New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-12-06

! simultaneously with TINS COMMUNICATE" ~ ''''
| Spanish Minister here. General Woooioro 'he
! American Minister at Madrid. was tele srapheo
confirmation OF the text Of the Joint resolution.
! and directed to Communicate IT to the Govern
| ment OF Spain with the formal demand that It
nj once relinquish its authority and government
IN the island of Cuba and withdraw It's forces
,herefrom. coupling this demand with the an
rouncen,ent of tie intentions of this Govern
p,ent as TO the future OF the island. in con-
forn,jtv with the fourth clause OF the resolu-
ton ard giving Spain until noon OF April 20
to reply.
That demand although. above shown. Of
fcially made known to the Spanish Envoy here
was not delivered at Madrid. After the instruc-
ton reached General Woodford on the morning
Of Apri! n but before he could present it, the
spanish Minister of State notified him that upon
the Presidents approval of the joint resolution
the Madrid Government regarding the act as
equivalent to an evident declaration or war,
had ordered its Minister IN Washington to With
draw thereby breaking off diplomatic relations
between the two countries and ceasing all OF
fetal communication between Their respecuNe
representatives,. General Woo9ioru tnsneup pp
demanded his passports and quilted Madrid the
THE WAR BEGINS
Snain having thus denied the demand Of the
United States and initiated that complete form
Of rupture OF relations which attends a state
OF war the executive powers authorized by the
resolution were at once used by me to meet the
enlarged contingency Of actual war between
sovereign states. On April % proclaimed
blockade OF the north coast OF Cuba. including
ports on said coast between Cardenas and Bahia
Honda and the port of Cienfuegos. on the south
coast of Cuba and on the I'D ! called for volun-
teers 10 execute the purpose Of the resolution.
By my message of April % the Congress was
informed Of the situation. and l recommended
formal declaration Ct the existence OF state
of war between the United States and Spain.
The Congress accordingly voted on the same day
The act approved April -, lS9S declaring the
existence Of such war from and iHcludlng the
DIST day Of April and re-enacted the provision
Of the resolution Of April 20 directing the
President 10 use ali the armed forces Of the
Nation TO carry that act into effect. Due noth-
cation Of the existence Of war as aforesaid was
given April % by telegraph to all the Gov
crnments with which the United states MAIN
tain relations, in order that their neutraAy
might be assured during the war. The various
Governments responded with proclamatons ol
neutrality. each after its own methods II is
not among the least gratifying incidents OF tne
impartially discharged by all. often under deli
cate and difficult circumstances.
RULES OF THE DECLARATION OF PARIS
ADOPTED.
In further fulnlment az international duty 7
issued April % 1898. a proclamation announc-
ing the treatment proposed to be accorded 10
vessels and their cargoes as 10 blockade con-
traband the exercise OF the right of search. and
the immunity Of neutral flags and neutral goods
under enemy's flag. similar proclamation
was made by the Spanish Government. In the
conduct of hosttie5 the rules OF the Declara-
ton of Paris. including abstention from resort
TO privateering, have accordingly been observed
By both helligerents. although neither was
party 10 that declaration.
Our country thus, after an interval of hall
century Of peace with all nations. found itselt
engaged in deadly conflict with foreign enemy.
Every nerve was strained TO meet the emer-
genCy. The response TO the initial can TOT
1875 600 volunteers instant and complete as
was also the result of the second call or May
-. for 10000 additional volunteers Ihe RANKS
Of the Regular Army were increased TO the HIM
its provided by the act Of April u, mo
The enlisted force of the Navy on the loth odF
Of August. when ii reached its maximum, mum
bered y 123 men and apprentices. One hrndred
and three vessels were added to the Navy ny
purchase. was presented to the GovernmeH,
one leased. and the four vessels OF the lnterna-
tional Navigation Company. the st faul. the
ST Louis the New-YOrk and the Paris, were
chartered In addition to these. the revenue
cutters and lighthouse tenders were turned over
TO the Navy Department. and became tempo
rarily part Of the auxiliary Navy.
FIGHTING STRENGTH OF THE NAVY.
The medium effective fighting force Of the
was as follows
-Four bcttle-ships Of the first class. one battle
ship Of the second class. two armored cruisers,
six coast defence monitors. one armored ram,
twelve protected cruisers. three unprotected
cruisers eighteen gunboats. dynamite
cruiser eleven torpedo boats, vessels of the old
Navy including monitors. fourteen. Auxiliary;
Eleven auxiliary cruisers, twenty-eight con-
verted yachts. tWenty-seven converted 'uss'
tiers. seven lighthouse tenders and nineteen ms
ce!ianeous vessels.
COAST DEFENCE.
Much alarm was felt along our entire Atlantic
seaboard lest some attack might be made by tn"
enemy. Every precaution taken to prevent
possible injury to great cities lying along
the coast Temporary garrisons were provided
drawn from the State militia; infantry and light
batteries were drawn from the voluntee: fore"
About 10000 troops were thus employed. The
coast signal service established for OBJ
serving The approach Of an enemys ships to the
coast OF the Unitei States and the Life saving
and Lighthouse servicec co-operated. which en-
aoled the Navy Department to have all portions
Of the Atlantic Coast from Maine to Texas.
under observation
THE auxiliary navy was created under the au-
thority al Congress. and was Offered and
manned by the Naval Militia Of the several
States. This organization pdtroUed the coast,
ard performed the dIty Of second line of de-
| fence.
Under the direction OF the Chief of Engineers
| submarine mines placed at the most ex-
posed points Before the outbreak of the war
permanent mining classmates and cable gal
| eries had been constructed at nearly all i'm
| portant harbors Most Of the torpedo material
be found In the market. and had TO
| he specially manufactured. Under date Of April
| 10 district officers were directed to take all
preliminary measures, shot OF the actual at
| tachng OF tho loaded mines the cables. and
| on April - Geographic orders were issued TO
place the loaded mines in position.
| The aggregate number Of mines placed was
| 1.l:}J. AT the principal harbors from Maine 10
| California. Preparations were also made for
| the planting OF mines at certain other harbors
but owing TO the early destruction OF the Span
i ish c.at .Ea.. .ai.ns moi Lla.GA