The Yale expositor. (Yale, St. Clair County, Mich.) 1894-current, 1898-04-29
SPAIN BREAKS AWAY.
Gives Minister Woodford His Passports
Thus Forcing the Issue To War.

Gives Minister woodford His Passports
Thus Forcing the Issue to War.
Washington: War between the United
States and Spain is fact, though
not yet officially declared so by
congress. The state department re-
ceived a cablegram from Minister
Woodford at Madrid stating that he
had been handed his passports and
had been notified that official relations
between the United States and Spain
were ended. The cablegram said that
he had been given the passports before
he had had an opportunity To present
the ultimatum transmitted to him for
submission to the Spanish government,
the delivery of the ultimatum to Min
lister Polo y Bernabe having been ac-
cepted by the Spanish government as a
formal announcement on our part.
The administration in public state
ment announced that it regarded the
action of the Spanish government as
rendering unnecessary further diplo-
matte action on the part of the United
States, and further stated that it re-
garded the course adopted by Spain as
one placing upon that country the re-
sponsibility for the breach of friendly
relations.
Immediately upon receiving his pass
ports Minister Woodford placed the
American legation in Madrid and
American interests in Spain generally
in the hand of the British embassy.
He then instructed Consul General
Bowen, at Barcelona, to cause all the
Americans consuls in Spain to immedi-
ately withdraw from the country, and
at p. IN. Mr.. Woodford boarded a
train which carried HIM from Madrid
to France. An immense crowd had
gathered at the station composed of all
classes. Shouts of "Viva Espana,"
resounded throughout the station
until the train was fairly outside.
This was not meant as kindly fare
well, but strong force of police and
civic guards maintained order. A de-
tachment of civil guards accompanied
Gen. Woodford to the frontier. The
retiring minister maintained his usual
calmness. but looked worn and IA
tirued.
liaSty conferences were held at the
White House and Secretary of the Navy
Long urged that the flying squadron
should at once sail south from Hamp-
ton Roads and that Capt SIMPSONS
fleet at Key West should be ordered to
Havana. The special cabinet meeting
also determined how to begin the exc
cution of the plan of campaign already
prepared by the strategic boards of the
army and navy departments. The inn
mediate result was the order for the
North Atlantic squadron to begin the
blockade of Havana and all the ports
in Cuba or at least ali of those connect
ing by rail with Havana, and so likely
TO be used TO supply that place in the
event of siege with food and munitions
of war.
The North Atlantic squadron under
Capt. SIMPSONS command makes a
splendid array of fine vessels. compris-
ing battleships such as the Iowa and
Indiana, monitors like the Puritan,
Terror and Amphitrite; armored cruis-
ers like the New York, flagship, pro-
tected cruisers, such as the Detroit,
Cincinnati, Marblehead. and Montgom-
cry; gunboats like the Vicksburg, Will
mington and Annapolis; regular tor
pedo boats as the Ericsson, Cushing,
Winslow, not to speak of the large
number of fast yachts and other vessels
that have recently been added to the
fleet by purchase.
The news of the actual beginning of
war was received with gravity at the
department and there were many spec
ulations as to the destination of the
Spanish squadron. One suggestion
was that it was heading to cut off the
fine battleship Oregon, now on it way
from the Pacific coast around TO join
Capt. SIMPSONS command.