Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1898-04-28

Washington, april 22.-War between
the United States and Spain is fact,
though not yet officially declared so by
congress. The stirring events of
Wednesday were succeeded Thursday
with rapidity by others of equal i'm
portance, eliminating in the afternoon
in orders for the departure of the North
Atlantic squadron for Havana. This
practically is an act of war, so that the
war between this country and Spain
may fairly be said to date from Thurs
day, April 81. 1898.
Responsibility Is SPANS.
Two minutes after the opening of the
state department Thursday morning
came word from Minister Woodford
that the Spanish government, hav-
ing anticipated and prevented his
intention to present the presidents
ultimatum, he had asked for his
passports. The administration in a
public statement announced that it
regarded the action of the Spanish gov
eminent as rendering unnecessary fur
Their diplomatic action on the part of
the United States, and further stated
that it regarded the course adopted by
Spain as one placing upon that coun>
try the responsibility for the breach of
friendly relations.
Cuban Ports BIOckaded.
Washington, April 23.-The follow
ing proclamation, announcing a block
ade of Cuban ports, was issued Fri
day:
''By the President of the United States:
Proclamation. Whereas. by joint reso-
luton passed by the congress and approved
April 90 1898, and communicated to the gov
eminent of Spain, 1t was demanded that
said government at once relinquish its au-
thority and government in the island of
Cuba, and withdraw its land and naval
forces from Cuba and Cuban waters; and
the president of the United States was di-
rected and empowered to use the entire
land and naval forces of the United States,
and to call into the actual service of the
United States the militia of the several
states to such extent as might be necessary
TO carry said resolution into effect: and
Whereas, in carrying into effect said
resolution, the president of the United
States deems 1t necessary to set on foot
and maintain a blockade of the north Goa st
of Cuba. including all ports of said coas:
between Cardenas and Bahia Honda, and
the port of Cienfuegos, on the south coast
of Cuba:
Now, therefore, /, William Mckinley,
president of the United States, III order TO
er(orce the So | resolution. do hereby de-
clare and proc aim that the United States
of America have instituted. and will main
tain a blockade of the north coast of Cuba.
including ports on said coast, between Car
denas and Bahia Honda, and the port of
Cienfuegos on the south coast of Cuba,
aforesaid, in pursuance of the laws of the
United States and the law of nations APP
plcable to such cases. An efficient force
will be posted SO as to prevent the entrance
and exit of vessels from the ports afore-
said. Any neutral vessel approaching
said ports, or attempting to leave the same,
without notice or knowledge Of the estab-
lishment of such blockade, will be duly
warned by the commander of the blockad-
ing forces, who will indorse on her register
the fact, and the date, of such warning,
where such indorse ment was made; and If
the same vessels shall again attempt to en-
ter any blockaded port, she will be captured
and sent to the nearest convenient port for
such proceedings against her and her car
go as prize, as may be deemed advisable.
Neutral vessels lying In any of said
ports at the time of the establishment of
such blockade will be allowed 30 days to is
sue therefrom.
I'm witness whereof / have hereunto set
my hand and caused the seal of the United
States to be affixed.
"(Signed) WILLIAM M'KINLEY.
"By the President.
JOHN SHERMAN. Secretary of State"