The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1898-04-26
CRY svvIciAL PAPER.
sEAY-fr.E. TUESDAY,. APRIi. -.
wan DECLARED wrrm SPAIN.

WAN DECLARED WIrn SPAIN.
The president has saved lot OF con-
fusion by dating the beginning OF war
back 10 the 21st day Of April. including
Sunday. II Is a very small matter that
the Nashville should be able 20 retain Its
prize. but that will be one Of the Incl
dental results. X states q matter OF
fact. because war had already begun.
Congress had authorised the president
TO Use the entire land and naval
forces OF the United States to en-
force a demand which was made I'M
mediateiy the president signed the reso-
buttons stating II. AZ q matter Of cour-
tesy the president gave the spanish gov
eminent until Saturday. April 30 within.
which to decide; but the Spanish gov
eminent elected not to avail itself af
that interval. but taking official cogni-
xance Of the action OF congress and Of
the president. anticipated the presensa-
ton OF the message extending the time
Madrid his passports,
The mere suspension OF diplomatic re-
lationa would not la tantamount to a
declaration Of war of itself; but IL In
equivalent when II Is preceded by such
an Act as that OF congress Immediately
prior thereto. The European govern
meuts viii now take notice that war Is
on. and that We shall expect them to OBJ
serve strict neutrality
This Is our first war With Spain. but
Il r. not by many The first serious
trouble we have had With that country.
The FIRST complication began with Presi-
dent Jefferson's purchase of Louisiana
in isoa The trouble arose over whether
the Spanish province Of West Florida
was included In that purchase. The col
ony Of the province of Louisiana had
passed between spain and France sew
eral times. and jefferson assumed, as
he had some right ia do that this conn
try was buying the tame territory from
France that had heen ceded to that
country by Spain. \ year later when
the United States undertook so estah-
iiah custom house at Mobile, In West
Florida. Spain set up claItn Ia some
Of the territory. The Spanish minister
Ut Washington was detected in attempt
ing 10 bride newspaper at philadelphia
to advocate Spanish boundary claims.
and our government demanded hts re-
call. The traahle Was eventually settled
by our purchasing the raoridas far
s,.ooo.ooa
In isis Spain failed 10 observe its
Great Britain. Gen Wilkinson was di-
rected tn occupy Mobile and part Of
West Florida Negotiations were then
on for the purchase If sae terrisstry. but
meantime runaway Slaves and hostile
Indians, especially Greeks, were causing
considerable trouble Gen. jackson was
ordered to take command In Georgia
against them. lie limited that If IL was
desirable be would clean the Span-
ish-swho were aiding and abetting the
Indians--out OF the t1arsdas, inside az
sixty days lie Was officially slsrecte., IN
essasias himself to his orders hat when
he got away beyoad reach Of authority
he made that celebrated war ~ his own.
which has done 50 much a. make him
famous. In Ave months. according II hi.
own journal. he had whipped the In
dams. restarea tranquility To the Dor
der and captured province from Spain.
with which we were Supposed To b, In
state CT peace.
For time Il looked as II war with
Spain could n2s he avoided rresiien;
Monroe aud his cabinet. With the eNcrp-
sion ot Iehn ousney Adams. then secre-
tary of state. were disposed 10 appease
the SpaNsaras hy making a sacrifice. Of
Gen. Jackson. We knew the result.
Monroe Is known ny his doctrine. su;
Andrew jackson bay his deeds. Carry
tnx out the desire of the government,
Tor an avoidance cs a war with Srasn
Adams sought ie sppease the Spausar.is.
bat ne did it in rtght vigorous way
re Informed she spanish sovernwen,
that - there seemed to have BEEN some