The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1898-04-27

WASHINGTON, April z6.-coNDI-
rIoNs IN WASHINGTON ARE RAP.
IDLY SETTLING DOWN TO THOSE
OF ACTUAL WAR, NOTICES CAME
TO THE STATE DEPARTMENT.
FROM THE FOUR QUARTERS OF
THE GLOBE TO-DAY SHOWING
THAT THE NATIONS AS A RULE
ARE PREPARED TO ASSUME AN
ATTITUDE OF STRICT NEuTRALI-
TY AS BETWEEN THE UNITED
STATES AND SPAIN IN THE PRES
ENT STRUGGLE.
In most cases they were In answer to-
the identical note sent out yesterday BY
the state department to all United States
embassies and legations instructlng
chem to Inform the governments to
which they were accredited that war
has existed since April q. Great Brit
a!n always has taken an advanced stand
IN the principles Of neutrality, so that
It was with great interest that the news
was received here of the terms OF the
neutrality proclamation onissued nLond0n.
On the whole the officials are disposed to
take the view that a strict adherence
by Breat Britain. to these rules will be
rather more advantageous to the United
States than to Spain, particularly as we.
are now operating in the naval sense
close to our own base of supplies, and In
all probability soon will cut Spain of
from the two bases that she now has in
the neighborhood Of Cuba
Some Prizes Will DO Released.
The President issued proclamation
during the day laying down rules as to
seizure Of prizes. and the result It is be-
IIeved will be the release OF some OF the
ships alrady captured, though It will be
FOR the prize courts to determine in each
case whether the conditions under which
the ship was captured are such to war.
rant release. "a
The Impression prevails that the Bue-,
"A Ventura, the frs. on the list Of
prizes will be declared no prize. The
case Of the Panama, whose seizure was
reported to-day, 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. How
ever, It may be said that while the
tlenent 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 a
vessel Is not contraband, or, attempting
to run the blockade This is shown In
the liberal terms OF the proclamation
itself by which the prize courts must be
guided.
It Is noted also that the administra-
tion has not been deferred by any crih-
c!sm 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.
So far as Is known all the United
States consuls have made their way
safely nut Of Spain.
Secretary Sherman retired finally to-
day from the position OF secretary OF
state and his successor was confirmed In
the person OF Judge Day. John Bassett
Moore undoubtedly will be confirmed to-
morrow in Judge Days place. The lat
ter Is expected to return to Washington
in about two days time. q
Army BllI Passes.
The army reorganization bill became
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 $4,000 men. n,
In the war department preparations
went on with ceaseless energy for the
organization Of the volunteer army. All
officers were detailed who were to be
cent to the various states and territories
10 muster the guardsmen into the SER
vice of the United States.
The plans'fur the full organization Of
Ms army were also perfected. To pro-
woe officers for the regular. army and
volunteers Secretary Alger ordered the
@s'gnment to duty Of all the cadets at
Me Vest Point military academy who
would In the ordinary course OF events
cave graduated IN June.
4. Inc greatest anxiety was shown at
ne navy department for news from the
.uaIocHad!ng squadron. Notwithstanding
Ms .sequent reports that came from two
.Solhcial sources OF engagements be-
Neen the feet and the shore batteries
20 word of confirmation came officially.
Inc three prizes reported to-day to
nave been seized by the fleet, we're not
.seTrcd to In official dispatches. but the
pNs reports OF the seizures were re-
,.'td with the greatest satisfaction by
we officers OF the department, who In
,"1e cases did not hesitate to declare
s.,f stae,f envy OF their more fortunate
g,1uler officers with the fleet. In fact il
= becoming very hard for Secretary
Das 10 retain in the service OF the de-
ralinent the officers who are absolutely
,,nuiFed ~ In view of their eurnest desire
'ogn to the front. 51 3 4; f.l
appears that the Assignment OF Rear.
lander lander Elder, In charge OF the Mos.
"hnaer "mi Elmer. In n;charge of the Mos
y. o.t2 70 heet was caused by the ill-hcalth
a. commander Elder. More than
,ta Gvzen retired officers were called into
>"e service by Secretary Long to-day.