The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-04-20

Minister will take his leave. The entire
stan Of the legation will accompany the
Minister.
Early this morning the large metal sign
bearing the words. "Ofice of the Spanish
Legation" was wrenched from its place
on the gate leading 10 the legation and
carried off by yandais The Minister
made no complaint to the state Depart
ment or TO the police. as he has sought
TO minimize the petty depredations
against the legation. although this was
the most fragrant one committed
The various foreign embassies and le-
cations were intensely active to-day i'm
the expectation that hostilities were near
at hand. The several foreign officers
We're fully advised of the passage of the
resolutions and were kept posted as 10
the prospects Of the Presidents sigma
ture.
Some Of the ambassadors and ministers
called at the State Department 10 learn
whether the President would sign the
resolutions. They were informed by
Judge Day that the President intended
10 sign them This in turn was cOmmu-
nicated TO the foreign offices ana was
regarded as placing the matter beyond
any question of doubt
The representatives Of the powers Of
Europe held TO meeting during the day
nor IS any meeting at present in pros
pcct. Those who have been most hopeful
OF bringing about European coalition,
now cOncede that such a move IS impOs-
siblc
Already. IL is said, Great Britain has
taken steps not only 20 maintain a pas
sive neutrality but 10 enforce IL with
arms II necessary Two regiments Of
British soldiers are now I'm the British
West Indies and these are about 10 be
augmented by another regiment on route
from Halifax. They are concentrated IN
the belief that the West Indies will be
centre of conflict and that the stress OF
war may lead one or the other belliger-
ents TO occupy neutral British territory
So far as is known the French govern
ment will observe the same neutrality.
It's West Indian possessions are consider
able. and it has several ships IN those
waters.
Germany and tho other powers are ex-
pected TO take the same neutral attitude.
In connection with the cable report that
the Dreibuud had sought 10 effect a pie
bscite I'm Cuba it was stated at one Of the
embassies that this branch Of negotiations
occurred last week and embraced some
circumstances not made known in the
cable dispatches
About the middle OF last week one OF
the embassies here was informed from
IT'S foreign office that its ambassador at
Madrid advised them that Minister Wood
ford had suggested In a tentative way a
plebscite as n possible solution 10 the
Cuban problem. This ambassador also
advised his foreign office that the sug-
gcston did not meet with favor, and had
not been followed mp. Since then there
has been no talk of a plebiscite so far
as lis known here
ALARM IN FLORIDA
Applications are pouring into the War
and Navy Departments for the immediate
protection Of supposedly exposed points
on the Atlantic and Gulf seabOard The
two Florida Senators called to-day upon
secretary Alger 10 urge that protection
be afforded 20 some of their coast towns.
such as Miami, and that troops be sta
toned there. The officials say Do IS man
itestly impossible 20 comply with these
requests and have no hesitation IN declar-
Ing that the apprehension among the peO-
pie Of these towns is largely groundless
Rear-Admral Sicard reported at the
Navy Department this morning and was
Immediately assigned a place at the desk
in the office OF the Secretary OF the Navy
20 act as official adviser 10 the Secretary
Nearly an naval officers on detached or
shore duty have put in applications to be
restored Immediately % sea service.