The evening herald. [volume] (Shenandoah, Pa.) 1891-1966, 1898-04-27
jestiC Last Monday.

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 show
ing that the nations as a rule are pre-
pared to assume an attitude of strict
neutrality as between the United States
and Spain in the present struggle. In
most cases they We're in answer to the
Identical note sent out on Monday 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 81.
The president issued a proclamation
during the day laying down rules as
to the seizure of prizes, and the result,
it is believed, 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 ship was
captured are such to warrant release.
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 report
ed yesterday, is more complicated, ow-
ing to the fact that, while otherwise
exempt, the ship was reported to have
contained 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 the administration
believes the greatest liberality should
be shown in the application of the laws
where a vessel is not contraband or at
tempting to run the blockade That is
shown in the liberal terms of the proc
lamation itself, by which the prize
courts must be guided 1t is noted also
that the administration has not been
deferred by any criticism in congress
from formally pledglng itself to the
nations of the world to refrain from
privateering and abide by the decla-
ration Of Paris Of 1856.
All Our Consuls Have Left spain.
So far as is known all the United
States consuls have made their way
safely out of Spain. Consul Fay, at
Dania, has reported to the department
from Lisbon, Consul Bowen, at BARGE
Iona, from Paris and Consul Carroll, at
Cadiz and Consul Bartleman, at NAL
aga, from Gibraltar. The department
has assured itself that the others are
safe.
Secretary Sherman retired hnallyyes-
terday from the position of secretary Of
state and his successor was confirmed
in the person Of Judge Day John Bas-
sett Moore was confirmed i'm Judge
Days place. The latter is expected to
return To Washington. Secretary Day
entered upon the duties Of his office to-
day.
The army reorganization bill became
law during the day, and the war de-
partmeut officials have begun to devise
| the best means Of carrying out the pur-
/ poses of the act which win result in an
/ increase Of the regular army to more
| than 10000 men.
In the war department preparations
went ON with ceaseless energy for the
organization Of the volunteer army. All
the officers We're detailed who are to be
sent to the various states and terri
tories 10 muster the guardsmen into
the service of the United States. The
! plans for the full organization of the
army were also perfected. To provide
officers for the regular army and vol
unteers, Secretary Alger ordered the
| assignment to duty OF all the a-'S-t- -