The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1898-04-29
TROOPS ORDERED TO
BE READY TO MOVE
The Advance Guard of the Army Which to Occupy Cuba
is Being Rapidly Modified at Tampa Prepara-
tory to Embarkaon.

shelIing of MatanZaS. He had visited
that city frequently, and was familiar
with the lay of the land and the de-
fnnces. He said the batteries were an
liquated. and were not likely to offer
any formidable resistance. General Lee
will call at the State Department to-
morrow morning. Being still an official
he asked TO be excused from discussing
the war situation, and was very rcticent
concerning his prospective appointment
as major general.
The French Embassy has received
cable dispatch from the Foreign ONCE
at Paris. announcing that decree OF
neutrality between the United States
and Snain has been issued, and that Il
detailed copy will be forwarded by mali.
The cable notice is brief, stating only
that the decree follows the treaty of
Paris of 1856 The State Department
was advised. The department has also
been informed that Mexico, Argentine
Republic, Korea and Belgium have pro-
claimed neutrality. Korea's neutrality
is considered important, owing to her
proximity TO the Philippines.
The State Department has heard moth
ing from Germany, but this causes no
surances Germany has given that she
will observe strict neutrality between
the two belligedents. Germany, Austria
and Portugal are the last of the import
ant European nations to declare their
attitude.
The apprehension as to Portugal's
course was considerably removed today
by the call of Viscount De Santo-Thyrso
who gave strong assurances to the State
Department that Portugal would remain
strictly neutral The Portuguese Min
lister expects the official declaration al
most hourly. Although Portugal eX-
plains her delay Oh the ground that the
declaration of war was not made until
the 24th inst, vet Great Britain dectar-
ed neutrality with unusual promptness.
The effect of Great Britain's speedy ac
ton was to force the United States fleet
to leave Hong Kong, while the effect of
Porfugal's delay has been to permit the
Spanish fleet to remain ut the Cape
Verde Islands. Thus speedy action in
the first case was harmful to American
interests. while delayed action in the Sec
ond case was equally harmful to Ameri-
can interests.
Attention is now being centered on the
course OF Austria. Her delay in dcclar-
ing neutrality causes no material incon-
yeniences, as Austria has no ports ut
which Spanish ships can take refuge
but it discloses that Austria's strong
tendencies are with Spain, owing to
the dynastic relations between the
thrones of Austria and Spain.
Foreign governments. through their
representatives in Washington, are be-
ginning to show much concern over that
feature of the war tariff bill, now before
Congress, which increases the tonnage
tax on transatlantic shipping TO twenty
cents per ton. 1t is said this increase is
about 500 per cent, the present rate
being about three cents per ton, and
that nearly the entire burden Of the 800
per cent. increase falls on the trans
Atlantic shipping of Brcat Britain, Ger
many. France and one or two other com
mercial nations. Thus far, however, no
official action has been taken on the
subject by foreign nations. and it does
not seem likely that such official action
is possible, as the heavy tonnage tax IS
considered Il war expedient which for
egn shipping must bear so long as they
nse American ports. There are intima-
tions, however, thar it may have the
effect of diverting shipping away from
American ports to Halifax, Montreal
and other Canadian ports.