The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1898-12-06
CONGRESS TAKES ACTION.

CONGRESS TAKES ACTION.
In view Of all this, the congress was
asked to authorize and empower the
president to take measures to secure a
full and final termination of hostilities
between Spain and the people of cuba.
aud to secure in the island the estab-
lshment of a stable government. can
able OF maintaining order and observ-
ing its international obligations. insur-
ing peace and tranquility, and the Sc
CURLY of its citizens as well as our
own, and for the accomplishment of
those ends TO use the military and ma
val forces of the United States as
might be necessary, with added author
ity to continue generous relief to the
starving people Of cuba.
The response of the congress. after
nine days of earnest delibera-
ton, during which the almost uuani-
nous sentiment of your body was. de-
Veloped on every point, save TO to the
exEediency OF coupling the proposed ac-
ton with formal recognition Of the
republic Of Cuba as the true and law
tul government Of that island-a prop
osition which failed Of adoptfon-the
congress, after conference on the 18th
of April, by a vote Of ~ TO 80 in the
Representatives passed the memorable
Joint resolution declaring:
First-That the people of the island
OF Cuba are, and of right, ought to be
free and independent. aHl
Second--That it is the duty of thu
United States to demand, and the gov.
eminent of the United States does here.
by demand, that the government OF
spain at once relnquish its authority
and government in the island of Cube
and withdraw its land and naval forces
from Cuba and Cuban waters.
Third-That the president Of The
United States be and he is hereby di.
rected and empowered to use the entire
land and naval forces of the United
States, and TO call into actual service
of the United States, the militia of the
several states, TO such an extent a.
may be necessary to carry these reso.
lutions into effect
Fourth-That the United States here.
by dlsclains any disposition or inten
ton to exercise sovereignty, iurisdic
ton or control over said island. excep
for the pacitication thereof, and asserts
It's determination, when that is accom-
plished, to leave the government anC
control of the island to it's people
This resolution was approved by tn,
executive on the next day, April 20
A copy was at once communicated I,
the Spanish minister at this capitol
who forthwith announced that his con
tinuance in Washington thereby be
came impossible, and asked for hi
passports, which were given him. Fl
thereupon Withdrew from Washington
leaving the protection of Spanish inter
ests in the United States TO the Frencl
ambassador and the Austro- Hungarian
minister simultaneously with thi
communication to the Spanish minis
ter here, General Woodford, the Aneri
can minister at Madrid, was telegraph
ed confirmation of the text Of the Join
resolution, and directed TO communi
cate it to the government of SPAIN witt
the formal demand that it at once re
linouish its authority and governmen
in the island Of Cuba and Withdraw it
forces therefrom, coupling this demand
with the announcement of the intention
of this government as to the future 0
the island, in conformity with tn
fourth clause Of the resolution, and civ
ing Spain until noon on April 20 to re
ply.
That demand, although, as abov
shown, officially made known to tn
Spanish envoy here, was not delivere
at Madrid.
After the instruction reached Ger
Woodford on the morning of April q
but before he could present it. tn
Spanish minister of state notified hin
that upon the presidents approval o
the joint resolution the Madrid govern
ment,. regarding the act as "equivalen
TO an evident declaration Of war ha
ordered its minister in Washington L
withdraw thereby breaking off diplo
lnatic relations between the two coun
tries and ceasing all official communi
cation between their respective repre-
sentatives. Gen. Woodford thereupo
demanded his passport and quite
q d1.id thn Q q mo llan.