The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1898-04-27

WASHINGTON. April a.--Tfle conditions
in Washington are rapidly settling down
10 those OF actual war. Notices came to
the state department from the four quar-
ters OF the globe today, showing that the
nations. a rule. are prepared 10 assume
an attitude OF strict neutrality. as between
the United States and Spain In the present
struggle. In moss cases they were In an
swer 10 the identical note sent out yester-
day by the state department TO all United
States embassies and legations instructing
them TO inform the governments to which
they were accredited that war has existed
since April q.
Great Britain has always taken an ad-
vancel stand In the principles of neutral
itv so that IT was with great Interest that
the news was received here OF the terms OF
the neutrality proclamation issued In
London.
On the whole the OFFICIALS are disposed to
take the view that the strict adherence BY
Great Britain 20 these rules will ~ rather
mere advantageous to the United States
than 10 Spain. particularly as we are now
operating In the naval sense close TO our
own base OF supplies. and in all probability
soon viii cut or Spain from the two bases
that she now has in the neighhorhood of
Cuba
The president issued a proclamation dur
Ing the day laying down rules as TO the
seizure of prizes, and the result. /, is be-
lieved. Will be the release OF some of the
ships already captured. though it will be
for the prize courts to determine In each
case whether the conditions under which
the ships were captured are such as to war
rant release. The impression prevails that
the Bueua Ventura. the first on the list OF
prizes will be declared no prize.
The case of the Panama. whose seizure
was reported today. is more complicated,
owing TO the fact that while otherwise
exempt, the ship Was reported TO have
contained supplies for the Spanish army
in Cuba. which are eontraband.
However, il may be said that while the
settlement OF these questions will be left
10 the courts. the administration believes
that great llherality should be shown in
the applca ion of the laws. where a ves-
sci IS uoi con;raband or attempting to
run the blockade. That is shown In the
liberal terms OF the proclamation Itself
by which the prize courts must he guided.
1t is noted also that the administration
has not been deferred by any criticism in
congress from again formally piedging
Itself 20 the nations OF the world to re-
fraln from privateering and abide hy the
declaration Of Paris OF iss6,
80 far as is known al the United States
consuls have made their way safely out
Of Spain Consul Fay. at Dania, has re-
ported 20 the department from Lisbon.
Consul Bowen. at barcelona. from Paris.
and Consul scarroll. AZ csasz. and Consul
Rarte,anA az Malaga from Gibraltar
TIE department; has assured itself that
the others are safe
Secretary sherman retired finally today
from tbs position Of secretary OF state.
and his successor was confirmed In the
persau of Judge Day Johr Bassets Moore
undoubtedly will be confirmed tomorrow
In Judge Days place. The latter is ex-
peesed 10 return TO Washington in about
TWO days time.
The army reorga aiZatlon bill. became a
law during the day and the war depart
mant officials have hegun TO devise the
bes; means OF carrying out the purposes
Of the acs. which will result In an in
crease Of the regular army 10 more than
- 90 men.
In the war department preparations
went ON with energy fer the organization
~ IRE volunteer army All the officers were
detailed who are TO be- @snt 10 the various
states aasi territories 70 muster The guards
me-, snts the service of the United States.