The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1898-04-22

W. ~ <hpik -i.-WhIh DE-
TWEEN THE UNITED STATES AND
SPAIN IS A FACT. ALTHOUGH NOT
OFFICIALLY DECLARED.
THE STIRRING EVENTS OF YES.
FERDAf WE'RE SUCCEEDED WITH
RtPID1TY By OTHERS OF EQUAL
IMPORTANCE, ELIMINATING IN
THE AFTERNOON IN ORDERS FOR
THE DEPARTURE OF THE NORTH
ATLANTIC SQUADRON FOR HNyA-
ma. THIS PRACTICALLY is AN
ACT OF WAR so THAT THE WAR
BETWEEN THIS COUNTRY AND.
SPAIN MAY FAIRLY Be SAID TO
DATE FROM TO-DAY, APRIL Il,
1898. ~
Two minutes after the opening OF the
state department this morning came
word from Minister Wocdford that the
Spanish government, having anticipated
and prevented his, intention to present
the President's ultimatum, he had ask
ed for his passports. ~
The administration In public state
ton OF the Spanish government In rem
dertng unnecessary further diplomatic
action on the part OF the United States,
and further stated that It regarded the
course adopted by Spain as one placing
upon that country the responsibility for
the breach OF friendly relations.
Mr.. Woodford's telegram resulted In
the calling of a special cabinet meeting
TO arrange an outline OF a plan of cam
pa!sn or rather to determine how to be-
Gin the execution OF the plan of cam
nalgn already prepared by the strategic
boards. OF the army and navy depart
nerts. 4
liioekade OF Havana Offered.
The Immediate result was the order
for the North Atlantic squadron to begin
the blockade OF Havana. How much
further than th!s the cabinet progressed
In its deliberations IT is not possible to
say for the reason that the time hes
row come when the interests OF the gov
ernment require that the movements of
ships and troops should be guarded with
the greatest care from uniue publicity
10 order to prevent The enemy from TAX.
Ing advantage OF the Information.
The North Atlartic squadron under.
Captain SIMPSONS command Is n
splendid arra;- Of fine vessels. compris-
Ing battleships such as the Indiana and
Iowa, monitors like the Puritan, Terror
and AmThltrite: armored cruisers like
the New York. flagship, protected cruis-
ers. such as the Cincinnati, Marnlehead
and Montgomery; gunboats like the,
FicksburS. Wilmington and Annapolis,
regular torpedo boats. as, the Ericsson,
Gushing, Wins!ow and the like and not
to speak of the large number OF fast
yachts and other vessels that have been
added to the feet by purchase. This
Iorce IS quite competent to blockade all
the ports In Cuba, or at least all the
ports connecting by rail with Havana,
and so likely to be used to supply that
place In the event OF siege with, food and
munitions Of war. This statement Is to
be taken with the understanding that It
does not contemplate the coming to
Cuban waters OF the Spanish fleet. In,
such CAGE. however, the probable policy
would be to abandon the blockade and
eadeavor to force the Spanish fleet to
battle.
Significant Feature.
Minister Woodford's action during the
DAY was reported to the state depart
ment In late telegram Indicating that
ne was following a carefully prepared
programme. A significant feature OF his
message was the statement that the
Spanish government notified him that It
regarded Its withdrawal OF its minister,
senor Polo yesterday, Mt Washington, as
terminating diplomatic Negotiations,
show1ng that Il was not disposed to ac-i
cept the expressed Intention OF our gov;
erninent 10 continue Mr.. Woodford ns O
medium uf Communication until Satur-
day noon. NJ '7l PA So
Mr.. Woodford also announced that he
had instructed Consul General Bowen
at Barcelona, to cause all the American
Sonsuis In Spain TO Immediately with
uraw from the country. He further.
hIated that he had informed the Span
ish government after asking for his
iassopRs that he had placed the Amerl-
NaA legation In Madrid and the Ameri-
san interests In Spain generally In the
Iahds or the British embassy. The am
z uaSsaaor, RI. Hon. Sir Henry Drum
lhond WON Is not at present In Madrid,
80 american interests will be conflded to
ae British charge, Sir George G.. F.
poaAam, Bart To all intents and pur-
posfs thls relieves the state department
noih furtner negotiations Us to Cuba,
,aTe those relating 10 privateering. neu-
H.%i'y oosrvanccs and the like. It was
IDand necessary to frame a notice to
sepowers OF thcintenuonof our govern.
aent 70 establish blockade OF, Havana.
,,I. notiiication required by international,
Fears OF tho Oregon.
The navy department to-day aside
ron giving the orders to the squadron
e0aanued the work of adding to the
navy and purchases another snip at
"oFtolls as an auxiliary craft and some
sn'al! yachts. The news OF the actual
"es1nntng of war was received with
s'aSity at the department. and there
were many speculations as to the destI-
"Nion of the Spanish squadron. One
susse8tlon was that It Is heading to cut
oil the Anc bnttleahip Oregon, now on Its
I,as from the Pacific coast around Cape
@ mort 70 Join Captain Samson's COM
mtu' ra'u' There 10 also some fear thnt the
,0tcsoh may be taken nt AN unfair ad-3
,s,ntase without knowledge OF the ex-
,%s'ehence of war. by the Spanish torpedo
,ss'royer Temmerire.i which Is now lay
,,, ",s ut Buenos Ayres. Possibly with n
e% 10 avoid a conflict in the Straights
Mngellan, where che would be at n
Iao,"ta'hhtage, the Oregon has been or
'Jtea IT. 10 10 around Cape Horn. e (
a.. ~ tne war department orders flew TO
,sU sna lro relative to the, concentration Of
~oopa ,s In the eou,h md Secretary hlger
VA Iaa seceral times In consolidation with
W. @G PRESIDENT resulting In the dctcrmin-
.N saoh TO call for 400, 900, volunteers as
isa igssn ns Congress- passes tho necessary
~ station, The Change inthe COMPOST