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About Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922 | View Entire Issue (April 22, 1898)
THE OMAHA-I DAILY BEE. i ESTABLISHED JUNE 19 , 1871. 03IAHA , FRIDAY , JUJRII , 122 , 1808 TWELVE PAGES. SIXGLE COPY' FIVE CENTS. ' GAUNTLET IS DOWN " Epain Takes Initiatire asd Practically Teclares War. GIVES MINISTER WOODFORD HIS PASSPORTS Doea Hot Wait for Him to Present the Pnri- dent's UltimUmn. HOSTILITIES MAY BEGIN AT ANY TIME * Spanish Fleet on Its Way to Meet Uscle Eam'i War ihipi AMBASSADOR LEAV S SPANISH CAPITAL IA1I Dliilumalle Ilelatlon * Xow Broken , and \otlilnjr ltoui In lint for tbc Two Antlonn to Fight . It Oat. It * ? , by Prrtt Publlfhtm C : > rajMny ) MADRID. April ! L ( New York World Ca blegram Special Telegram. ) Daring laet night Minister Woodfmd received the note or the Aiaertata government conveying the i intimation ot the presidential decision , which be wns unable to place In ti * hands c-f Spain's nlnkter of state beoaui early thit morning Seaor Gullon ( eat him a note as follow * : "In the accomplhiment of a painful duty I bave tbe honor to communicate to your ex cellency that the president of tbe United States having sanctioned a resolution of both bootee which , disputing the legitimate sove--elgnty of Spain and threatening imme diate armed Intervention in Cuba , is equiv alent to and i > an evident declaration of war. his majttty's government his ordered hia minister * at Washington to retire without losa of time fmai American territory with all the members of the legation. Through this fact diplomatic relations that have so loag existed betweea the two countries are Interrupted and all official communication cccses between their respective representa tives. 1 In part communicate the same to yc-r excellency In order that you may adopt on jour ride the convenient disposition of your affaire. At the same time I pray your er.ellcrcy to acknowledge the receipt of thSa note , and I seize thla opportunity to reit erate to year excellency the assurance of my most distinguished oonriJeration. " TURNS OVER THE CONSULATE. At half past 11 British Charge d'Affalres Barclay entered the American legation , where General Woodford received him ia the comer room that has wired as an office for Taylor cad himself successively. Wood- ford stood up and shook hands with Bar clay , eaying ; "I have received the following not * from Senor Gullon and la consequence propose to hand you , sir , as heir British maj esty's representative in Spain , tals legation , the consulate for American citizens , their interest and property , as I uadc/Etand you have Instructions from your govevnment to undertake this charge. " , Barclay bowed acquiescence. Then Wood- ford , visibly moved , grasped his hand agslo , adlng ; "I cannot tell you how grateful my government acd people are toward En- pla-d , " Woadford then turned to military at tache Captain Bll&i and Instructed him ta gei the American arms and flagstaff removed , which was den * . Woadford left the legation at 1 to go to his private rcsldeoe to com plete preparations for starting- . Woidford left his private reslieace la his exra official carriage amidst visible police protecton. All the way to the station a itroog escort of civil guards attended him. Very ft * ' pecple were aware cf his depar ture. Wten I reached the Ration I noticed mounted and foot police , with many c2cers aad detectives. Inside were a few families about to leave by the Sad express and miny Spanish reporters so 3 foreign and American correspondents , also Marquis VadeigeaUs ! ! , editor of Eposa. who came to bid adieu to Wo : > dford. On the platfcrm were tie British charge d' affaires and his wife. > who is aa American , hit secretary and tbe German anJ Austrian first secretaries. VToodforg appeared with Secretary Sickles Captain Bliss acd their servants , followed by quite a body of police , civil guards ans officers of wham Woodford saluted politely hat In hanl. When the trala came la Wood- ford and his secretaries Immediately went attard. after staking hands with all tbe foreign diplomats , with Madam Sickles aa < pretty tMtss Sickles , -who both looked sorry at the departure of the minister , l-omr delay cccurrei to add the carriage to the express and the platform got very crowded. When the train steamed slowly away , loud criei cf "VivaEspana. . " aad other enthusiastic cheers came from them. Otherwise the tranquillity was perfect. The express Jet at 4 o'clock. Woodford seat all his colleagues a com tnunlcatlon announcing his departure an regretting that he could cot take leave per tonally. Only the Germaa cad Austrian representative * responded , sending their sec retarics to He station aad apologizing tha they were uraMe and too busy to gu Ic per on. NO ANSWER. The Spanifcb preoa today say * tbe Koverntnent will decline to admit an answer to tfae ultimatum , though considering It suffi cient ground for a rupture In diplomatic relations. According to another version , without waiting ttie delivery of the ulti- tnitnm. tbe foreign minister tent passpo- " * to Woodford. grounding bis decision on the fact that the conduct of the American gov- erameat made further diplomatic relation * impossible. Tie British charge d'affaires cab'ed the foe. f'.fu minister immediately that England In tended to ccnsiJer coil contraband and wotTd not allow either party to draw ocal supplies at British pot-in. He alx > demanded the In tentions of Spln with regard to tbe right to visit neutral ships aad expressed tbe hep ? thit Spain would cot permit privateers. The council of minister * deliberate ] tbtce mat ters and decided to reply that Spain wcnld strictly observe all tisige * . precedents and ruled ot International law The tame com- tatmlcatlon was telegnphed the SpaaUh am- hifscdcr at London. Much animus ex.cts agalast Enzlind < icd begloi o be reflected ia the prrea. All the Madrid pipers today pabllsh patriotic ar- UJt v < ry bitter ag-ilnet Aderlca and ad- vacating the cosSdeare * &d uaaalrcou * sap- port of all clia-co and partita la the ec - racn defense ot national hsaar egiisit Its > unwarranted aggression. The papers criti cise severely tbe bourse panic t * quite nn- Justiflc-d. ARTHCR E. HOt'GHTON. ASSOCIATED PRESS REPORT MADRID * April IL The uitlcatua W the United States WM rtreiveJ tariy ttj morning In English , Tie Spanish govern ment immediately broke off diplomatic re- lattora wUh the United States , notifying the United 5U ! minister to this effect before he was able to present any note. The newspapers here toiay applaud "The energy of the government and the enthu siasm of the public at the adveat of war. " The Liberal says : "The government will raaVe to reply whatever to the ultimatum. " Continuing , the Liberal points out the advantage - vantage * which Spain may derive from the ute of privateer * , la which connection , how ever , nothing has yet ben officially dctlJrJ. Toe news of the rupture was received calmly. There Is no excitement apparent anywhere. Spain's action today is considered a rirtual declaration of war and bostilltlf * day be gin at once. The newspapers of this city print highly colored accounts of hew General Woodford aa handed his passports but the clrcum- nance * In the case were as cabled to the Asscclated Press. The Spanish government , havlnc received the text of the ultimatum of the United StatcEVfram Its own sources , | did not wait for the United Sutes minister j I to present the ultimatum , but sent him his I passport. * . | ! It Is not expected that there will be any ' formal declaration of ar s Spain's action ' today is considered as such and hostilities j , may begin Immediately , feoth nations , how ever , mar make to their own people and to all neutral ? what Is termed "the notification of war. " A semi-official r > : te just Issued says the pinlsh government consUers he ultimatum f the United States constitutes a declaration f war. The seml-cScial note adds that the Sp clih eet Is already on Its ay to meet the fleet f the United States. Minister Woodford left Madrid at 4 o'clock Ms afternoon. OOGARLOS M IKES A STATEMENT , retrndrr SnjThfit thr < i > anlnrdm 111 I'm l > n riclit. CoprrlcSt. H9S , by Prr rubllihinp Company ) BRUSSELS. April IL ( New York World iblegram Special Telegram. ) Your corre- pendent called oa Dan Carles at his hotel -oday and was lafcnneJ by his grand cham- serlaio , Cour < t Melg-ar , that the pretender ecllned to make a further statement for lUbllcatlon. Co further representation Count Ulgar obtiioid the following declaration rom Dan Carlos : 'Reticence ' is a duty with me , owing to he immense Interests now at stake. I mus , . tate niy profound conviction that were the 'arlists In power In Spaio war would have > e-en Inevitable two years ago , but Spain has erred to the * IJ < ? of generosity acj chivalry and has thus gone lengths hardly compatible with national honor. The United States bas takeo advantage of this attitude and. has utilized the Interval In strengtaea- its fleet. But we Spaniards are tough fighters aad eater the contest fearless of the ccnse-quences. We thank the holy father for Ms kind offices , bat the time hal passed for intervention and the final catastrophe is novr aevitable. " | Your correrpond-ent had expressly asked for a reply to the question whether Carlos -wanld support tie pre ent g-ivernment agiinit America , but on that crucial point be pre served a slgnl'sant alienee. His ruddea re moval from Ostecd to Brusse excited muh comment. Hte icUotlon. it is believed , waste to go ona visit to Earl Aehburnham , his _ _ _ chief supporter in England , but owing to the Indignation of Spain ct England's attitude In the recent crisis , he wca advised that snrii a visit was Impolitic , therefore he went to Brussels Instead. BRUSSELS. April ! . Don Carlos , the Spanish pretender. In an Interview here to- oay. satd : VI am convinced that the Cuban insurgents will make common cacse with Spain , for fear of being absorbed by America. " Without expressing absolute con fidence in the triumph of the Spanish army and navy , Don Carlos expressed the opinion that the patriotism of Spain will work "ml.-ucle ? . " He added : "So far as I atn con cerned , when the first gun is fired I will I give proof that I am a. patriot before being a pretender. " ' SPAl.VS AASXVCR MAY BE A SHOT. Fleet at Caiir Verde Reported to Have Sailed. NEW YORK. April 2L A dispatch to tbe Herald from Washington MVS Spain's answer to President MeKinley's ultimatum may take the form of ebot and shelL Its formidable fleet , which bas been mobilizing at the Cspe Verde islands for me days pa&t. sailed en Wednesday from that paint for an unknown destination. The fleet is composed of the armored cruisers Almiraate Oquendo. Cricto- bal Colon. In'cnta Maria Teresa and Vlzcaya , the torpedo boat destroyers Furor. Terror and Plutoo and the torpedo boats Arctic. Aiore and Rayo , and perhaps the battleship Pelayo. Information of the taillag of ttie fle-et h-os been received by the attaches of the Spanish legation. It is conceded to be hichly probable that the fleet will baten across the ocean to Porto Rico end Cuba to prevent by force the ousting from the Islands of the naval and military forces ij the Spanish government now there. On the other hand. Its possible tb-at the tfclps have gone to tbe Canary Islands. If Spain sanuld uce the cape as a boss of operations In time of war Portugal will be called to account by tUe- United Statecs The Cape Verde IsUnda belong to the Lisbon government , which recently Informed the United States that it had rejected propral- Ikcs made by Spain to enter Into an offen sive alliance and propossd to remain strictly neutral. Portugal will be expected to carry out its Intention In tbls respect , Ita neu trality cbligitiocs will pencil it t give to the Spanish vessels only sufficient coal to eniblethem to reach the next Spanish port , tifcich In this cose would be the Oacary UUnd , and. once tfcey have left that port , they caanst return for coal or j > ro- vUlons. Ml.MVTER POI.O GOES TO CA.XVDA. \V1II Muke Toronto HU Headquarter i' IlurlnK ! Trouble. TORONTO. April ! ! . J- Enoch Thomp on. Spanish consul ic tbli city , tas received an dispatch from Seao.Pao y Bernabe ntatlng that be oald arrive In Toronto on Siturday. Il Is expected that tbe Spanish minis : rr and tU taff will remain here far the prteeat and will likely make Toronto tkrir beadutrfrs during hostilities. BUFFALO. N. Y. . Aprtl zi. ExOllnlster Polo y Beraab * . with bis staff arrived here at 11 a. ra , S < oor Polo absolutely declined to receive reporters or to aJlaw a yoe e ! e to enter his ear. He even eate-el hi * state room and pulled dowa the shades. The party left iere for Suspecsloa B JJje at Cln.e $ i > anUh C a alate la few York. NEW YO3K. April tL The Spanlth con- salate pttieral In tbl rlty was closed and Us tttilre fornailly turced over to the Frerrt Ci-ctiJ trceral tcdtr. EXPERT OPINIONS ON WAR Noted Ingliitmea Talk of the Impending Niial Coflct : MEN IMPOHTANF FACTORS IN STRUGGLE ImlU Unnltty of Commander * Conn I for Jtore Than Gnnn and 31 a- cblurrvQoe tlon of Contraband - band ut War UUcuwed. ( Copj-rlrtU us . by Prr * PublUhlne Cstapiny ) LONDON , Vpril 21. ( New York World Co- blegiana Special Tele-gram. ) Admiral Sir George Elliott Kieb , late commander in chlel at ( Portsmouth , one of the most distinguished of living British admirals , has given me the . following signed statement ot his anticipa tion , of the probable naval strategy of Spain : "I think that the naval strategy of Spain will be to allow the United Sutes fleet to attack tbe forts at Havana , if they ere FO unwise J , alco to land troop * on the south side , trusting to the yellow fever to fight , places j , but as Havana ic , I understand , short of , provisions , a blockade would soon dis tress them. Thereupon the Scanlea fleet would come to relieve the blockade and there the tea fight would be. That IB my proph ecy. " Admiral Lord Charles Beresford , asked this evening for his forecast of the naval campaign , said : "I could draw up a pnn of campaign for the United States or Spain , but the soundness In either case would depend upon contingencies , reipectlng which I have Information . , Therefore , I do sot feel justified in making any speculation , but what I will say Is this : That In naval war fare henceforward everything will depend opoa the Individuality of tie commander. A good fleet with a bad commander at its head will be worse off than a bad feet with a good man In command. The competent man -will be worth his weight , not in gold , but in diamonds. Jlanwill be the deciding factor In future naval wars. The notion that machinery gucs are all important is easily exaggerated. " CONTRABAND OF WAR. Asked whether he was satisfied with the answer given by Balfour to hs ! question in the House oa the subject of contraband of war. he said : "I ata gratified that the United States hae given adhesion to the declara tion of Paris , aad wll ! put down a further question tcnlght to be asked Monday whether Spain has Cone likew-ise. If Spain refuttt aaJ reecrts to privateering the Ualte-d States will be forced In self-defense to do like wise. The questlcn as to whetber coil Is contralaad of war Involves knotty legal points ani it must have taffied the law ad- vU rs of the government. Judging by Bal- four's vague reply. ' Much private dUcus-'ioti arose subsequently among members of Parliament and autboM- ties oa international law oa the subject of coal being coatrabind. If eo declared , it would largely determine the course of the impending naval struggle. A majority of legal experts are of tbe opinion , that the de cision must be left In all casrs to prize courts , though practically all are agreed that coal being carried for use by war thlps Is undoubtedly contraband. llr. Balfonr's answer that the Audir , now being repaired near Cork , being commis sioned as a ship of the Spanish navy , it would be contrary to iaternstioEil practice to de tain it after a declaration cif war. also ex cited much surprise aad doubt in tbe Hsu e , where the acute desire exist * to avoid a rep etition of the Alabama experience. I ques tioned a leading cabinet minister concerning th ? legal arpect of" the matter , who replied. "M ? . Balfour's revly is quite right so fcr is it went. The cabinet has ben advised that the usual proper course would be , 11 the Audax is still in a British port at the fcme of war being declared. It should be re quested to leave as teen as It is fit for pea without receiving any additloa to its mili tary equipment and with CM ! aad provisions euadent only to enable it to proceed to the nearest Spanish port. The same principle applies to the United Steles torpedo boat. Soniers. It still at Fulmouth after a declare tloa of war. " 5PAI.VS METHOD OF PHOCEDUnE Heprfrt that Uon Willet Renort to Irlateerlnc * . tCOFJTiebt. IE * , by Pus * PuWishing- Company ] BERLIN. April 21. { New York World Co blegram Special Telegram. ) From a relia ble source I hear that Spain will not author Ire a privateer fleet. Its ccnduct In this respect will follow that of the United States. All Spain has don- till the present Is making I ] provision for a second reserve fleet cam j ] posed ot merchant vessels. Letters o j | marqua will not be Issued , nor Is it'believed ! here in official circles that Spain will allow 1 the time civen la the ultimatum to run by , , not declaring war. The oplnlcn of German ! military authorities is that the first shot wll , be fired outside of Havana. - WASHINGTON. April SI. There ar i strong Indications that If the Spanish gov ernment persists in the present announced policy of commissioning privateers to prej oa commerce effective Influences will be brought to bear en it by several great coin f mercial powers , partJcnkrly Great Britain ; and Genaany. to stop this privateering , w to make It practically laeffcctlve and harm less. j It is understood that the British govern I meat has aot determined upon Its final lin | of actioa. except that the Brlt'sh cerchaa t ships thall be protected at any haird , even ' if British war ships are called upoa to estab- llsh a protective patrol across the Atlantl , Bo far ta France is concerned , its commer ' clal interests tre against privateer n ; , bu ' Its sentiments ere toward allowing Spain t prosecute about the only effective means o j warfare at Its disposal , Russia , Austria , Italy and nearly all of th . nations of Europe and Soath America , som ' fcrty In number , are signers of the treat : ) of Paris against privateering , bat this bind them alone and do s not require them t exrr : Influence oa Spain ta itop this mod , of uarfare. The action of the United States Is receive , with great favor , am.de from its bearing o ( tte approaching conflict , as ltU said to glv ( American adherence fcr the future to th abolition of privateering , althoajh this coca try ha * refuted that adherence for the last fcny-two years. The first article of the trea'y cf Paris , of ISM. U In these wordsl "Priviteerins Is. and remains , abolished. " The original parties - ties to th * declaration'were' Great BritaJa. France. Rursla. Austria , Sardinia anj | Turkey. Otter countries followed later la accepting it , the United States and Spata ialoce hoMnc out aealast U. ; Propoiils were made to tte United States to accede to the declaration , but Mr Marcy. J ties iceretiry sf slate , declined to sign , Tte 'nlted ' States , he beid. was at disadvan tage with powers BalaUlalag large navies nd aralntl them reservedjtte right to eta- > loy privateers. Its extend teacoast , he x > intrd cut , also placed it t a disadvantage , ince th a , however , la thv lrxlnn war and ivtl war. tbe Unfied States did not resort o privateers , althoega congress authorised the cse of privateer * la the civil war. With a new navy fJt approaching dlmen- rlons of other naval powers and the ex- ended seacoast fortified at all vital points the objections raised by Mr. , Marcy no longer pply and this doubtltsi contributed to the eterxnlnatlon of the United States to accede o the abolition of privateering. FKKU1XG IS FH1UADLY. Brltlnh Co lna WUh America Well In the llattle. Cojirrirht , 1M * . br Pr * Publi'hlne Cmpiny ) LONDON. April n. < New Tork World Ca- rtegram Special Telegram. } The reasons assigned for Henry White's presence at iVashlagtoa are various and conflicting. At he embasoy it is ctited that he has merely groe on an anaual leave la the normal course > f affairs. Telegrams published from Wash- ngton today declare be Is engaged In lay- ng the foundations for negotiations for a reaty ot alliance between , the United State * aad Great Britain. It Ic further added thit he ia armed with a letter trcm the priace of Wales la favor of the project. This lat er statement I ? regarded as ridiculous , as he prince would be actlag unconstitution ally la loterferlag , evea If so disposed , which is highly unlikely. The alliance story obtains no credence here. Exhaustive Inquiries among the best nformed ministerialists of the House of ornajoas toaitut failed- evoke the falnt- st confirmaton of It. The time to act is regarded as ripe for such a project , but it is thought quite probable that Lord Salis bury may seize the present favorable con dition of feeling to seek to obtain the passage of an arbitration treaty at Wesh- ncton. I was Infornaed that the real ob- ct of Mr. White's mlsrion to Washington wtn seen in the United States' adctsion to the declaration of Paris. In return .for which concession ( for It Is deemed a coartssloa by Great Britain ) , it is believed thct Eng- and will ho'd aloof from all European com blcatloas in favor of Spain. Tbe news that the Spanish fleet had sailed from Ctpe Verde proves baeelees , as a tele gram published la the evening papers states it is still there. The latest report la diplomatic quarters Is that Austria aal Kraacp are endeavoring toirraage aa underttaadlas among the con tinental powers , that If the United States deals a deceive blow at Spiln , putting it in wtat is diplomatically termed a "posi tion to manifest Inferiority. " that thsy shall Intervene W eave Spsinfrom being hope lessly teatea. Italy and Germany are de clared to be bo * Indisposed to agree to this scheme , as neither wishes to drive England and the United Stated , closer together. The change of tone on the part of the Times this momlag is Tt-eirded as a most significant omen of tbe. ditire of the British govsrnmeat to promote- entente with tbe United States. Till toiar the Tines tas been critical. If noUa l-American , hut BOW it declares that all Ecglish sjmpatby is with the United Statw In tbe struggle. IMIOVISIOXS 5CAKCE IX II * VAX A Town Can nollr lie TnUen lir Amer ican Fleet. ( Ccprrlcht. IMS. by Press Publlfhlnc Campinj : ) HAVANA , April 21. ( New York World Cablegram Spelal Telegram. ) News of the situation in Madrid and Washington causes the greatest excitement here and is dls- cucssd by excited groups In the streets. The military authorities have done everything la their power to preptre for bombardment end Invaiioa by the United States army. The population dares not express Itself to any great extent. Tremendous excitement has prevailed ever since' Lee's departure. The people still expect a heavy Mow at any mo ment. The population keeps to the < houses until today , -when it gathered In groups to discuss the situation. Provisions have teea daily growiag drarer. If the American fleet blockaiies Havana it c-antake * the town without firing a shot. A can of condenoed milk ctlls for SO cents. Ham , which was IS cents a pound , now srts ! at 30 cents. Potatoes are 16 cents a pound. Gta and other liquors are eteadlly Increas ing ID price. Values of provisions zed nec- e&ssries have doubled- and trebled in price and are still golag up. Spanish paper money nobody nil.have. . A Spanish cental , valued at $4.70 5n American maaey. Is quoted a $15 la Spinifh , but nobody will exchange one lor tue pifbr stuff. - Spanl' h will welcome war , taaay of them because they secretly desire annexation Only the most ignorant Spaniards believe they have a chance of success against the Unite : States. The Cubans are absolutely certain now of freedom and coiTesc sdla tiated. If the volunteers get a chance they arill massacre the Cubans. Blaacs's difi cultiea increiss every day.With the pros pect ahead of him of bombardment by the American fleet , he ess behlcd him a deter mined foe in the Icjurgeats. The rebels in the field are in inter condition than ever They do rot pay any attention to the armis tice , which the1 regard as a Spinfcii rute Engagements are reported tverr day * H o the tolasS. but the news is suppressed h re Ths Cuban fcrces are rnsvbrs fcrwarj and will get as clc&e to H-sva.ua es po& < 3"e. MOIJ HUEXIKS LOOSC IX MADRID u1Kierlean Kafir- and Throw ItllH Into the -Strcctx. MADRllr April II. Crowds paraded the streets t.clgat. The nalt. gtthered. In fron cf tlie Equ.taKe Life lcscran.e building aad smissed the American eagle to bito. It car rifi the fragments to tae.eire.l * . Tie civl govsraor of Madrid. Secor.Agul'Jera. Instead of prohibiting the disorder allowed con- plete liberty o ! asttea. jricsllas sajods the deaiaritratore.- was Icudly cfceercd. espe- clal.y hea the American escutcheon mas thrown , from the balcony of thj Bjultib'e bnUdiag ani fell at his let. Aguillera , if If trampling ca tbttcrutthetn addressed tie pofulice. amid enthuita tjxhcere. tte sal ; "The Spanish lion ! roused from hh slumber * . He will rtukt Jill mice aiid dls perse tie rest of the brute creatlaa. " Will Acf lu J'olo' . Absence. WASHINGTON. Aptil 51. TreFre ( = ch am barsidor , M Camboe. accompanle ] by hla secretary , M. Ttlttaut , aad the Austrian mlalster. Mr. Henptlsuller , called at the State department today aad gzve oZciil n- tice thit they had atiuraed ctarre of Spain's interexts la this eocntry. pezding the severance of diploauti : relations between tte United State * arl Spain. ' - i > { : ain CalU Oct llm Hnvrrro. ; ' LONDON , April S A special dltpafh from MaJril cay * tie coveraaaeat ha * au thorized the calling out of &O.OM ie.-tr.-ei. Thne veueU loaded . lth trees left Ca.ilz yesterday ( Thandajr ) ter a 0 rtl aUo3 cot LEET YET AT ST. VINCENT 'panuh ' War Vessels Still Esmih at Oipe Veids /ESSELS / FROM CADIZ EXPECTED SOON \dmlral In Command and Senior Offi cer * Hold a Council of War , but > o hlnc In Kntmn of Their Concln lou . I'M. by Fret * rulill-hlns C > tnp.nyj ST. VINCENT : Cape Verde Island * . April : i. ( New York World Cablegram Special "elegram. ) The Spanish war fleet from Cadiz Is expected here to reinforce the equad- ron of tea war chips now here waiting orders rom Madrid. The admiral In command and the f-enior officers of the combined cquad- roas bere held a council of war today , but took great precautions to insure eecrecy. rhe swift lorpedo boat Raye , wfaote sp ed s said t to be twenty-four knots ca hour. eav s this harbor nightly far patrol duty ir recoanoiterlng. The route by which tbe message from St. rincent. Cape Verde Islands , reached Omaha wee from St. Vincent to Madeira , thence to - bo.n , to Londm , thence to New Tork. hence to Chicago. The dispatch wcs re ceived at the cable office In New York at 3:55 p. m. Making allowance for the dif- erence In time and time required for tranu- nisoioa. tbe dispatcbwas filed at Sc Vin cent late In the afternoon. The dispatches Tom St. Vincent ore not - lthin reach of a Sp&nlib censor or Spanish influence , es tbe route JQt'ADUOX IS STILL , AT KUY WEVT. It in Expected tonll at Almont Any Moment. . KEY WEST , Fla , . April II. At 12 o'clock this noon the recall guns boomed from the fleet , ordering all the officers and men who were sphere to rejoin their ships forthwith. At nightfall , however , there had been no movement of the fleet , and there is not likely to be any before morning , as the Cin cinnati and the Marblehead have been ordered to the docks to take on coal and water. Warlike bulletins followed last upon one another today and Intense excitement has prevailed since early morning. Rumors that sailing orders had beea received were afloat throughout the afteraooa , but no official con firmation of them could be obtained. The matter of fact manner with which th highest officials accepted the newspaper bul letins to thi * effect Indicated that authori tative information. If not Instructions , had come from Washington , and the activity on tbe ships and docks bore out the reports of an early movement. This morning tbe first organization of the various battalions of marines on the North Atlantic squadron uas formed end war maneuvers were executed , chiefly that cf landing parties. Three hundred and ninety- five men were In lice , under command cf Captain Mancll C. Codrell. At S o'clock thi ? evening Captain Sampson bed received no orders from Washington rel ative to sailing. He was expecting instruc tion s. Just before this dispatch was sent It was ordered that * team should be gotten up in the four boilers in the New York. This would enable it to make fifteen miles an bctr. . which Is e greater speed than could be maintained by tbe squadron as a whole. Toward midnight a hurry message came ashore ordering .several naval officers of the flagship oa beard immediately. At 12:30 there was no movement on the part cf the fleet , but signalling was etlll progressing , and there were many signs of activity. No naval men were then ashore. At that hour one of the CJrchraEti's stewards went out on a hired craft. It was said the fleet Is under crders to sail at 4 o'clock. 2:35 a. in. The war ships lying In the Inner harbor are apparently drawing nearer tte flagship. Two are now moving out. They are thought to be the monitor Amphltrltc and the gun boat Helena. The signalling is continuous and the eeirch lights of the Io and New York are industriously sweeping the waters of the outer harbor. FLYIAG SQUADRON READY TO SAIL. Officer * and Men Show Great En- thnnln m. FORT MONROE , Va. . April L Beginning with the reception of the first news bul letins from Washington today. intense ex- cittfcat prevailed here , both on [ bare and amaag the officers en3 men of the squadron The officers wbo came cshare in tbe after noon were notified that they must report on board at 10 o'clock at the latest and no "A ! night" shsre leaves would be granted. The officers of the Masc-acbucetts were told that they must re-port at 5:30 : en board , when leave tnight be granted for a few bours to see friends. These two orders led to all sorts cf rumors aa annoying one being that the MassaebU' setts had been detached , wtilch was promptly denied. At the hotels , wbere many of the of Seers' wives were located , there was greai conotenation , it being believed the squadron would sail before morning. On the receipt of tbe bulletin that the Span ish believed tbe ultimatum to be a declara- tloa of war. Conxrwdore Schley tfgnale : from the Brooklyn for all engines to be coupled. In psrt ships' engines are ua coaple-d and ere not usually coupled until a sea. Arrangements were inide for the tele graph sutiozd on ehjre to remain open al QiLbt to receive diepitchcf. Despite the strain oa ail nerves tonight into and officers are enthusiastic to a de gree. aad that was demonstrated when th torpedo b it Rodger * stopped by tbe Brook lyn on its way out to join the Key Wee squadron , to : sk permi.-scn ! of Commodori Schley to proceed. Tbe csen flocked to thi foreeictles of tbe veeeets and cheered hecrtlly. The Rodger * went cut o = ce be fore , but rubbed ca o sandbar and slightly Injured ita screw. While the injury was no severe , it was though ; b t ta fix it. and : Us work was completed today. Il went oa _ of Hamptsn Roii * at full speed , j The colliers assigned to the s-.uairon , tb Mer liac ad the Taturn. are rot quite re T4 but may be in a day The hospital boat It ] still In the bands of the shl 'i bulHtri. te- \ lag converted , aid car not be ready with a | crew for several days. I Captain Higgintoa said tcnlsht thit any ! ! statement to the elect that the Mt&s ciuwt m ft had ten ordered to'iro to New York City for de.'ens ; cf that harbcr was -astrre. Cloven tLe Harbor atMvlit. . rCdTLL.CCD. Me. . April II The lljht house board has girea notice that oa acd after Tuesday. April :6. and uatJ further ' orders , all channels lejdjj to Portland I harbor Xroa the sea wll ] be cloud ta cavl- THE BEE BULLETIN. Weather Forecttt for Ntbraikt fhi'wen , C > .lJ r Northerly XVnd ! . Ft FT 1. < naln Throw" fincntlet lloirn. Kxperl Opinion" on War. | ialn' lilp Mill at 51. Vincent. War C < iii.lltlon TVotv l're all. 2. Movement" nt the Troop * . Wnr * tlnmlntc irtl\lt ; ' rnotinaoter General Ciarr lte l rn . \elirnnka > e - I ) < ilnic1 > In the nprenie Conrt. Hull < vnKin Ofen In Omaha. 4. l lltorlal anil Comment * R , Imllnn O mrrei to I'roi > ennte lln n Ilu y Inj. Text ut lltlmntam to ft. C'nnnell lllatT" Lt > eul 31 Iu ra Ae and Cnmnie , 7. General \ < -n of Karl S5Uln Cameo and the Oninha Mreet Car He ( I Ue\lr of Recent I * TratellnK Men' Com I'aclfle CxireK Com 11 Cammerrlal and Pin 1ST MllltarjTeleirrnpnr Cheap Suninierliie Temperature nt Omnhni tour. DecHour. . n a. m r.i 1 p. nt n a. m. . . . . . r. : : - p. m < > ! 7 a * m r 2 3 p. m Ml S a. m % - ! A p. n ( > It a. ni MI r. p. m < iI 10 a. m r s C p. m ( IS 11 n , in > ( T p. m ( iU ( (3 S p. u Alt U p. in r.s gatlon by a system of explosive torpedoes. and all vessels are forbidden to attempt to jiss through any except the channel from the southward , between Portland Head aad Gush- ng island. rirxisu THI : COLORED TROOPKTIS. Conrt-Mnrtlal for Tliree In the Key We t Ulxtnrlinnee. KEY WEST. Fla. . April ! . The town i * agog today over last night's collision be tween tbe municipality acd tbe military , when Sergeant Williams of the Twenty-fifth infantry ( colored ) wcs taken from the county | all by ftiow : soldiers at the rifleV" point. As a result of this conflict. Williams and Private Coles of the same company , who is said to have two tbe lea'er of the attackIng - Ing party , have been coo3ned la thei'guard aouse , at the request of the mayor aad local authorities , the latter tlag uaable to guaraatee eufflcieat pfotectlcn. Lieutenant Colonel Daggett said tbte morn. Ing that when the troops arrived they were ordered not to wear their side arms , and ttat Williams , la eo doing , had violated the civil as well as the military law. snd that the k Ml authorities were fully Justified la arresting him. The ofiicer added that Williams , Cole aad their companions will b ? turaei over to the civil powers and punned to the full ex tent of tbe law. after which a court-martial will follow. During the day Wllliszs had a hearing before a Juetlct of the peace and was h ia Jl.OOO ball for trial at the May term of thecourt. . There was no demonstration at the hearing. WHITE HOUSE IS TO BE GUARDED ETery , Preennflon Will He Token to Proteet tUe President. WASHINGTON. April 2L The Post to morrow will say A military euardwill be placed at the Whit * House in a few day ? . This has ben flnltely settled , but none of the details of arrangements are known. Colcnel nKbam. suprrin'cndent of public buildings and KTOunOs' . will have charge ot the guard and * uch o'bers as may l p'acad at the pub ic buildings. A conference -was held today between Major Moore , superintendent of police , and i ? * Wilk1e of the United States s ret n rrlre In. re-ga.-d to a civil guard at tb ; White Hous > . The fore ? ar und the proumJ" ( will bs larpely Increased and many ditectlvs * in citizens' cJotbejwill 1 > ? placfj on du r. Ev ry pncatitionwill be taken to protect tbe president from any possible daranr. Torpedoes and mines are being plan'ed In the Potomac btiow Washington. They are bein ? put there is a , safeguard tn cas * o : on emergency and the exact locations of the nrfnft ? aretxins kept pecret. The tna- J Thy of tin ? work Is btlw ; done by nlph and pufbfd fcrward xvl h the po ? ib'e con Unsency cf a fleet attempting to shell the capital. PREPARIXG A ItnVEXl'B 3IEASCRE onie Opponltlon to a Tax on Tea and Coffee. WASHINGTON. April JL The republican members of the way * and means commit tee expect to complete lue war revenue mcccore and have it ready for subraissioa to the full ccianiUtte tomorrow or Saturday at the latest , Oae of tiie biggest contests In progress In the committee is over the ques tion of taxing tea end coffee. The proposl tlco to place 10 cents Ux oa tea end ! cents upon coffee has met considerable oppo sition and various 5.ugge tlns have been made as to subjects for taxation in lieu of tea end coffee. Among them Is a propcsl- tloa to place M-ceata per barrel tax on pe troleum , but It now seems probable tbat this will be ebaadoaed. There is as3a ! propo sition to tax mkieral waters , wines , etc. but a propssitloa which now meets with more favor is to tax railroad tickets ani slt-eplng car tickets 10 cents for each trip of over 100 miles. It i estimated between J50.000.000 and fJ5.OW.OW ) could be raised from this source. COLORED PEOPLE OFFER St'PPORT Tender Their Ser lee n Soldier * to the Prenldenl. W.VSHINCfTON. April : i The tupsort o the colored people of the Cnitl-i States to the country In the coming war was formally tendered to the president today by a repre srntative from that race. Headed by ex Governor Piaehback ot Louisiana , it prt ctoted an addrec ? la which attention' was called ta the valuable services of eolort- . troops uader Jackeoa la li ani during th oivll war. whfn they fougtit for the preserva tion of the union. In closing the address To support you In your determination ti extend liberty on this continent , and ti maintain tbe tenor and dignity of ou country , we tender you the moral and phy slcal support f .0' < > .000 colored Americans. Klrnt Shot. MADRID. April II. At the cibinet conn ell this afternoon Ssgafta , addressing the queen regent , said : "The first cannon shot U ( almost audible. " > ! ovn en ( of Oeran Ve el April _ . At Hamijurs Arrived Palatla. from Ntw Tort At Livtrpx ) : Arrived EiTeenland , from I'hilad'i hit. At London Arrived Manitoba , from New Tctk. At Qu * na..own Sailed Rhyntand , for Philadelphia ; T.'utonlc , for Ne - York. At Onoj-Sal5 l Fulaa. for XT Y-rk. At no teriam Sal'tdVrrkrndam. . for Xiw York. A * New York ArT ve < S German c , frcm Liverpool. WAR IS NOW A FACT pain Precipitates it by Presjnting Wood- ford His Pasipcrls. EFU3ES TO RECEIVE THE ULTIMATUM a Officials Ccnuder This a Declaration of War. QUADRON IS ORDERED TO GO TO HAVANA Blociade Will Be Mads at Occe of AU th Cnban Ports. URTHER NEGOTIATIONS ARE CUT OFF OITlcJnl AatlHrntlon In ent to Otlier OMernnieut of the Ulorkade of llninnn and the Cnniinlirn In Alrendr t'nilcr Headway. n'ASHlXGTOX. April IL War between he Vnlt'ed States and Spain it a fact , though ot yet officially declared so by cpogress. The stirring events of jesterdsy were suc- eedei today lth rapidity of others of equal mporUnre , culminating In the afternoon n orders for the departure of the North At- antlc squadron for Havana. This practically is an act of ar. so that he war oetweea this country acd Spain may airly be raid to date from today , April 21. > S. S.T T o minutes after the opining of the State department this morning came word rom Minister Wosdford that the Spanish government , having anticipated and pre vented his hitentloa to present he presi dent's ultimatum , he hid asked for his pass ports. The administration in a public statement announced that it regarded the action of the Spanish government as rendering uaneces- ary further diplomatic actlcn oa the part of the United States , and further stated that t regarded the course adopted by Spain as one placing upon that country the respco. slbillty for the breach of friendly relation * . Mr. Woodford's telegram resulted in the calling of a special cabinet meeting to ar range an outline of a plan of campaign , or rather to determine how to begin the eie- cutlcn of the plan of campaign already pre pared by the strategic boards of the army and navy departments. The imnjed.ate re sult was the order for the 'North Atlantic squadron to bega ! the blockade of Havana. How much further than this the cabinet progressed la its deliberations , it is not pos sible to say , for tte obvious reason that the time ias now come whin the interests of the government require that the movements of ships and troops should be guarded with the greatest care from uadue publicity in order ; o prevent the tneiny from' taking adantas of information. IS A FORMIDABLE SQUADRON. The North Atlantic rqoidron , under Cnp- taln Sampson's command , makes a splendid array of fine vessels , compriring battUiahlps such as the Iowa and Indiana , monitors like the Puritan and Terror , armored cruiscro like the New York , flagship ; protected cruls- like the Cincinnati. Jlarblehtad and Montgomery , gunboats like the Vlcksburg , Wilmington and Annapolis , regular torpedo boats such a the Erlccrun. Cashing. Winslow - low and the like , and not to soik , of the large number of fast yacits and other ves sels that have been added to the fleet by purchase. This force lj quite competent to blockade all the ports In Cuba , ov at Ucst all of tha ports conntjctlns by rill with Havana , and so likely to be used to rapply that place ia the event 5T elege with food and munitions of war. This statement is to be taken with the un derstand Ing that it does not contemplate th coming to Cuban"waters of the SpinLsh fleet. In such case , however , the p'robible policy ould be to abandon the tilockade and en deavor to force the Spanish fleet to battle. Minister Woodford's onion during the day. aa reported to the Stile deportment In a late telegram. Indicated that he was follow. Ing a carefully prepared program. A signifi cant feature of his messige was the state ment that tie Spanlra government notified him that it regarded its withdrawal of Min ister Polo yccterdey as terminating diplo matic negotiations , showing that it was not disposed to accept the expretsed Intention of oar government to continue Mr. Woodftwd as a medium of communication until Satur day noon. Mr. Woodford also announced that be hal Instructed Consul General Bowen , at Bar celona , to cause all the American consul in Spain to Immediately withdraw from the country. He further eaid tint he had in formed tbe Spanish government , efter ask ing for his passports , that he Lid placed the America : legation In Madrid , and Ameri can interests In Spain generally. In the hands of tbe British embassy. The ambassador. Rt. Hon. Sir H. Fry Drunimond Wolff , Is not at pr ent In Ma drid , so American interests will be cceSael to tbe British charge. Sir George JG. F. BM- ham , bert , NEGOTIATIONS ARE CUT OFF. To all latent * sod purposes tbl relieve * the State department from further negotla- tlans as to Cuba , save tbose relating to pri vateering , neutrality observances , aad tte like. It was found neeeceury to frame a notice ttrthe powers of the Intention of our govern ment to estdblUb a blockade of Havcaa , notification required by International tew. The Navy depirtment today , aside from giving tbe orders to the cqucdron , continued the work of adding to the navy , and pur- ch * * d cnother ship at Norfolk as ea auxiliary craft end some tm ll ya'hts. Tbe news of tbe actual beginning of war was received witfa gravity at tbe depart ment , and there were miny speculation * 6m to Use destination of tbe Spanish squadron. Oae suggestion wad that it is beading to cut off the fine battle-strip Oregoa , oow ca lt way from tbe Pacific coast around to Join Captain Sampson's command. There it alto come fear that tbe Oregon , may be taken at an unfair adianUge. with' out knowledge a ! the existence of war , by the Sraolsb torpedo bo t destroyer. Tea- cserir. which is rrrr lying at Buenos Ayrw. Pcsejbly with a view to avoldicg con flict In the ttalti } of Magellan , wbere It would be at a d ! idr < icage. ! the Oregon be brcn ordered to go around Car Horn. Relative to the ncw that comes ( rom Chl- tisa thzt the three revenue cutter * oa the j Ithts csnc'-t be atriicd of for cavil pur- | pcr's it is sa d at the Navy department that u * i.r ! &cn : he4 Mice time ace aban *