New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-04-22
FACE TO FACE WITH SPAIN.
ALL RELATIONS SEVERED.
CAPTAIN SIMPSONS FL LEET ORDERED
TO BLOCKADE HAVANA.
VOLUNTEERS TO BE CALLED FOR TO-DAY.

THE PRESENT SITUATION NEITHER PEACE NOR
wAR-ACTUAL HosTILITIDs EXPECTED TO
BEGIN TOMORROW OR sUNDAY-wAR
MEASURES PASSED By CONGRESS
THE DAY IN WASHINGTON
CROWDED WITH STIR
RINa INCIDENTS.
fBY TELEGRAPH To TRIBUNEl
Washington. April 21.--As was anticipated IN
yesterdays dispatches tC The Tribune, the hnai
rupture Of relations between the United states
and Spain prcciptated today, not by a
formal refusal on Spains part to accede TO the
percmptory demands made upon her ny this
Government, bat by the dismissal, without
comment or explanation OF Minister Wood1ord
from his pos, at Madrid General Woodford re-
ceived notice this morning from the Spanish
Minister Of Foreign Affairs informing him that
diplomatic relations between the two countries
were at an end. and that his mission at the
Spanish capital must be considered closed Ac-
cOrdingly. without having had an opportunity TO
present 10 the SaGasta Cabinet the ultimatun
telcgraphed to him yesterday afternoon. the
American Minister was obliged to ask for pass
ports and intake his way across the boundary to
France.
The unexpectedly prompt dismissal Of Cen
cral Woodford has given color to the suspicion
current here yesterday that it was Spain's pur-
pose from the first 10 make the presentation or
This countrys ulimaum a diplomatic imposs-
hility and thus put the United states In the
attitude of attempting Intervention In Cuba
without due notice 10 the Spanish Government
Of the purpose and motives of It's interference
In Madrid the plan worked perfectly. for Min
lsier Woodford was to-day sent across the bor
der with the American ultlmatum remaining in
his pocket undelIvercd.
SPANISH CABINETS SCHEME BLOCKED
But the Spanish Cabinets scheme to fore
stall the presentation Of the American demand
for the evacuation OF Cuba was effectively
blocked in Washington, FOR with an eye to such
n contingency the President sent yesterday 10
Schor Polo de- Bcrnabe n copy Of the Cuban
uiimaium before the Intervention resolution OF
Congress had been signed. and before that wary
official had felt himself justified In terminating
his mission by asking for safeconduct to
Canada
The withdrawal Of each countrys diplomatic
representative from the others capital and the
consequent cessation OF friendly intercourse
without a definite declaration from either side
Of actual hos,ilites leaves the two nations face
10 face tonight in an attitude which can be
described as neither that of peace nor that Of
war Though the North Atlantic Squadron
which has been lying ready nj Key West for
months has ai last been ordered to begin the
blockade Of Cuba twenty four hours yet remain
In which. according 10 the terms OF The Presl-
dents ulfimatum OF Thursday, Spain may yet
consider the expcdlency Of conforming to the
wishes Of this Government and preparing for
peaceful withdrawal Of her naval and military
forces from that island.
NEITHER PEACE NOR WAR
In one sense therefore, war already exists;
IN another il cannot be- held 10 exist until after
the expiration OF the term set for the receipt OF
Spain's answer. noon Of Saturday. April %.
That the American Navy will not engage in
actual hostllltes until Saturday or Sunday next
seems certain II will merely undertake n pa
trol Of the approaches to the chief Cuban ports.
for the purpose of turning back vessels des-
tined for those ports laden with provisions or
SUPPLIES which might be of use in sustaining
the Spanish military forces now in Cuba.
Doubtless much manTuvrng will be rcsorted 10
To determine which country shall fire the first
hostile shot for. though war is accepted on
both sides "a inevitable. an actual declaration
of hostties Is scarcely 10 be expected now
from either nation.
Reference is made in other dispatches to the
plans for a campaign by sea which have so far
been adopted by the naval authorities Evi-
IDENTIFY nothing further than strict blockade
of Cuban ports will be attempted for the pres
ent. uncertainty as to the destination of the for
mi,lablc Spanish fleet. which will now have to
leave the Cape Vcrd Islands. making any
tended disposition of the forces available in
the Atlantic undesirable.
ORGANIZING AN ARMY OF INVASION.
In tine mean time the collection and organiza-
ton of n land force equal to the task of occu-
pying Cuba Will be pushed with all possible
energy The mobilization Of the regular troops
on or near the Gulf coast having now been
practically completed. the Administration is
prepared TO issue n call for volunteers to fill
up the ranks Of the proposed army OF invasion.
A proclamaiiOn will be issued to morrow by the
President summoning the Governors Of the
various States TO furnish volunteers to the
number of 100000 Each State Will be ex
pcctcd 10 supply n quota proportlonatc to It's
nouulation. and under the terms of the Nolun-
tecr bill. which has now passed both the Sen
ate and the House of Representatives the or
eauizcd militia forces of each may practically
be turned over in toto to the National Govern
mcnt The Senate today. in approving the Vol
untccr bill reduced the fixed term Of enlistment
to one ycar and made a few other unmportant
changes: SO that the amended measure may not
reacb the President for Al day or two. 1T is
SIRE however to receive his signature in time
to allow the troops furnished by the States to
be organized and ofiicercd under It's provisions.
The House Of Representatives will also prob
ably take up for consideration to omorrow the
bill now pending In the Committee Of Military
Affairs for the increase Of the strength of the
Regular Army in time OF war to something like
re ooO mon This measure will undoubtedly