Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1898-04-27
DECLARATION OF War.
Both Houses of Congress Promptly
Responds to a Request Made
By the President.
PASS HOUSE WITHOUT DEBATE
An incident Without Parallel in the
History OF Legislative
Bodies.
PASS HOUSE WITHOUT DEBATE

IlOQ OF war against ToD1Iu.
The bill is as follows:
A BILL declaring that war exists between
the United States of America and tie
Kingdom Of Spain.
Be it enacted, by the Senate and House of
Representatives., III Congress assembled:
First-That war be and the same is hereby
declared TO exist, and that war has existed
since the DIST day of April, A; d. 1888. in
Guiding said day. between the United States
Of America and the Kingdom OF Spain.
Secondhand the President Of the United
State be and he is hereby directed and en-
powered to the entire land and naval
forces of the United States ana to call into
actual service Of the United States the
militia of the several states to such an eX-
tent as may be necessary to carry this act
into effect
To the Senate and House of Representa-
tiyes of the United States Of America: |
transmit to the Congress for its considera-
ton and appropriate action copies Of CORE
sp0ndence recently had with the representa-
tive Of Spain III the United States, with the
through the latter with the government of
Spain showing the action taken under the
joint resolution approved April 20, 1898,
for the recognition of the independence
OF the people or Cuba" demanding that the
government of Spain relnquish its authority
and government in the island of Cuba. and
to withdraw its land ana 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
minister in Washington the demand which
1t became the duty Of the executive to adj
dress TO the government of Spain, in obedi-
ence 10 said resolution. the said minister
asked for his passports and withdrew. The
United States minister ut 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 all
official communication between their re-
spective representatives ceased herewith.
n aI 1tt +l,t,
note addressed to the United States minister
at Madrid by the Spanish minister for for
elGn affairs on the list instant, whereby the
foregoing notification was conveyed. i viii
be perceived therefrOm that the government
OF Spain, having cogniZance of the joint res
olutI0n Of the United States Congress-. and
in view of things which the President is
thereby required and authorized to do, re-
sponqs by treating the representative de-
mandS of this government as measures of
hostility. following that with instant and
complete severance Of relations 10y its action,
whereby the usage of nations accompanies
an existent state of war between sovereign
powers.
The position of Spain being thus made
known ana the demands Of the United States
belhg denied with complete rupture of ia
tercourSe by the act Of Spain. | have been
constrained in exercise of the power and
authority conferred upon me by the joint
resolution aforesaid. TO proclaim under date
OF April -. 1888, a blockade of certain ports
Of the north coast Of Cuba, lying between
C9rdenaS and Bahia Honda and of the pct
Of CienfuegOs on the south coast of c :;
and further, in exercise of my constr ,u-
tlonal powers and using the authority con-
lefred upon me by the act of Congress. ap-
proved April 90. 1898 to issue nv DrOcIama-
ton, dated April %, 1898, calling for vol
unteers in order to carry into effect the
said resolution of April 20 1898 Copies of
these proclamations are hereto appended.
IN view of the measures taken. and
measures as may be necessary to enable me
to carry out the expressed will of the Con-
gfess OF the United States in the premises,
H. now recommend to your honorable body
me adoption OF joint resolution declaring
tnat state OF war exists between the Unit
60 states OF America and the kingdom of
the end that the definition of the interna-
t1onal status of the United States as a bellig-
erent power may be made known, and the
assertion OF all Its rights and the mainten-
ance OF all its duties in the conduct Of a
puDllc war may be assured.
WILLIAM MKINLEY
Executive Mansion, Washington, D. c.,
April %, 1898
I'm the House.
Washington, d. c., April 25.-The gal
lerles of the House We're thronged this
morning IN anticipation of the Presidents
message asking Congress to make a form
al declaration Of war. 1t was read i'm
medlately after prayer and was listened
10 with profound attention
There was no demonstration. at the con-
clus1on Of the reading, and no demand
Tor the reading Of the diplomatic CORE
SpOndence that accompanied the message
Inc speaker simply ordered it referred,
under the rules, to the committee on for
eign affairs, and to be printed for the in
formation of the House.
The House then proceeded with the con-
slderation of District of Columbia bust
ness. No interest was manifested in the
proceedings until after 1 o'clock
Acting Chairman Adams entered the
hall and the news that the committee
had unanimously agreed upon bill de-
clarlng the existence of state of war
was known all over the House. Mr.
Adams held hurried consultations with
the speaker and Messrs Dinsmore
and Berry of the minority Of the com
mittee.
At 1:20 p. m. he asked unanimous con-
sent for the consideration of the bill de-
claring the existence of state of war
between this country and the kingdom Of
Spain. There was not murmur of dis
sent. The bill was read. The House
held its breath.
Mr.. Mcguire Dem, CALI arose to ask
question, but refrained The question
OF the bill and IN magnificent chorus the
whole House responded aye
The announcement of its passage was
greeted with a round of applause and q
cheer or two from the floor and galleries.
and then the House resumed c0nsidera-
ton of the election case.
There was no excitement. It REQUIRED
exactly one minute and forty-one seconds
tor the House to pass the bill. No such
| impressive action can be recorded in the
legislative annals of any country
The House of Representatives had simp-
~ paused IN the consideration of its rou-
tine business to pass declaration of war
Mr.. Mcguire explained subsequently,
that his purpose in rising was to ask
whether the declaration in the bill that
war had existed since April p was in
tended to legalize the seizure of the
Buena Ventura. 81 consider that act and
the other seizures up to this time said
he. emphatically, nothing more than
piracy"
In the Senate.
Washington, D. c., April 25.-The Sen
ate went into secret session today on re-
ceiving the House war bill. Mr. Davis
moved to take up the House war bill and
then to amend the House bill by adding a
few words which the Senate committee
had agreed upon.
Senator Davis moved to close doors to
consider war declarations.
ia executive session Mr.. Turpie made a
Sn4pcb favor of Tecppnitinn of halliU-