Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1898-04-27
AS TO PRIZES ALREADY TAKEN
PRESIDENTS PROCLAMATION MAY
RESULT IN RELEASING SOME.
Our COnsuls in Spain All Safe-Prep-
aratiOns for Organization OF
Volunteer Army and ReOr-
EanizatiOn of the Reg
ular Army Being
Rushed.


state department from the four quarters of
the globe to-day showing that the nations,
as a rule, are prepared to assume an at
titude of strict neutrality as between the
United States and Spain in the present
struggle. In most cases they were in an
swer to the identical note sent out by the
state department to all United States en-
bassies and legations instructing them to
inform the governments to which they were
accredited that war has existed since April
81
Great Britain has always taken an adj
vanced stand in the principles of neutral
ity. so that it was with great interest that
the news was received here Of the terms
of the neutrality proclamation issued in
London. On the whole, the officials are
disposed to take the view that the strict
adherance by Great Britain to these rules
will be rather more advantageous to the
United States than to Spain. particularly
as we are now operating, in the naval
sense, close to our own base of supplies,
and in all probability soon will cut Spain
off from the two bases that she now has in
the neighborhood of Cuba.
The president issued proclamation dur
ing the day laying down rules as to the
seizures of prizes, and the result, it is be-
lieved, will be the release of some of the
ships already captured. though it will be
for the prize courts to determine in each
case whether the conditions under which
the ships were captured are such to war
rant releases. The impression prevails that
the Buena Ventura, the first on the list Of
prizes. will be declared no prize.
The case of the Panama, whose seizure
was reported to-day, is more complicated,
owing to the fact that while otherwise ex-
empt, the ship was reported to have con-
tanned supplies for the Spanish army in
Cuba, which are contraband. However, it
may be said that, while the settlement Of
these questions will be left to the courts.
liberality should be shown in the applica-
ton of the laws where vessel is not con-
traband or attempting to run the blockade.
That is shown in the liberal terms of the
proclamation ITSELF by which the prize
courts must be guided.
1t is noted also that the administration has
not been deferred by any criticism in con-
gress from again formally pledging itself
to the nations of the world to refrain from
prvateering and to ABIDE by the declar alton
of Paris of 1856.
So far as is known. all the United States
consuls have made their way safely out
Of Spain. Consul Fay, at Dania, has re-
ported to the department from Lisbon;
Consul Bowen, at Barcelona, from Paris:
and Consul Carroll, at Cadiz, and Consul
Bartelam, at Malaga, from Gibraltar. The
department has assured itself that the 9TH
ers are safe.
Secretary Sherman retired finally to-day
from the position of secretary of state, and
his successor was confirmed in the person
of Judge Day. John Bassett Moore un-
doubtedly will be confirmed tomorrow in
Judge Days place. The latter is expected
to return to Washington in about two
days time.
The army reorganization bill became a
law during the day and the war department
officials lave begun to devise the best
means of carrying out the purposes of the
act. which will result in an increase of the
regular army to more than $1,000 men
In the war department, preparations went
on with ceaseless energy for the organza-
ton of the volunteer army. All of the OFF,
GERS were detailed who are to be sent to the
various states and territories 10 muster
the guardsmen into the service of the Unit
ed States.
The plans for the full organization of the
army were also perfected. To provide Off
GERS for the regular army and volunteers.
Secretary Alger ordered the assignment to
duty of all the cadets at the West Point
Military academy who would, in the ord-
nary course of events, have graduated In
June.
The greatest anxiety was shown at the
navy department for news from the block
aiding squadron. Notwithstanding the fire.
quent reports that come from two unoffi-
cial sources of engagements between the
fleet and the shore batteries, no word of
confirmation came officially. The three
prizes reported to-day to have been seized
by the fleet were not referred to in the
official dispatches, but the press reports
of the seizures were received with the
greatest satisfaction by the officers of the
department. who in some cases did not
hesitate to declare their envy of their more
fortunate brother officers with the fleet.
In fact, 1t is becoming very hard for Sec
retary Long to retain in the service of the
department the officers who are absolutely
required. in view of their earnest desire to
go to the front. A few days ago, for in
stance. Commodore Bradford. chief of the
equipment bureau, rendered his resignation
of that place and asked to be given war
ship. After considering the matter for
Il day or two, the secretary was obliged to
return the following answer:
My Dear Commodore sm In receipt