The enterprise. [volume] (Wellington, Ohio) 188?-1899, 1898-04-27
1t Was Caused by an Attempt tt
Amend the Declaration.
QUICK WORK IN THE HOUSE,
Less than Two Minutes Were Required to
Approve the Document-The Vote Was
Unanimous in Both Branches of Con-
gress-The Presidents Message.

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 it became
the duty of the executive to address to the gov
ernment OF Spain in obedience TO said reSolu-
ton 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
resentat!ves ceased Herewith.
1 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 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 22 1893, block
ade of certain ports OF the north coast OF Cuba
living between Cardenas and Bahia Honda, and
OF the port OF Cienfuegos on the south coast Of
Cuba: and further in exercise Of my constitu-
Itonal powers and using the authority con-
.aferred upon me by the act ofcongress approved
I April 90 1893 to issue my proclamation dated
| April % 1893 calling for volunteers in order to
carry into effect the said resolution Of April 90
1895 Copies OF these procamationS are hereto
appended
| In view OF the measures so taken, and with a
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 to
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
4 md hut no NJ m
international status of the United States as a
bellgerent power may be known andth asser-
tion OF all its rights and the maintenance of all
its duties in the conduct of a public war may
he assured WILLIAM MCKINLEY.
Executive Mansion, Washington April %
lS9S
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 10000,
900 people voted for it without wore
of debate, without 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
: erinp an election case and simpl,
paused to declare war. There was NJ
excitement no cavil, no word or ques
ton.
; After the presidents message wa
read the committee on foreign affair
framed the resolution, Acting Chair
man Adams wrote the report and
was passed and on its way to the sen
u ate in an hour and six minutes. TIL
9 speaker signed it at 4:49. The remain
der of the day was devoted to the eleC
: ton case of Wise VS., Young, from tn
Second Virginia district. The hous
u declined to agree to the senate amenc
~ ments to the army reorganization bi
and it was sent to conference.
After debate of an hour and half
duration, conducted in secret session
. the senate passed the bill declarin
IS that war exists between the Unite
y States and Spain. The debate in tn
y senate was based on an amendmer
. offered by Senator Turpie providin
Il for the recognition of the belligere1
u rights of the insurgent Cubans III
/ amendment was defeated-3S to 2
&c Following is the bill as adopted:
~ BE It enacted, etc.. First-That war be a
d. the same is hereby declared to exist and u
W war has existed since the 2lst day of Apr
,o 1898, including said day, between the Unit
:" states Of America and the kingdom of Spain
te second-Tnat the president Of the Unit
te States is hereby directed and empowered
use the entire land and naval forces of
United States and to call into the actual serv
Of the United States the militia OF the seve
,r- states 10 such extent as maybe necessary
to carry this act into effect
in The war bill was brought from t
ar Capitol by the clerk OF the enrollil
ne division and reached the White Hou
Ie' a few minutes before 8 o'clock. t
to White House was almost deserted
- the time, not one of the cabinet bel
with the president except Attorn
es General Griggs. The enrolled copy
he the bill was laid before the preside
"a and he at once went over the phra
;s ology with the attorney general 1
4, presidential signature was affixed
"a. | e:15 and the measure was then the Ii
: of the land