Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1898-04-29
TO KEEP HANDS OFF.
Nations, as Rule, Will Assume
Attitude of Neutrality.
ENGLAND'S POSITION SATISFACTORY.
Strong Likelihood That Courts VIII
Release Some of the Captured
Spanish Nesaels-Latest Cos
sip Concerning the War.

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 Tuesday showing
that the nations as rule are prepared
to assume an attitude of strict neu-
trality 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 Monday by the
state department to all United States
embassies and legations instructing
them to inform the governments to
which they were accredited that war
has existed since April 21.
Great Britain always has taken an adj
vance stand in the principles of neu-
trality, SO that it was with great in
terest that the news was received here
OF the terms of the neutrality procla-
nation issued in London. On the whole
officials are disposed to take the view
that the strict adherence by Great Brit
ain to these rules will be rather more
advantageous to the United States than
to Spain, particularly as we now are
! operating in the naval sense close to our
own base of supplies and in all proba-
bility soon will cut Spain off from the
two bases that she now has In the neigh
borhood Of Cuba.
| May Release Some Captured Ships,
The president issued 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 1t
Will be for the prize courts to determine
in each case whether the conditions I'M
der which the ship was captured are
such as to warrant release. The i'm
| preston prevails that the Buena Ven
tura, the first on the list of prizes, will
| be declared no prize. The case of the
Panama, whose seizure was reported
tuesday, is more complicated, owing 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 liberallty should be shown In
the application of the laws where yes
sci Is not contra band or attempting to
run the blockade, That is shown in the
liberal terms OF the proclamation itself
by which the prize courts must be
guided.
1t is noted also that the administra-
ton has not been deferred by any criti.
eism in congress from again formally
pledging itself to the nations of the
world to refrain from privateering and
abide by the declaration of Paris OF
1856.
All Probably Safe.
So far as is known all the United
States consuls have made their way
safely out Of Spain. Consul Fay, at
DANA, has reported to the department
from Lisbon; Consul Bowen, at BARGE
Iona, from Paris, and Consul Carol, at
Cadiz, and Consul Bartelam, at Malaga.
from Gibraltar. The department. has
assured itself that the others are safe.
To Increase the Army.
1he army reorganization bill BECAME
a law during the day and the war de.
partment officials have begun to devise
the best means of carrying out the pur-
poses of the act, which will 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 ia
be sent to the various states and Terri.
tories to muster the guardsmen into the
service of the United States. The plans
for the full organization of the army
were also perfected. They provide Off
GERS for the regular army and vclun.
teers. Secretary Alger ordered the as
signment to duty of all the cadets az
tho West Point military academy who
would in the ordinary course of events
have graduated in June.
The BiockndinG Squadron.
The greatest anxiety was shown at |
the navy department for news from the
blockading squadron. Notwithstand-
ing the frequent reports that came from
two unofficial sources Of engagements
between the fleet and the shore bat
teries no word of confirmation came
officially. The three prizes reported
Tuesday TO have been seized by the fleet
were not referred to in the official dis.
patches, but the press reports of the
seizures were received with the greatest
satisfaction by the officers of the de-
partment, who, in some cases. did not
hesitate 10 declare their envy of their
more fortunate brother officers with
the feet. In fact it is becoming very
hard for Secretary Long to retain in
the service of the department the Off
GERS who are absolutely required in
view OF their earnest desire to go to the
front.
Forcing the Spanish Fleet.
London, April 21.-The dismissal of
the United States squadron from Hong
Kong and the apparent severity of the
British government in regard to the
United States torpedo boat Somers at
Falmouth, the press learns, were Incl
dents prearranged by American and
British diplomacy, the real object
being to force the Portuguese govern
ment to order the Spanish fleet to leave
the Cape Verde islands and to prevent
other nations, at critical moment
from offering similar hospitality.
The Powers Notified.
Washington, April 27.-The state de-
partment has conveyed notice to all OF
the powers and nations with which the
United States holds friendly relations
OF the declaration OF war Monday by
The government of the United States.
This Is 9 necessary formality In order
TO set In motion the neutraNty low. 4,