The Topeka state journal., 1898-04-25
STATE OF War
Is Formally Declared to Be in
Existence
Between the United States and
Spain
BY THE PRESIDENT
In a Message Sent to Congress
Today.
National Legislature is Asked
for Formal Declaration.
HOUSE ACTS QUICKLY
Passes a War Measure by
Unanimous Vote.

Washington, April 25.-The president
today sent to congress the following
message, recommending a declaration
of war against Spain.
To the Senate and House of Represen-
tatives of America:
I transmit to congress for it's consid-
Grafton and appropriate action, copies
of correspondence recently had with the
representative of Spain in the United
States, 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 20, 1898, ''for the recog-
milton of the independence of the peo-
pie of Cuba, demanding that the gov
ernment of Spain relinquish it's author
sty and government in the island of
Cuba and to withdraw its land and ma
val forces from Cuba and Cuban wa
ters 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 Span
ish minister in Washington the de-
mand which it became the duty of the
executive to address to the government
of Spain in obedience to said resolution
the said minister asked for his pass
ports and withdrew. The United States
minister at Madrid was in turn notified
by the Spanish minister for foreign af-
fairs that the withdrawal of the Span
ish representatives from the U. S.
had terminated diplomatic relations be-
Ia fxUn trio nd rbo+ Of
the communications between their re-
spective representatives ceased there
with.
1 recommend to your especial atten-
ton the note addressed to the United
States minister at Madrid. by the Span
ish minister for foreign affairs on the
21st instant, whereby the foregoing no
tffication was conveyed. 1t will be per-
ceived therefrom that the government
of Spain, having cognizance of the joint
resolution of the United States con-
gress, and in view of things which the
president is thereby required, and auth
orized to do, responds by treating the
representative demands of this govern
ment as measures of hostility. following
with that instant and complete sever
ance of relations by its action, whereby
the usage of nations accompanies an
existent state of war between sover-
eign powers.
The position of Spain being thus made
known and the demands of the United
States being denied, with a complete
rupture of intercourse by the act of
Spain, have been constrained in eyer
else of the power and authority confer
red upon me by the Joint resolution
aforesaid, to proclaim under date of
April %, 1898, a blockade of certain
0nTf- Of
between Cardenas and Bahia Honda
and of the sy1ort of Cienfuegos on the
south coast of Cuba, and further in ex-
ercise of my constitutional powers and
using the authority conferred upon me
by the act of congress, approved April
p, '9S, issue my proclamation dated April
%, 1898, calling for volunteers in order
to carry into effect the said resolution
of April 20, 1898. Copies of these proc
lamations are hereto appended
In view of the measures taken and with
q view to the adoption of such other meas
ures as may be necessary to enable me
to carry out the expressed will of the con-
gress of the United States in the premises.
now recommend to your honorable body
the adoption of joint resolution declar-
ing that state of war exists between the
United States of America and the king
oom Of Spain, and L urge speedy action
thereon, to the end that the definition of
the international status of the United
States as 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 as
sured
(Signed) VIM MCKINLEY
Executive Mansion. Washington, d. C..
April 25, 1898.
Washington, April 25.-The following
bill, declaring the existence of a state
of war between this country and Spain.
since April q, passed the house by
unanimous vote:
Be it enacted, ETC.:
F1rst-That war be, and the same is
nerepy. declared to exist, and that war
%as existed since the 21st of April A.
~'' Asss. ancluding said day, between