Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1898-04-28
.A DECLARATION Of WAR.
The President Sends a Message to
Congress Recommending a Formal
Announcement of Hostilities.
SENATE MILITARY COMMITTEES BUSY.
unteer Bill Considered-Democrat on
the House Ways and Means Committee
Want an Opportunity to Examine the
Provisions of the War Revenue BIN.

WANT an opportunity Go EXAMINE thS
Provisions of the War Revenue BIN.
WASHINGTON, April s6.-The presi-
dent yesterday sent to congress the fol-
lowing message, recommending dec
laration of war against Spain:
To the Senate and House of Representatives of
the United States OF America:
transmit to the congress for its considera-
ton and appropriate action copies of corre-
spondence recently had with the representative
OF Spain in the United States. with the United
States minister at Madrid and through the lat
ter, with the government of Spain, showing the
action taken under the joint resolution ap-
proved April 20. 1898, ''for the recognition Of
the Independence OF the people Of Cuba, de-
manding that the government of Spain relin-
Quish its authority and government In the is
land Of Cuba and to withdraw its land and
naval forces from Cuba and Cuban waters and
directing the president of the United States to
use the land and naval forces of the United
States to carry these resolutions into effect"
Upon communicating with the Spanish min
lister In Washington the demand which it be-
came the duty or the executive to address to
the government of Spain in obedience to said
resolution the said mini asked for his pass
ports and withdrew, The United States min
lister at Madrid was In turn notified by the
Spanish minister for foreign affairs that the
withdrawal OF the Spanish representative from
the United States had terminated diplomatic
relations between the two countries and that
Spect1ve representatives ceased herewith I
recommend to your especial attention the note
addressed to the United States minister at
Madrid by the Spanish minister for foreign af-
fairs on the 2lSt inst, whereby the foregoing
notification was conveyed. 1t will be perceived
therefrom that the government of Spain, hav-
ing cognizance of the joint resolution of the
United States congress and in view of things
which the president IS thereby required ana
authorized to do, reponds by treating the rep
reSentative demands of this government as
measures of hostility, following with that in
slant and complete severance of relations by
its action. whereby the usage of nations ac-
companies an existent state of war between
sovereign powers.
The position of Spain being thus made known
and the demands of the United States being
denied with complete rupture of intercourse
by the act of Spain, have been constrained,
in exercise of the power and authority con-
ferred upon me by the joint resolution afore-
said. to proclaim under date Of April p, 1898,
biockade OF certairFports of the north coast OF
Cuba, lying between Cardenas and Bahia
Honda and of the port of Cienfuegos on the
south coast of Cuba; and, further, in exercise
OF my constitutional powers and using the au-
thority conferred upon me by the act OF con-
gress approved April q. 1893. to issue my proc
lamation dated April % 1898. calling for volun-
teers In order to carry into effect the said reso-
luton of April 90 1898 Copies of these procIa-
nations are hereto appended.
In view of the measures taken, and with a
view to the adoption OF such other measures as
may be necessary to enable me to carry out the
expressed will of the congress of the United
States in the premises L now recommend to
your honorable body the adoption of q joint
resolution declaring that state of war exists
between the United States of America and the
ktngdonl of Spain. and urge speedy action
thereon to the end that the definition of the in
ternational status of the United States as q
belligerent power may be made known, and the
assertion of all its rights and the maintenance
Of all its duties in the conduct of a public war
may be assured WILLIAM MCKINLEY.
Executive Mansion Washington, April 25 1898
Senate Military Committee Busy.
WASHINGTON, April 26.-The senate
committee on military affairs met at
ten o'clock to-day to consider the army
reorganization bill and also to decide
whether the volunteer army bill re-
quires to be amended. 1t has been
claimed that the volunteer bill con-
tains some defects, but the authorities
of the war department, where these
were first pointed out, differ from
these critics in their construction of
the measure. Senator Hawley, chair
man of the military committee, has
asked the opinion of Senator Davis
and other eminent lawyers on the sub
ject and went into the committee pre-
pared to antagonize the contention
reorganization bill received the prin-
cipal attention of the committee. Sew
eral changes were suggested, but the
committee went to work promptly on
the measure and with the hope of
completing it at this sitting in order
that 1t. could be reported to the senate
to-day and disposed of at the earliest
practicable moment The bill is urged
+ h.
bers of the committee feel disposed to
expedite its consideration in the SEN
ate in order that the reforms provided
for in the bill may be Immediately set
in operation.
The War Revenue Tariff Bill
WASHINGTON, April 26.-The war
revenue tariff bill will not be report
ed to the house to-day. At the meet
ing of the ways and means committee
this morning when the bill framed by
the republicans was formally present
ed for consideration the democrats
protested earnestly against a pro-
gramme that would prevent them
from examining its provisions thor
| oughly before it was reported to the
house. They also asked for an oppor-
| tunity to offer amendments is in commit
| tee After some discussion it was de-
cided that the bill should be gone over
to-day. the republicans explaining its
provisions, estimated revenues, etc,
and that tomorrow the democrats
should be allowed to offer amend
ments The bill will be reported to
the house tomorrow, but its consider
| alton probably will not begin until
Wednesday.
The Pops Hopes for Spain's vIndicatiOn-
E.<IoHDoN. AnriI 26=The Rome GORE