The record-union., 1898-04-21
EvENTFUL
DAY AT
WASHINGTON,
President Signs The Gu
ban Resolution.
Also Sends Spain an Ultima
tum to Evacuate Cuba.
Minister Bernabe Demands, and Is
Given His Passports.
Expected That Minister isodfora VIII Be
Handed His Passports To-Day With
a Declaration That Diplomatic
Relations Have Ended.

WASHINGTON, April 20.-This was
day of events in the history of the
Cuban question. The signing by the
quiring Intervention in Cuba; the noti-
f1cation of that action to the Spanish
Minister here: the latter's demand for
his passports; the departments prompt
reN4y to that demand the departure of
the Spanish Minister, and the trans
mission Of our ultimatum that Spain
must evacuate Cuba and must make
answer by Saturday through Minister
Woodford, followed in quick succession.
The next step is Spain's answer. if she
is to make any, and the movement of
the United States army and navy on
Cuba
Early in the morning the execution of
the programme for the day began with
conference between Assistant Secre-
tary Day, ex-Secretary Foster and Sec
ond Assistant Secretary Adee, in which
the wishes Of the President and Cabi-
net as to the ultimatum We're reduced
to diplomatic form
The other events followed each other
with rapidity. The ultimatum was sent
to the Spanish Minister by Judge Days
personal messenger, Edward Savoy, one
Of the trusted employees of the State De-
n a T. tY1p nj ho
place in 1869 by Hamilton Fish. The
messenger was not kept waiting long at
the legation, but in the course of an
hour had returned to the State Depart
ment with the Minister'S application for
his passports. 1t was not until half
past three o'clock this afternoon that
Savoy made his second trip, carrying
with him the desired paper. This was a
passport for the Minister, his family and
suite.
AT first there was some expectation
at the State Department that a response
from Minister Woodford might be ex-
pected to-day. Later on, however, after
Judge Day had calculated the length of
time that would be consumed in the
cabling of the ultimatum to Minister
Woodford, it's translation into cipher
and re-translation, he became convinced
that it would be practically impossible,
owing to the difference in time between
Washington and Madrid to receive any
response to-day Therefore the follow
ing statement was posted at the depart
ment:
'0The text of the ultimatum to the
Spanish will be given out by Mr.. Porter.
Secretary to the President, at the White
House some time tomorrow probably"
The next move must now be made by
Spain, according to the department off
Gals. If the Spanish Government takes
view, as might possibly be concluded
from the action of the Minister here to-
day, that in language and in terms the
Congressional resolution is insulting, it
passports upon receipt of this comm IN
ication, and thus bring the negotiations
to a close and cause a breach of diplo-
matte relations within the next twenty
should neglect to return a satisfactory
answer before Saturday noon, that line
of policy will be quite as effective as a
positive act, inasmuch as it would
amount to refusal of the demands of
the United States. In such case the
President would proceed Immediately to
use the naval and military forces of the
United States to execute the will Of Con-
gress.
An outline of the policy to be followed
by this Government in the treatment of
neutrals and the matter of priyateering
is contained in the following statement
I'm the event of hostilities between
the United States and Spain, it will be
the policv of this Government not TO
resort to privateering. The Government
will adhere to the following rules:
"First-A neutral flag covers cargoes
with the exception of contraband of
war; second. neutral goods not contra
band of war are not liable to confiscation
under enemy's flag; third, blockades in
order to be binding, must be effective"
The President spent nearly all of the
afternoon with the prominent officials
discussing measures. Secretary Alger,
Secretary Long, General Miles, Gen
eral Schofield and Captain CROWN
shield were with him until nearly 5
O'Clock. General Miles brought with
him several maps and other documents,