The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1898-05-04
CHINA IS NOW NEUTRAL
PROCLAMATION ISSUED BY THE
ORIENTAL EMPIRE

-Ass Ny . .fssfs On s>

Kindness Of the Celestials in Delay
ing Action That Would Have
Robbed Dewey of Harbor OF
Refuge Until Such Time as He
Had Captured a Base Appreciated
ia OmciaI Circles.
WASHINGTON, May S.-China issued
her neutrality proclamation today, so
there is now no place left on the
Asiatic coast open to the free use of
the war vessels or either spain OF the
United States.
This is rather remarkable in that it
marks the first action of this kind On
the part of China, which has never be-
fore issued a neutrality proclamation,
and the naval officers are duly CRATE
full for the considerations shown by
the Chinese government for withhold
ing the issuance of the decree until
informed that the Americans had ac-
quired base in the Philippine ISL
ands.
The French embassy is the only
foreign establishment in Washington
which has received Official dispatches
on the battle of Manila. These came
from the French ambassador at Mad
rid and were drawn from Spanish re-
ports.
1t was stated from Berlin that the
foreign office there had cabled reports
10 ell the German embassies, but the
German embassy here had not received
a word on the subject up to late
hour today.
The British, French and German gov
ernments have consuls at Manila, but
the cable interruption cuts them off
from any communication with their
governments.
Who has cut the cable is a source
of much speculation. leading diplo-
mat said circumstances would indicate
that the cutting had been done by
Spanish officials, on instructions from
Madrid, in order to stop the transmits
sion of further news of the disaster
there and in that way calm the storm
of popular Indignation at Madrid.
No News From Manila.
1t is thought to have been impossible
for Commodore Dewey to have cut the
cable as he was unacquainted with
its location fifty miles seward, and
moreover, there appears to have been
no motive for the interruption of cable
communication on his part.
Repeated rumors were af1Oat during
the day to the effect that the British
embassy had been advised of the fall
of Manila just before the cable COM
munication broke. AT 5 o'clock this
evening Sir Julian declared that he
had absolutely no such information.
The Cuban authorities here expect
to receive early informa ton direct from
the camp of Gen. Gomez. brought by
Brig. Gen. NuneZ. who left here about
ten days ago and succeeded in landing
with a party and making his way to
Gomez's camp.
The party was a small one and took
along some supplies, but it's main pur-
pose was to open communication with
Gomez and bring word as to his re-
sources and readiness for an aggressive
movement. Officials of the Cuban dele
cation say Gen. NuneZ is likely to
come out to one of the American war,
ships on its return trip, and thence to
Key West to make reports to the au
thorities here.
Secretary Albertin is Cuban charge
d'affaires al present. President Palma
and Secretary Quesada being in New
York.
The proclamation directed against
the Spanish residents of the United
States, by the state department, has
not yet been issued nor is it certain
that it will issue; that probability de-
pending upon the course pursued by
= the Spanish government in their treat
ment of American citizens in Spain.