The record-union., 1898-05-24

SHOWS the notable incident in American
history when the British Commander,
Lord CORVALLIS, surrendered to Gen
eral Washington. The picture is about
ten feet long and six feet high, the
figures being life size
The announcement by way of Paris
that the Italian Government has pro-
tested against the continuance of the
blockade of the Cuban coast, on the
ground that it was ineffective, met a
prompt denial at the State Depart
ment, and it can be stated definitely
that neither in Washington or Rome
have any representations on this sub
ject been addressed to the United
States Government. AS a matter of
fact, Italy probably is the maritime
Power of all others with which the
United States has had absolutely no
correspondence in the slightest degree
connected with the Cuban blockade. AS
to the allegation that the blockade is
ineffective, it is said that, on the con-
trary, it has been singularly success
full, and that so far as known not a
single neutral ship subject to deten-
ton has passed the lines without the
express consent of our Government
The Montserrat it is true, did enter
ICienfuegos harbor before our blockad-
ing ships had time to get around to
the south side of Cuba and establish
the blockade, and she did manage to
get out at night. But she is a Span
ish ship, and Spain is perhaps the only
nation in the world that has lost the
power to protest against a blockade,
being a combatant herself. 1t is only
for neutT I powers to enter such pro-
tests, an. none of them has yet the
slightest lretext for such action.
With the beginning of the present
week all Spanish vessels in the United
States which sailed after the outbreak
of war are subject to seizure as we'll as
high seas, save where they left port
for the United States before April Dist
last. The Presidents proclamation of
war allowed such ships lying in our
ports or bound for them thirty days IN
which to discharge cargoes. and also
insured them safe passage home. That
period of time expired last Saturday
might. This, it is expected, will tend
to free the State Department from
complications.
Under the energetic management of
Captain Bartlett. who was recalled
from the retired list into the active
service of the Navy Department for
the purpose, there has just been per-
fected a most admirable and thorough
system of coast signaling for war pur-
poses. The Navy Department itself
established thirty stations on the
coast, manned by the naval militiamen.
Then it called into service 1,060 light
house employees and 1000 life saving
men, making a total force of over
3,0U0 men who patrol the great shore
Ene from Bar Harbor to Galveston
night and day, and in all weathers,
watching for the approach of an enemy
or for signal from any passing Unit
ed States warship. 1t has been ar
ranged that all of these watchers can
communicate in the course of a few
minutes with telegraph or telephone
line, and all center in the office of Cap
tain Bartlett in the Navy Department.
who is thus prepared to give the War
Board instant notice of any significant
ship movements on the coast
1t is said at the Navy Department
that it will be at least five days before
the Monterey can be started on her
long journey from San Francisco for
Manila, the delay being on account of
the preparations that must be made for
the very exceptional service required of
the vessel.