public state l ment announced it regarded the action of the Spanish government as ren- dering unnecessary further diplomatic action on the part of the United States and further stated that 1t regarded the course adopted by Spain as one plac- ing upon that country the responsi- bility of the cessation of further friendly relations An order was is- sued for the North Atlantic squadron to begin the blockade of Havana. Further than this nothing could be learned of the movements of ships off, cially.
 SpI endid Array of Vessels.
 The North Atlantic squadron under Captain Sampson's command makes splendid array of fine vessels, compris- ing battleships such as the Iowa and Indiana, monitors like the Puritan, Terror and Amphitrite, an armored cruiser like the New York, flagship,
 
 natl Marblehead and Montgomery, gunboats like the Vicksburg, Whining ton and Annapolis, regular torpedo boats such as the Ericsson, Cushing, Winslow and the like, not to speak of the large number of fast yachts and other vessels that have been added to the fleet by purchase.
 Competent to Blockade All Ports.
 This force is quite competent to blockade all the ports in Cuba, or at least all of the ports connected by rail with Havana and so likely to be used to supply that place, in the event of siege with food and munitions of war This statement is to be taken with the understanding that 1t does not contemplate the coming to Cuban waters of the Spanish fleet. In such case, however, the probable policy would be to abandon the blockade and endeavor to force the Spanish fleet to battle.
 Woodford's Actions.
 Minister Woodford's action during the day, as reported to the state de- partment in late telegram, indicated that he was following a carefully pre- pared programme. A significant feat llre of his message was the statement that the Spanish government notified him that it regarded the withdrawal of Minister Polo yesterday as terminat- ing diplomatic negotiations, showing that it was not disposed to accept the expressed intention of our government to continue MT. Woodford as medium of communication. MT. Woodford said he had instructed Consul Bowen at Barcelona to cause all American con- s11ls in Spain to immediately withdraw. He further stated that he had informed the Spanish government, after asking for his passports, that he had placed the American legation in Madrid and American interests in Spain generally in the hands of the British embassy The ambassador, Rt. Hon. Sir Henry Drummond Wolff, is not at present in Madrid, so American interests will be confided to the British charge de af- fairs, Sir George F. Bonham. To all intents and purposes this relieves the state department from further negotia- lions as to Cuba save those relating to privateering, neutrality observances and the like. It was found necessary to frame notice to the powers of the intention of our government to estab- fish blockade of Havana, a notifica- tion required by international law.