The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-04-26
Woodford's Correspondence With
Spain Submitted,
OUR POSITION TO BE MADE CLEAR
Tho President Asked That War he
Declared in Order That the utter
national Status of tho United
states as BclIigcrcnt
Power May Bc Made
Known.

sage 10 congress.
To the Senate and House Of Representa-
dives Of the United States Of America:
transmit 10 the Congress 70: its con-
sidcration and appropriate action CORES
pondencc recently had with the United
states Minister at Madrid and through
the latter with the government Of Spain
showing the action taken under the Joint
resolution approved April % 1898. for
The recognition OF the independence of
the people OF Cuba. demanding that the
government Of Spain rclinquish its au-
thoylty and government IN the island of
Cuba and 10 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 10 carry these reso-
buttons into effect
WOODFORD'S WITHDRAWAL.
Ipon communicating 10 the Spanish
Minister An Washington the demand
which II became the duty Of the EXecu-
tive 10 address TO the government OF
soain IN obedience to said resolution, the
Minister asked for his passports and
withdrew The United States Minister
At Madrid was IN turn notified by the
Spanish Minister for Foreign Affairs that
the withdrawal of tho Spanish represe1-
tative from the United States had ter
minated diplomatic relations between the
two countries and all official communica-
lions between their respective represeh-
tatives ceased forthwith.
commend to your especial attention
the not addressed TO the United States
Minister al Madrid by the Spanish Min
ister for Foreign Affairs on the 2lst in
slant. whereby the foregoing notification
was conveyed IL will be perceived
therefrom that the government Of Spain.
having cognizance Of the action OF the
United States Congress and IN view OF
the things whereby the President was
thereby authorized 10 do. responds by
treating the reasonable demands Of this
government as measures Of hostility fol-
lowing with that instance servtTehce OF
relations by its action which by the
usage Of nations accompanied an exist
ing state Of war between sovereign pow
ers .-.,-.r,r,
REASON FOR THE BLOCKADE.
The nosition of Spain being thus made
known. and the demands of the United
states being denied with rupture OF
intercourse by the act of Spain. ! have
been constrained In exercise OF the power
and authority conferred upon me by me
Joint resolution aforesaid 10 proclaim,
under date Of April p. 1898 a blockade OF
certain ports Of the north coast Of Cuba
living between Cardenas and Bahia Hon
da. and Of the port Of CienfueSos on the
south coast Of Cuba: and. further. In eX-
ercise OF my constitutional powers. and
using the authority conferred upon me
hy the act OF Congress approved April
%. 1895. TO issue my proclamation dated
April %. 1905 calling for volunteers in
order to carry into effect the said reso-
lution OF Aln % 1875 Copies Of these
arc hereto amended.
STATE OF WAR
In view Of the measures so taken. and
with a view 40 the adoption Of such
other measures as may be necessary 20
enable me to carry out the expressed
will Of the Congrss OF the United States
in the premises 7 recommend the adop-
ton OF a joint resolution declaring that
state OF war exists between the United
States Of America and the Kingdom Of
Spain. and ] urge speedy action thereon
10 the end that the International status
Of the United States as a belligerent
power may bemade known and the as
sertion thereon to the end that the defin-
ton OF tn international status Of pub
&c war may be assured
(Signed) WILLIAM MKINLEY.
Executive Mansion, Washington April
o. 1905
The Presidents message was accompa-
MED by kilograms and notes that have
passed between the government OF the
United States and Spain. mainly through
Minister Woodford. but partly through
Minister Polo. II is believed that these
will clearly establish the position Of tho
government that Spain has recognized
the existence OF war.
IN the correspondence accompanying
the Presidents message was the follow
ing:
WOODFORD'S TELEGRAM
on April q. 1895 Minister WOodford
telegraphed Secretary sherman as fol-
lows
Following is extract OF my reply to the
official note received this morning at 7.3O
from the Spanish Minister Of state:
- have the honor to acknowledge the
receipt this morning Of your note Of this
date informing me that tho Spanish Min
ister al Washington has been ordered
20 withdraw with all his legation and
without loss OF time from North Ameri-
can territory. You also inform me that
by this act diplomatic relations between
the two countries arc broken off and all
Official communication between the re-
spective representatives ceased. I have
accordingly this day notified the Ameri-
can Consul General al Barcelona TO in
struct all Consuls In Spain 10 turn their
Consuls and leave Spain at once I have
myself turned this legation over 20 Her
Britannia Maiestys Ambassador AT Ma
drid That Embassy will from this time
have the care OF all American interests
IN Spain. I now request PASSPORTS and a
safe conduct 10 the French frontier for
myself and the personnel Of this legation.
] intend leaving this afternoon at 4
o'clock for Paris
(Signed) "WOODFORD."
SPANS REPLY.
Mr.. Woodford 10 Mr.. Sherman 0legram):
United States Legation.
biatisid. Phi q. 1885.
Following IS text Of official note received
this morning at 1880 from Spanish Minis
ter OF State.
In compliance with a painful duty
have the honor 10 inform your Excel
lency that tho President having approved
resolution OF both Chambers OF the
United States. which in denying the legit-
innate sovereignty Of Spain and threaten
ing an immediate armed intervention in
Cuba il equivalent TO an evident declara-
ton OF war the government OF His Ma
5csty has ordered its minister in Wash
ington 10 withdraw without loss OF time
from the North American territory with
all the personnel OF the legation BY this
act the diplomatic relations which pre-
viousiy existed between the two coun-
tries are broken on all of1cial COMMUNE
cations between thSlr respective fepgesen-