Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1898-04-22

ham. Bart. To all intents and purposes this
negotiations as TO Cuba. save those relat-
ing to privateering, neutrality observances
and the like II was found necessary to
frame d notice 10 the powers of the inten-
lion of our government TO establish block
ade of Havana. notification required by
international law.
The navy department to-day, aside from
gicing the orders 10 the squadron, con-
iinued the work of adding to the navy and
purchased another ship at Norfolk as an
suxiliary craft and some small yachts The
news of the actual beginning of war was
end there were many speculations to
the destination of the Spanish squadron.
One suggestion was that 1t is heading to
cut off the fine battIeship Oregon, now on
its way from the Pacific coast around TO
soin Captain SIMPSONS command. There
taken at an unfair advantage without
knowledge Of the existence of war by the
Spanish torpedo boat destroyer Temmerire.
which is now lying at Buenos Ayres. Pos
sibly with a view 10 avoiding conflict in
the straits of Magellan. where she would
be at disadvantage, the oregon has been
ordered 10 go around Cape Horn.
Relative to the news that comes from
Chicago that the three revenue cutters on
purposes. il is said at the navy department,
that the department had some time ago
abandoned the idea of using these craft,
owing TO the difficulties in getting them
out 10 the Atlantic seaboard. 1t was, how
ever, denied that any international obsta-
Gle had been encountered in the shape of
notice from the Canadian government
that the passage of the ships would not
be permitted. The little Bancroft now at
Boston, has been placed under command
of Captain Clover, who will meet the ship
al Norfolk within a few days and take it
to Key West.
In the war department many orders flew
10 and fro relative to the concentration
of troops in the South, and Secretary AL
ger was several times in consultation with
the president resulting in the determination
to call for 100 volunteers as soon as con-
gress passes the necessary legislation. The
change in the composition of the cabinet,
entirely unexpected. completed the list of
important events of the day.
AT about 4:45 o'clock this afternoon the
president had a brief conference with the
attorney general. Secretary Long and As
sistant Secretaries Day and Adee Several
kilograms were received and others pre-
sumably sent. but their purport was not
disclosed. A; s:l5 the president Joined Sec
rotary Long in a short walk.
For several days, and especially to-day,
the secretary of the treasury has received
large number of kilograms from collect
ors of customs at ports on the Atlantic
and Gulf coasts stating that ships were
being laden for Cuban ports. Large ship
ments of mules were being made from
Southern ports. and beef and coal from
those further north. The question as 10
whether these vessels should be permitted
10 sail was referred to the attorney gen.
eral and his opinion was that pending the
passage of the bill prohibiting all exporta-
tions of articles of this character this gov
ernment should not interfere.
In the opinion of the state department a
state of war now exists between Spain and
the United States. Moreover, this in its
view has been brought about by the action
of the Spanish government, which, In noti-
flying Mr.. Woodford that it had broken
diplomatic relations. thereby took the in
itistive. 1t is presumed THAT by this time
fhe various consuls in Spain. who have SO
far without exception stuck loyalty at their
posts. are now making their way as rapid
ly as possible across the frontier into
France.
There was. an unusual number Of diplo-
matte callers at the state department this
morning. the list including the three am
tasssdors from France, Belgium and Japan
1t is believed that the object of the ambas-
sadors' call WAS 10 notify Judge Day for
nlaily that at the request of the retiring
Spanish minister the French embassy. with
the permission OF the United States gov
ernment would look after tho interests of