The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1898-04-27
Office TO NElGHBORS

Washington, April 2S.-The state de-
partment has conveyed notice 10 all OF
the powers and nations with which the
United States holds friendly relations OF
the declaration OF war yesterday by the
government OF the United States. This
is necessary formality in order 10 set
inmotion the neutrality laws in many
countries and to stop claims for dam
ages on the part of neutrals for vessels
detained and turned back at blockades
without due notice. The instructions,
which were sent to all OF the United
States legations abroad. directed atten-
ton to the fact that the war has existed
since April p, when the Spanish govern
ment broke off diplomatic relations in
order TO avoid accepting the ultimatum
at the hands OF Minister Woodford. The
text OF the instructions is as follaws:
Department Of State. April x. 1898
"a joint resolution OF congress. ar-
proved April 20. directed Intervention for
the pacihca ton and Independence Of the
island Of Cuba The Spanish government
on April q informed our minister at Ma
drid that It considered this resolution
equivalent to a declaration OF war and
that Il had accordingly withdrawn its
minister from Washington and ternin-
ated all diplomatic relations. Congress
has therefore by an act approved to-
day. declared a state of war exists be-
tween the two countries since and IN
Gliding April q. You viii inform the
government to which you are accredited
50 that its neutrality may be assured In
the existing war.
(signed) SHERMAN
Responses have already begun TO flow
in. First among all neutraIs 70 take cog
nizance % the situation and ~ the ex-
istence 81 war are the British colonies
Il may not be OF particular significance
or Importance, yet It goes in a measure
20 support the position Of this govern
n7eut that war actually existed before
the declaration by congress yesterday.
that the British colonies IN many cases
have acted and made their proclamations
OF neutrality in advance ofaction BY con
gross Thus x happens that IRE British
government ~ the Strait government a.
SinEspore issued they Proclamation yes
terdsy forenoon. The news vas contain /
ed IN the following czblegrzm 70 the
STATE department from United States
Consul Pratt - Singapore:
Secretary ~ State. Washington. q. c. /
Neutrality proclaimed here today
This dispatch. receivst ~ ~ yesterday /
afternoon. indicates that ;Ae Straits had
acted before congress had passed it, &C. I
ciarauon.
TIE state depsrtnen, officials have I
taken note % the serni-cn cisi s-a.suer, 4
rom Germany - the erect that ira, +
nation WI not a. prssen; Issue a ueu-
trs!ity proclamation They are no; very
much concerned. however. helisv4.z tha, 4
any advantage - - rsine5 81 Germany /
n RETAINING from adopting th4 s~1lzl 4
course 4. th5s respect vfIl - rather tech
nicsl than practical Certainly al q Ire (
advantages . - rssPeS - TIE urnIt~4 .
states from he enforcement q TIE Ger
many neutrality law would b claimed
ay ogF government and It e not eoah,ed /
m avs W. - ~ n operation 81 Ger
many whether Or rot = proclamation il
issued - this tina
London. Ap-f She Uaftsd sta.ez
s-nhassE57v. Coioael John Hay. to1ay 90
sciz,ly Informed ;hs British forssxa -
So that ia Eoits5 States lad csc.a--
C var aez.zs. Spain