Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-04-20

demands that Spain withdraw from Cuba
her naval and military forces. The Presi-
dent. in firm. but polite way, requests
that reply to this demand be made "by
Saturday" These two words are used in
the utimatum.
President Mckinley thought it would be
splitting hairs and holding & time watch
TO set any hour for an answer from Spain.
That is why he decided on the phrase by
Saturday.. Even if there is no answer by
Saturday at neon the President may hot
a. once carry into effect the ultima tuT.
But if there is answer by Saturday
afternoon the resolution will be put into
effect.
The President distinctly states in the ul-
timatum that unless Spain gives notice that
she will evacuate the island he will roceed
to put into effect the instructions of Con-
gIess.
WOodford Not Yet Recalled.
Cabinet officials think that Gen. Wood
ford will remain on duty in Madrid until an
answer is received from Sagasta. If the
answer refuses to comply with the demands
of the United States Gen. Woodford will at
once ask for his passports Should his posi-
ton become untenahe between now and
Saturday he may leave his post. There Is
possibility that Gen. Woodford will leave
Madrid tonight after he delivers the uti-
matum to Sagdsta. He may have his pass
ports handed him. The answer of SPAIN
under these circumstances, could be sent
direct to this country or through the rep
resentative of any European power selected
by Spain.
The Presidents Program.
The program of the President is now
definitely known. He will patiently await
the answer of Spain before making move
of any sort If Spain makes no answer by
Saturday orders will be issued for the navy ,
to blockade the ports of Cuba Havana
will. of course, be the leading port to be
blockaded. 1t can be positively stated that
the present plans do not contemplate a
bombardment of Havana and other Cuban
ports, as the first step. The blockade will
be first put into effect If the naval and
military forces of Spain attack the block
aiding squadron, of course the attack will
be repealed and a bombardment Of Havana
and other cities will follow. The intention
at present. however, is that the blockadng
force shall not fire shot for some time.
While the blockade is in force the army of
the United States will be hurried forward
to Key West, ready to land in Cuba So
soon as this army is ready for work and
transports have been provided, lombard
ment and capture will follow unless fighting
has been forced by that time upon the
navy.
Several Ports to he Invested.
1t is known that more than one port of
Cuba will be invested by the navy. People
of Havana and probably Matanzas will
wake up Sunday morning to look far out to
sea and find the fighting ships of the Unit
ed States guard Not a commercial or
other vessel will be allowed to leave or en-
ter these ports, and unless the Spaniards
fight they must starve. No help can reach
them except from Spain's warships, which
will be met and fought. If these warships
can defeat those of this country, then relief
can be given the beleaguered cities.
Spain's Expected Reply.
1t is calculated at the White House that
Sagasta vas handed the ultimatum of
President Mckinley about T:30 pm, Span
ISL time. That would have been 80 o'clock
Washington time. The Spanish ministry
will have tomorrow and Friday to consider
their course. When it is O'Clock Satur-
day morning here it will be noon Saturday
in Madrid. President Mckinley ought to
know the answer of Spain by the time he
arises Saturday morning. Either an insult
ing and defiant answer or silence is ex-
pected
The President decided that he would not
make the text of the ultimatum public I'M
til tomorrow, by which time it will be fully
known In Madrid.
The exact wording of the ultmatum was
fully agreed upon by the President and
Judge Day last night. The President in
structed Judge Day to bring the revised
copy of the order to the White House this
rJ,l.;,
o ciock. The only persons then with the
President were Secretaries Bliss and Will
son, Attorney General Griggs and Judge
Day.
Signing Of the Ultimatum.
Later Secretary Alger made his appear
ance, and when the resolution of Congress
was signed at 1:22 those present were the
officials mentioned. Senator Elkins, Rep
resentative Cannon and Charles Emory
Smith, editor of the Philadelphia Press
The pen used in signing the resolution was
handed at once to Secretary Alser, who
had asked for it. There had been fifty
other requests for this pen, but Gen. Alger
had made the first application.
Senator Elkins and Representative Can.
non were accidental witnesses to the Pres
ident's act of signing the resolution All
morning senators and representatives had
been calling and departing. Messrs Elkins
and Cannon got in few minutes before
the President attached his signature.
The congressman who called during the
morning were Messrs. Gear, Lodge Gray,
Kyle, Frye. Platt of Connecticut, Grosve-
nor. Adams and Cannon.
Cuban Republic and Recognition.
1t was learned this morning from an ad-
minstration source just why the President
was DESTROYS of avoiding express recogni-
ton of the Cuban republic. Aside from the
reasons that have been set forth in the de-
bates in Congress, mostly based on consti-
tutional questions, there were two very i'm
portant practical considerations that affect
ed the Presidents mind. The first was a
purely military consideration. He was
satisfied that the United States army and
naval forces would operate, in the event of
the recognition of the Cuban republic at a
great disadvantage. Instead of moving I'M
der free rein. the military forces would
be obliged to treat with the officials of the