The herald., 1898-04-22
NO CHANCE TO TALK
FOR SPAIN WILL NOT LISTEN
LONGER
NO DECLARATION TO BE MADE
But From Now on Events Will Move
Rapidly to the Climax Of
Actual War

hHplQly 10 Cuo OllmHx OF
Actual War
Associated Press Special Wire
WASHINGTON, April 21.-Diplomatic
relations between the United States and
Spain are at an end. It Is expected that
from now on events will move with amaz-
ing rapidity up to the climax of actual war.
Assistant Secretary Of State Day early to-
day received q cablegram from Minister
Woodford at Madrid stating that he had
been handed his passports and had been
notified that official relations between the
United States and Spain were ended. His
cablegram said that he had been given the
passports before he had an opportunity to
present the ultimatum transmitted to him
for submission to the Spanish government,
the delivery of the ultimatum to Minister
Polo having been accepted by the Spanish
government as formal announcement on
our part. Judge Day at once hurried to
the White House. where he found President
Mckinley about to enter carriage to take
Mrs. Mckinley to the railroad station,
where he intended to see her off on a short
trip to New York. The news that diplo-
matte relations between the United States
and Spain were formally at an end was so
important that the President bade hasty
goodbye to his wife on the White House
portico, and repaired Immediately to the
upstairs part of the house, where he and
Judge Day held conference, the result of
which was the dispatch Of Secretary Por-
ter to the Capitol to communicate the news
to the Senate Committee on Foreign Rela-
tions and also to leading members of the
House. 1t Is presumed that was done in
order to facilitate any action deemed
necessary by Congress.
By hasty summons Senator Davis of
Minnesota, chairman of the Senate Com
mittee on Foreign Relations; Senator Lodge
Of Massachusetts,, member of the COM
mittee; Senator Allison of Iowa, leader
in the body, and others Joined Assistant
Secretary Day and the President shortly
after 10 o'clock in a conference whose pur-
pose is to map out the immediate policy
Of the United States.
The conference broke up shortly after
half past one o'clock, Judge Day, accom-
panied by Senator Lodge going over to the
State Department The Secretary would
say nothing regarding the conference, fur
ther than to authorize the statement that
public announcement would be made
later in the day.
Chairman Davis of the Senate Foreign
Relations Committee was laconic and not
explicit. simply remarking: We've taken
the trick" Asked specifically regarding
the handing Of passports to Minister
Woodford. he said that the delivery of
the ultimatum to the Spanish legation here
has served all purposes.
Senator Cullom of Illinois. Of the Foreign
Relations Committee, was at this confer
ence also. and at II o'clock, on leaving the
White House, said that the handing Of the
passports to Minister Woodford consti-
tuted the Spanish reply and ended all
peaceful relations. While an effort might
be made in Congress to make a formal
declaration Of war, there was no occasion
for it, and, in his opinion. there would
probably be none.
He added: There is enough of state
of war now existing"
Everything now, he suggested, would
go ahead without preliminary action of
formal declaration of war by Congress.
The next step, he said. wuold be to call
out the troops
The President did not indicate to the
Senators and members of the House with
WON he talked today that he considered
declaration Of war necessary. and it is
understood that he has been advised by
some Of those on whose advice he most
relies that no declaration is necessary.
Some Of the leading Senators consider that
the Congressional resolutions and the ul-
timatum sent to Spain are all that Is
necessary to give notice to the world that
a state of war exists, while others hold
that manifesto to the powers advising
49, A-f ~
we'll.
The best information is that the Presi-
dent is disposed to regard this advice and
the probabilities now are that he will not
ask Congress to make formal declara-
ton.
Cutters Not Available
CHICAGO. April 21.-The United States
government may be deprived of the SER
vices of three first-class revenue cutters
on the lakes which have been ordered to
join the Atlantic Squadron. 1t is intimat-
ed that the revenue cutter Gresham, the
first of the cutters to start for the Atlantic,
will not be permitted to pass through
the Canadian canals without permission
from the Canadian government. AS hos
tilities will apparently break out before the
Gresham can get through the canals, it Is
regarded as improbable that the Canadian
government will give permission, as it
might be contrary to the neutrality laws.
The question is further complicated by
the fact that the Gresham, which must be
cut in two before she can get through tho
lower Canadian canals, must be put to.
gether again at Montreal, neutral port
1t is believed that the Dominion govern
ment will quietly intimate to the United
States that she will object to the passage
of the Gresham and the two other cutters
unless under these conditions.
The Troops Moving
WASHINGTON, April q. - Adjutant-