The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1898-04-28
bill then passed by unanimous vote. The
President signed it at els p. N.
HAVANA.

fiSSiuCttt SiSuSu II at UtO ~
HAVANA
The blockade continued without special
incident. The weather was fine, and the
only trouble was that the fleet had to drift
at nightswith a two-knot current without
any stationary shore lights to aid in main
tanning position. The water is too deep to
anchor.
A torpedo-boat crew, under Lieut.. Ere
mont landed at night and obtained some
valuable information.
The Spaniards showed some search-light-
on Moro Castle and other fortifications,
but they did not reach far enough to de-
velOp our ships.
The people were reported leaving the city
for the open country in great numbers, to
avoid the bombardment.
Spanish troops were being called in,
which will add to Blanco's embarrassment
in feeding them and hasten the end.
The steamer State of Texas, loaded with
food and clothing for the suffering Cubans,
and sailing under the Red Cross flag, is
expected to leave Key West on Thursday
or Friday for Matanzas, where supplies for
the reconcentrados will be distributed,
peaceably if possible, by force if necessary.
Miss Barton, who will have immediate
charge of this distribution, will be ac-
corded the protection of our warships. Al
though the expedition is fraught with
dangers, it is believed that Captain-G Gen
eral Blanco will order that the Red Cross
flag be respected.
There has been no change of plans re-
Cardng the invasion of Cuba. Troops in
large numbers will not be sent to the is
land for some time. The Regulars now in
the South will be used first, and probably
Is, 600 will be landed soon. MatanZas may
or may not be a base OF supplies. 1t is
proba bic that the troops will be landed at
another point. The preliminary invasion
= tod taa it,Ct art
army will be equipped with arms and am
munition.
OTHER MOVEMENTS.
The cruisers Columbia and Minneapolis,
of the Flying Squadron, suddenly appeared
off the New England coast. Various theories
attempted to account for this. One was
that they had come to convoy the City of
Paris into port. Another that they were
looking for a Spanish gunboat that had
been reported as starting for our cod-fshers
on the Newfoundland Banks.
Our Government having notified the Por-
tuguese that they must either notify the
Spanish fleet to leave Cape Verde within
81 hours or keep it there during the war,
the Spaniards were ordered out. London
dispatches report the feet to consist of
four first-class cruisers, six torpedo, boats,
and two armed cruisers. They took on
1000 tons of coal.
TUESDAY, APRIL 26.
The British Foreign Office issued notice
that state of war had existed between
Spain and the United States since April
21, and ordering the warships of both
powers to leave British ports within "a
hours. Though this is regarded as gem
orally to our advantage it will probably
prevent our bringing away the torpedo
boat Somers. 1t alse hastened our Asiatic
feet cut of Hong Kong. and will necessitate
the seizure of the Philippine Islands as a
coaling and supply station. Our Asiatic
feet consists of the protected cruisers
Olympia, Boston, Raleigh and Baltimore,
the gunboats Concord and Petril, the rev.
enue cutter Mccullough and two colliers.
The Spanish feet at the Philippines
comprises number OF small, weak gun
boats, none of which is able to cope with
one of our vessels.
Germany made the announcement that
she will not issue a declaration of neutral
ity, the idea being to preserve her freedom Of
action, and ''tO be in position to intervene
if she considers it necessary"