The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1898-04-27
ACTUAL WAR EXISTS.
Departments at Washington Get
Down to Business.
GREAT BRllAlN'S ADVANCED STAND,
Her Neutrality Acts Arc Favorable
to United States.
WORK FOX THE PRIZE COURTS
All Seizures Made Must Be Fully
Investigated.
WEST POINT CADETS GRADUATED
They Can serve with The Regular
Army mud the Volunteers.
Naval orders Issued.

l. washington, April '26 The conditions IN
Washington are rapidly settling down to
those OF actual war. Notices came to the
! state department today showing that the
nations as a rule are prepared TO assume
| an attitude of strict neutrality as between
| tho United States and Spain in the pres
| ent struggle. In most cases they were In
| answer to the identical note sent yesterday
! 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 u.
Great Britain always has taken an ad-
vanced stand in the principles OF neutral
ity so that it was with great interest that
the rews was received here OF the proc
lamation issued in London. On the whole
the officials are disposed to take the view
that strict adherence by Great Britain
to these rules VIII be rather more advan-
tageous to the United States than to Spain,
particularly as we are now operating l.
the naval sense close TO our own base OF
supplies and in all probability soon Will
cut Spain off from the bases which she
now has in Cuba.
The president issued proclamation dur
ing the day laying down the rules as to
the seizure of prizes and the results, it is
believed, will be the release OF some OF the
rpanish vessels already captured, though
1t viii be for the prize court in each case.
whether the conditions under which The
Shirs were captured are such as to war
rant the release. to decided. The impress
sion prevails that the Buena Ventura, the
first on the list, will be declared prize.
The Panama. whose seizure WAS reported
toea y. us mere complicated owing TO the
fact that. While otherwise exempt, the ship
was represented TO haze contained sup
plies for the Spanish army in Cuba which
are con:raband. However it may be sas
that while the settlement OF these ques-
tons viii be LETT TO the courts, the admin
stration believes the greatest liberality
should be SHOWN In the Interpretation oi
the laws where vessel has no contraband
goods. That is shown in the liberal terms
of the proclamation itself by which the
prize courts must be guided
1t is no,ed that the administration has
not been deferred by any criticism OF con-
gross from again formally pledging itse
to the nations OF the world TO refrain
laration of Paris of 1860.
SO far as is known all the United States
consuls have made their way safely on
q Spain.
Secretary Sherman retired finally today
from the position OF secretary OF state and
his successor was confirmed in the perian
OF Judge Day. John d. Moore undoubtedly
will be confirmed tomorrow in Judge Days
place. Ths, latter is expected to return 10
Washington in about two days.
The army reorganization bill becomes a
law during the day and the war department
officials have begun to devise the hest
means of carrying out the purposes OF the
act which will result In an increase OF tue
army to more than 1900 men.
Inc plans OF the fun organization o. the
army were also perfected. 10 provide ciii-
ctrs for the regular army end vCirliGc:s,
Secretary Alget ordered the assignment ~
duty OF all the cadets at West Point VINO
would In the ordinary course OF eyeiss nave
graduated in June
1he greatest anxiety was shown nj II
aiding squadron. Notwithstanding the fire.
quenr reports that come from two uncti-
ctal sources OF engagements between The
fleet and the shore batteries no wo.I OF
confirmation came officially.
The three prizes reported tUlay to have
been seized by the fleet we're not referred
TO In the official dispatches. but the press
rerorts OF the seizures were received WIN
the greatest satisfaction by The officers Of
the department. who. in some cases. did
not hesitate 10 declare their envy OF their
more fortunate brothers with III" fleet.
In fact. II Is becoming very hard for Sec
rotary Long to retain discipline In the de-
department officers who are absolutely re-
ouired In view OF their earnest desire TO go
TO the front.
Among the orders ISSUED today was onr
directing Captain a. l.. Mahan, au.hnr ana
world -renowntd authority or naval tactics.
TO report for duty al the navy department.
CAPTAIN Mahan Is a retired officer ana VIII
he assigned to position on the strategic
beard. Probably he viii replace Admiral
Walker for whom the president ana Sec
retary Long cherish the highest regard on
account OF his professional ability ana WHO
q to be assigned to the duty u highest
importance In the immediate future.
on the recommendation OF Captain Lem
ley. Judge advocate general. Secretary Lrrg
today directed the release from Boston
naval prison OF twenty eight sailo-s. TIE
ldepartment believes that conditions warrant
their restoration to active service.
II appears that the assignment nj Rear
Admiral Erben, retired 10 relieve Com
mapdfr Elmorc. In charge Of the MOSQUITO
fleet. Nss caused by the III health o. COM
msndeY EIniore.
49, s>r,,l~~ d