The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1898-04-29

Washington, April 26.-Conditions in
Washington are rapidly settling down
to those of actual war. Notices came
so the state department from the four
quarters Of the globe today showing
that the nations as a rule are prepared
TO assume an attitude of strict neu-
trality as between the United States
and Spain in the present struggle. In
most cases they Were in answer to his
identical note sent out yesterday by
the state department to all United
States embassies and legations, in
structing them to inform the govern
ments to which they We're accredited
that war has existed since April 21st
Great Britain always has taken an ad-
vanced stand in the principles of nea-
trality. so that it was with great in
tcrest that the news was received
of the terms OF the neutrality
proclamation issued in London. On
the whole officials are disposed to take
the View that a strict adherence by
Great Britian to these rules will be
rather more advantageous to the
United states than to Spain. particu-
larly we are now operating in the
naval sense cIOSe 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 negh'borhOOd
OF Cuba.
THE QUESTION OF PRIZES.
The president issued a proclamation
during the day laying down rules as
to the seizure Of prizes and the result
& Nhp1ipUp6 IA Df
some of the ships already captured,
though it will be for the prize courts
to determine in each case whether the
condition under which the ship was
captured are such as to warrant re
lease. The impression prevails that
the Beuna Ventura, the first on the
dist of prizes Will be declared no prize.
The case of the Panama, whose seizure
was reported today, is a more compli-
Gated one, owing to the fact that while
otherwise exempt the ship was report
ed to have contained supplies for the
Spanish army in Cuba which are con-
traband 1T is noted that the admins
tration has not been deferred by any
criticism i'm congress from formally
pledging itself to the nations of the
world to refrain from privateering and
abide by the declaration of Paris of
1856
CONSULS TO SPAIN SAFE.
So far as known all the United States
ronsuls have made their way safely
out of Spain. Consul Fay, at Dania,
has reported 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 others are safe.
CHANGES TN STATE DEPART
MF1NT.-
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 BaS-
sett Moore undoubtedly will be con-
1irmed tomorrow in Judge Days place.
The latter is expected TO return TO
Washington in about two days time.
ARMY REORGANIZATION BILL
RATIFIED.
The army reorganization bill became
a law during the day and the war de-
partment officials have 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 $4,000 men.
In the war department preparations
went on with ceaSeless energy for the
organization of the volunteer army.
a
to be sent to various states and terri
tories to muster the guardSmen into
the service of the United States. The
plans for the full Organization OF the
army We're also perfected. To provide
officers for THE regular army and Volun-
reers Secretry Alger ordered the as
signmenpt to duty of all cadets at the
West Point military academy who
would in the ordinary course of events
nave graduated in June.
The greatest anxiety was shown at
the navy department for news from
the blockading squadron. Notwhth-
standing the frequent reports that
came from two official source of en-
l gagenents between the heet and the
shore batteries no word OF confirmation
came officially The three prizes re-
ported today 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 win
.she grea test satisfaction by the oncers
of the depar tment who in some cases
did not hesitate to declare their envy
of their more fortunate brother ofn-
GERS with the fleet. In fact it is be-
coming very hard Tor Secretary Long
10 retain in the service OF the depart
an..nt the officers who are absolutely
required. in view of their earnest de-
sire to go ITO the front "A rev days
ago, for instance. Commodore BRAD
ford, chief Of the equipment pureau'
rendered his resignation or the place
and asked to be given a Warsnlp. AZ
fer considering the matter for day
or two, the secretary was oblged TO
ask Comnodore Bradford to W1tndraW