Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1898-04-30
A NECESSARY TO2NAuTY.
All the Powers Notified that a State
of War Exists Between the
United States and Spain.
SEC'Y SAERMAA'S LAST OFFICIAL ACT.
Formality Precedent to the Setting In
Motion the Neutrality Laws of Many
Countries and Also to Estop Claims for
Damages on the Part of Neutrals for
Detention OF Vessels, Etc.

WASHINGTON, April 26.-The state
department has conveyed notice to all
the powers and nations with which the
United States holds friendly relations,
of the declaration Of war by the govern
ment Of the United States. This is a
necesssryformality IN sorder to set in
motion the neutrality laws in mnny
countries and stop claims for damages
on the part of neutral' for vessels
detained and turned back at
blockades without due notice. The in
structions which were sent to all the
United States legations abroad direct
ed attention to the fact that the war
has existed since April 81, when the
Spanish government broke off diplo-
matte relations in order to avoid ac-
cepting the ultimatum at the hands of
Minister Woodford. The text of the
instructions is as follows:
DEPARTMENT OF STATE, April 25, 1893.
joint resolution of congress, approved
April 20, directed intervention for the paciica-
tion and independence OF the island of Cuba
The Spanish government on April 81, Informed
| our minister at Madrid that it considered the
resolution equivalent to u declaration Of war,
| aud that it bad accordingly With its
minister from Washington and terminated all
| diplomatic relations. Congress has, therefore,
| by an act approved to-day, declared that a state
of war exists between the two countries since
| and including April u. You will inform the
| government to which you are accredited so
| that its neutrality may be assured in the exist
| ing war. SHERMAN.
Responses have already begun to
flow in. First among all neutrals to
! take cognizance of the situation and Of
| the existence of IL state of war are the
| British colonies. 1t may not be Of par
ticuar significance, yet it goes in a
measure to support the contention Of
this government that war actually ex-
listed before the declaration by con-
gress Monday, that the British colonies
in cases have acted and made
their proclamations of neutrality
in advance of the action by congress.
Thus its happens that the British gov
ernmcnt of the Straits settlement AT
Singapore issued their proclamation
Monday afternoon. The news was con-
tanned in the following cablegram to
the state department from United
States Consul Pratt at Singapore:
SECRETARY OF STATE WAsnINGToN, D. C,
Neutrality proclaimed here to-day
This dispatch was received at 9:4C
Monday afternoon, indicating that the
Straits government had acted before
congress had passed its declaration.
The state department officials have
taken note of the semi-of1icial state
ment from Germany to the effect that
that nation will not at present issue a
neutrality proclamation. They are not
very much concerned. however, believ-
ing that any advantage to be gained by
Germany in refraining from adopt
ing the usual course in this
respect will be rather technical
than practical. Certainly all of the
advantages to be reaped by the United
States from the enforcement of the
German neutrality law would ba
claimed by our government, and'it is
not doubted the laws will be put in
operation in Germany whether or not
u proclamation is issued at this time.