Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1898-04-30
WAR DECLARED.
Cor~-"c1 Goes Through c Noces-
sary Formality.
Both branches of the National Legisl,turo
Pass Bill Announcing that War Ex-
lists Between the United States
and Spain - The Presi-
dents Message.

Washington, April 26.-The president
yesterday sent congress the following
message recommending declaration
of war against Spain:
To the senate and house OF representatives OF
the United States:
transmit TO the congress for its considera-
tion 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
latter with the government OF Spain, showing
the action taken under the joint resolution ap-
proved April 90, 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
island 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 to the Spanish minister
In Washington the demand which 1t became
the duty of the executive to address to the gov
ernment Of Spain In obedience to said resolu-
tion, 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 the Spanish representative from the United
States had terminated diplomatic relations be-
tween the two countries and that all official
communications between their respective rep
reSentatlVeS ceased herewith.
L commend to your especial attention the
note addressed to the United States minister
at Madrid by the Spanish minister for foreign
AFFAIRS on the 2lst inst, whereby the foregoing
notification was conveyed. 1t will be perceived
therefrom that the government of Spain, having
cognizance Of the joint resolution of the United
States congress and in view of the things
which the president is thereby required and
authorized to do, responds by treating the rea-
sonable demands Of this government as meas
ures OF hostility, following with that instant
and complete severance Of relations by its
action, which by the usage of nations accom-
panies an existent state Of war between SOW
ereign 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
exercise of the power and authority conferred
upon me by the joint resolution aforesaid, to
proclaim, under date of April %, 1893, block
ade OF certain ports 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 constitu-
tional powers and using the authority con-
ferred upon me by the act Of congress approved
April %, 1898, to issue my proclamation dated
April 23 1898 calling for volunteers in order tc
carry into effect the said resolution of April 20
| 1898 Copies of these proclamations are hereto
| appended.
In view OF the measures so taken, and with
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, now recommend tc
| your honorable body the adoption Of joint
resolution declaring that state of war exists
| between the United States of America and the
| kingdom 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 known and the asser-
Of n itG ri nd tba mn inga nf 4
| its duties in the conduct OF public war may
be assured. WILLIAM MCKINLEY
Executive Mansion, Washington, April 25
| 1898,
The house passed the bill declaring
| the existence of state of war between
the United States and Spain in man
ner which cannot fail to impress the
world. The representatives of 0.000,-
900 people voted for it without word
| of debate, without a dissenting vote
and without roll call. but with sol
emn appreciation of the gravity of
| their momentous action. 1t required
but one minute and Al seconds to ac.
complish this. The house was consid
ering an election case and simply
| paused to declare war. There was nc
excitement, no cavil, no word or ques-
| tion.
After the presidents message was
read the committee on foreign affairs
framed the resolution, Acting Chair.
man Adams wrote the report and it
was passed and on it's way to the SEN
ate in an hour and six minutes. The
speaker signed it at +:49. The remain
der of the day was devoted to the cleo
tion case of Wise VS.. Young, from the
Second Virginia district. The house
declined to agree to the senate amend
ments to the army reorganization bill
and it was sent to conference.
After debate of an hour and half's
duration, conducted in secret session,
the senate passed the bill declaring
that war exists between the United
States and Spain. The debate in the
senate was based on an amendment
offered by Senator Turpie providing
for the recognition of the belligereDt
rights of the insurgent Cubaus. The
amendment was defeated-3S to "a.
Following is the bill as adopted:
Be it enacted, etc.: First-That war be and
the same is hereby declared to exist and that
war has existed since the 2lst day of April
| 1888, including said day, between the United
States OF America and the kingdom OF Spain.
Secondhand the president of the United
States is hereby directed and empowered Jo
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 may be necessary TO
carry this act into effect
The war bill was brought from the
Capitol by the clerk of the enrolling
division and reached the White House
few minutes before o'clock. The
presidential signature was affixed at
6:15 and the measure was then the law
of the land.
Plarue Breaks Ont An Calcutta.