Evening journal., 1898-04-30
SPANS WARSHIPS
They Have Sailed From the
Cape Verde Islands
at Last.
DESTINATION UNKNOWN.
Report Of a Collision Of Two Spanish
Torpedo Boats.
NO NEWS OF COMMODORE DEWEY
Asiatio Squadron VIII Probably Reach
Manila Tornorrow-A Spanish Version
of the Bombardment of Matan-
zas-The Paris Is Safe.

zas-The Paris Is Safe.
WASHINGTON, April 3O.-Yesterday
was a day OF alarming rumors. running
all the way from the blowing up Of
big monitor to the detection and pun
ishment OF traitors, but fortunately all
OF them turned out on inquiry TO be
without foundation. Actual events of
Importance were few in number. The
news OF the day Of most interest was
the departure from Cape Verde OF the
Spanish feet the stay Of which at St.
Vincent has been source Of anxiety on
the part OF the officials here because it
seemed to indicate the sympathy OF
Portugal for Spain might lead her to
wink at a violation of neutrality laws
in favor of Spain. Late in the after
noon n cablegram came to the state de-
partment from Cape Verde, bearing no
signature. announcing that four battle
ships and three torpedo boats had
started north and some OF the trans
ports for Cuba and that the northern
fleet returned shortly, having been in
collision. Because there was no sigma
ture attached the officials did not know
what Importance to attach to this mes
sage. as these are not times TO accept
what appears TO be information without
close scrutiny.
Captain Sampson sent a telegram rel
ative to the firing at the Matanzas
forts, but it was disappointlngly lacking
I'm detail The few words contained In
the dispatch merely went to confirm the
official view that the affair was nothing
more than a naval reconnaissance.
No news came yesterday from Admi-
raj Dewey's squadron, now on its way
to the Philippines to do battle with the
Spanish feet one officer pointed out
that II Admiral Dewey succeeded in de-
feating the Spanish fleet the Spanish
officials who control the cable connect
ing the island with the rest of the world
In all probability may suppress the
news or distort the facts into Spanish
victory. Presuming that the admiral
Is bound directly for Manila, the calcu-
lations made at the navy department
show he VIII arrive about o'clock this
morning. Manila time, which Is about
II hours earlier than our own.
The pressure continues unabated on
the war department for changes in the
plans already announced as to mobili-
zation Of thevolunteer troops. and very
much against its will and Judgment the
department Is making some concessions
I'm this matter.
A large number Of callers are bringing
forward candidates for the many pluma
within the gift Of the president and
Secretary Alger in the shape Of ap-
polntments TO grades above regimental
in the army. General Lee and General
Dodge spent a good part OF the day IN
conference with officials giving color
TO the reports that they are among
those selected for appointment as major
generals. The announcement that the
State Of Texas. laden with supplies for
the reconcentrados. is destined for sa-
qua has led 10 the surmise that It Is
probably this port instead Of Matanzas
which has been selected for the land
ing place of the first division of Unit
ed States troops Regarding the harm
less growls that appear In the European
papers and threats to interfere to pre-
vent the United States forces from
blockading the Philippines It may be
stated that this was fully expected
During the civil war there were great
many attempts on the part OF European
nations TO disregard our blockades and
threats of Interference. all Of which
came 20 naught from the firm attitude
assumed by the secretary Of state. In
the present case the conditions of the
Cuban blockade are much more liberal
toward foreign powers than ever impos-
ed before. In anticipation Of the action
OF the German commercial interests In
combining TO secure exemption from
search for their mail steamers II Is
pointed out that the president In his
proclamation. declaring the existence OF
war explicitly announced that the voy-
ages Of mail steamers are not TO be in
terfered with except on the clearest
ground Of suspicion of a violation OF law
IN respect TO contraband or blockade.
Viscount de Santo-Thyrso, the Portu-
guese minister. looked over the press
cable dispatch from Lisbon giving the
substance OF the neutrality decree
gazetted there yesterday and said n
was evidently accurate and covered the
entire subject. He had not. however
up 20 late hour yesterday received an
official notification OF the neutrality de.
cree.
The viscount says that article 3. which
permits belligerents to make q short
stop at Portuguese ports, probably will
be better understood by saying that bel.
ligerents will not be permitted TO max,
long stays at Portuguese ports Trnda,
the usual rules Of international law IN,
stay is likely to be confined to a dav q,
two. In this connection the ministe,
drew attention 20 the privileges permit
ted when warships of both belligeren
nations were in the same port In tina
case If the warship Of one power leav,
port, the warship OF the other powe
cannot leave in pursuit within "a hours
that much time being allowed the shi,
first departing to go on her way with
out molestation. Portugal has beel
very insistent upon this particular rule
and a notable instance Of IL occurre
when the famous Confederate privatee
Alabama was at Lisbon during the civi
war A United States ship entered Lis
bon harbor while the Alabama wa
there, and the Alabama immediatel
withdrew. The United States ship an
parently started in pursuit. whereupo
the Portuguese batteries fired warnin
guns and were prepared to make arme