The Goodland republic. [volume] (Goodland, Kan.) 1891-1907, 1898-04-29
SUMMARY OF EVENTS
The Powers Prepared to Assume
an Attitude of Strict Neutrality.
Proclamation Regarding Prize Seizures
Changes In the state Dspartment-Or-
EanIEation OF the VOIunteerArmy-
Capt aIahan to Report.

WASHINGTON, April 27.-Conditions
in Washington are rapidly settling
down to those Of actual war. Notices
came to the state department from the
four quarters Of the globe yesterday
showing that the nations as a rule are
prepared to assume an attitude Of
strict neutrality as between the United
States and Spain in the present strug-
gle Great Britain has always taken
an advanced stand in the principles of
neutrality, so that it was with great
interest that the news was received
here of the neutrality proclamation
issued in London On the whole the
officials are disposed to take the view
that the strict adherence by Great
Britain to these rules viii be rather
more advantageous to the United
States than TO Spain, particularly as
we now are operating in the naval sense
close to our own base of supplies and
In all probability viii cut Spain of
from the two bases that she now has
in the neighbOrhOOd Of Cuba
The president issued 4 proclamation
during the day laying down rules as
to the seizure Of prizes and the result
It is believed viii be the release of
some Of the ships already captured,
though it will be for the prize court
to determine In each case whether the
conditions under which the ships were
captured are such as to warrant re-
lease. The impression prevails that
the Buena Ventura, the first on
the list of prizes, viii be de-
clared no prize. The case of the
Panama, whose seizure was re-
ported yesterday, is more complicated,
owing to the fact that while otherwise
exempt, the ship was reported to have
contained supplies for the Spanish
army in Cuba, which are now contra
band. However, it may be said that,
while the settlement of these ques-
tons will be left to the courts, the ad-
ministratiOn believes the greatest lib
crafty should be shown in the appli-
cation Of the laws where a vessel is
not contraband or attempting 10 run
the blockade.
Secretary Sherman retired finally
yesterday from the position Of seere-
tary Of state and his successor was
confirmed in the person Of Judge Day.
John Bassett Moore undoubtedly viii
be confirmed to-day in Judge Days
place
The army reorganization bill be-
came a law during the day, and the
war department officials have begun
to devise the best means Of carrying
out the purposes OF the act, which viii
result in an increase Of the regular
army 70 more than 60, 600 men. In the
war department preparations went on
with ceaseless energy for the organ
izatiOn Of the volunteer army All Of
the officers were detailed who are to
be sent to the various states and terri
tories to muster the guardsmen into
the service Of the United States
The greatest anxiety was shown at
the navy department for news from
the blOckading squadron NOtwith-
standing the frequent reports that
come from two unofficial sources Of en-
gagements between the feet and the
shore batteries, no word Of cOnfrma-
ton came officially. The three prizes
reported yesterday to have been seized
by the feet were not referred to IN the
official dispatches, but the press re-
ports 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 feet.
Among the orders issued yesterday
was one directing Capt A P Mahan,
the author and world-renOwned au-
thority on naval tactics, to report for
duty at the navy department Capt
Mahan is a retired officer, and he viii
be assigned to a position on the
.e--4.~-- I7oa-1 D-oH, T,T-- F,a -vfT1 -
place Adm. Walker, for whom the
president and Secretary Long cherish
the highest regard on account Of his
professional ability, and who is to be
assigned to duty Of the highest impO--
lance IN the immediate future.