The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-04-20
Metal Sign of the Legation Torn
from Its Place by Vandals, but No
Complaint Made.
NO MORE ACTION BY POWERS
NOW TURNING THEIR ATTENTION TO
MAINTAINING NEUTRALITY.
Great Britain's Preparations Already
gress Accepted by Cuban JuntO.

WASHINGTON, April 19.-The Spanish
minister, Senior Polo de Bernabe, has made
his final preparations for departure, and is
calmly awaiting notification that the Presi-
dent has affixed his signature to the Cuban
resolutions, at which time the minister will
take his leave. He had expected this would
come to-day, and every arrangement had
been made with that in view. Now that the
signing is deferred until tomorrow it is
probable that the minister and his staff will
depart before another twenty-four hours
pass by. He will not move precipitately,
however, as the transfer of the legation
archives and effects to the French embassy
must first be accomplished, and moreover,
there is felt to be no disposition on the part
of the authorities here to unduly hasten the
movements of the minister. Whether the
State Department will send Senior Polo his
passports, or he will ask for them, is felt
to be an immaterial detail He intends TO
go without reference to these formalities,
and there is every reason to believe the State
Department will afford him the protection
usual in the enforced departure of a minis
ter on the breaking out of war; The entire
staff of the legation will accompany the
minister. Their exact movements after
leaving Washington are not made known,
except that they will return to Spain at the
earliest possible moment. 1t would be no
surprise if the minister and his staff went
by way of Canada instead of New York.
taking one of the Atlantic liners from Hal
flax.
The Spanish legation has been the center
of great activity throughout to-day The
minister was up practically all Of last night,
retiring shortly before daylight this morn
ing, after having informed his government
of the final passage of the Cuban resolutions.
He was again at his desk by a. M, COM
rnunicating with his government and await
ing the next and final move in making the
resolutions effective. Although of sturdy
physique the minister showed signs of the
during the last few days. He saw a number
of friends, mainly of the diplomatic corps,
and to them expressed the view that all
hope Of a peaceful settlement appeared to-
be at an end, and that Spain now left with
the United States the responsibility for war.
Being convinced that all hope of peace was
over. the minister's personal desires were
that the remaining formalities might be dis
patched as speedily as possible. He was
rather surprised late in the day when told
that the Presidents signing of the resolu-
lions would be deferred until tomorrow.
OUTRAGE BY VANDALS.
Early this morning the large metal sign
hearing the words "Office of the Spanish
legation was wrenched from its place on
the gate leading to the legation and carried
off bv yandals The minister made no COM
plant to the State Department or to the
police. as he has sought to minimize the
petty depredations against the legation, al
though this was the most fragrant one COM
mitted.
The various foreign embassies and lega-
tons were intensely active to-day in the
expectation that hostilities were near at
hand. The several foreign officers were fully
advised of the passing of the resolutions,
and were kept posted as to the prospects on
the Presidents signature. Some of the am
bassadors and ministers called at the State
Department to learn whether the Presi-
dent would sign the resolutions. They were
informed by Judge Day that the President
intended to sign them. This in turn was
communicated to the foreign offices, ana
was regarded as placing the matter beyond
anv question of doubt. The representatives
of the powers of Europe held no meeting
during the day nor is any meeting at pres
emf in prospect. Those who have been most
hopeful of bringing about European coali-
ton now concede that such move is i'm
possible One of the best posted members
of the diplomatic corps stated tonight that
it was now too late for mediation or inter-
vention, even if the powers could be
brought together. 1t was recognized on all
hands, he said, that the United States and
Spain had chosen a recourse to war 1t
was a decision which sovereign nations hi id
"A right to make, lamentable as it might be,
and the only course now open for other ma
tons was to determine their attitude of neu-
trality between the two belligerents.
BRITAINS PREPARATIONS.
Already. it is said, Great Britain has
taken steps not only to maintain a passive
neutrality but TO enforce it with arms if
necessary. IMV ANSlihSuAS VI SUI
diers are now in the British West Indies.
and these ale about to be augmented by
another regiment en- route from Halifax.
They are concentrated in the belief that the
West Indies will be a center of conflict, and
that the stress of war may lead one or the
other belligerents to occupy neutral British
territory. If that occurs, British force
will see that the territory is vacated and
that British soil is not used as base of OPP
erations for hostilities by either party 10
the conflict. so far IS is known, the French
government will observe the So me neutral
ity. Its West Indian possessions are con-
siderable and it has several ships in those
waters Germany and the other powers are
expected TO take the same neutral attitude.
In connection with the cable report that
the Dreibund has sought to affect a plebis-
cite in Cuba, it was stated at one Of the
embassies that this branch Of negotiations