The Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Or.) 1862-1899, 1898-12-09

termination of hosti1ities between Spain
and the people of Cuba and to secure to
the island the establishment of a stable
government, capable of maintaining or
der and observing it's international obn-
cations. in securing peace and tranquil
lity and the security of its citizens as
we'll as our own, and for the accomplish
ment of those ends to use the military and
naval forces of the United States as
might be necessary, with added authority
to continue generous relief to the starv-
ing people of Cuba.
The response of congress, after nine Gays
of earnest deliberation, during which the
almost unanimous sentiment of your body
was developed on every point, save as 10
the expediency of coupling the proposed
action with a formal recognition of the
republic of Cuba as the true and lawful
government of that island-a proposition
which failed of adoption-the congress-
after a conference on the 18th of April. by
a vote of AZ to "a in the senate and 311 to
in the house, passed the memorable joint
resolution declaringi
..First-That the people of the island of
Cuba are, and by right ought to be, free
and independent.
..Second-Thatitis 1t is the duty of the Unite1
States and the government of the United
States hereby demands that the govern
ment of Spain at once relinquish its au-
thority in the island of Cuba and with
draw its land and naval forces from Cuba
and Cuban waters.
'.Third-That the president of the United
States be and is hereby directed and en-
powered to the entire land and naval
forces of the United States and the militia
of the several states to such extent as
may be necessary to carry these resolu-
tions into effect.
f'Fourth-That the United States hereby
disclaims any disposition or intention TO
exercise sovereignty, jurisdiction or con-
troll over said island, except for the pacih-
cation thereof and asserts its determine
ton, when that Is accomplished, to leave
the government and control of the island
to its people,"
Rupture of Negotiations.
This resolution was approved by the ex-
ecutive on the next day, April 2O. A
copy was at once communicated to the
Spanish minister at this capital, who
forthwith announced that his continuance
in Washington had thereby become impos-
sible, and asked for his passports, which
were given him. He thereupon Withdrew
from Washington, leaving the protection
of Spanish interests in the United States
to the French ambassador and the Aus
tro-Hungarian minister.
simultaneously with its communication
to the Spanish minister, General Wood
ford, the American minister at Madrid,
was lSIeSTdpHeu continuation VI liC
text of the joint resolution and directed
to communicate 1t to the government of
Spain with the formal demand that i at
once reiinquish it's authority and govern
ment in the island of Cuba, and withdraw
its forces therefrom, coupling this demand
with announcements of the Intentions OF
this government as to the future OF the
island, in conformity with the fourth
clause of the resolution, and giving Spain
until noon of April q to reply.
Spain, having thus denied the demand of
the United States, and initiated that COM
plete form of rupture of relations which
attends a state of war the executive pow
ers authorized by the resolution were used
by me to meet the enlarged contingency of
actual war between Spain and the United
States.
On April % I proclaimed blockade of
the northern coast of Cuba, including
ports on said coast between Cardenas and
Bahia Honda and the port of .Cienfuegos.
on the south coast of Cuba; and on the 23d
I called for volunteers to execute the pur-
pose of the resolution.
The Declaration of War.
By my message of April Is, congress vas
informed of the situation, and I recon-
mended formal declaration of the exist
enee OF a state of war between the UEited
States and Sna{EMsCongrsss accordingly.
voted on s.he same day the act apr oved
April q, 1925, declaring the existence of
such war from and including the, ,21st day
Of April, and re-enacted the provision of
the resolution of April 90 directing the
president to use all the armed forces Of the
nation to carry that act into effect.
Due notification Of the existence of war
as aforesaid was given April 25 by tele-
graph to all the governments with which
the United States maintained relations, in
order that their neutrality might be as
sured during the war. The various govern
I~I 441o ff1r,- Hf
neutrality each after it's own method. 1t
is not among the least gratifying incidents
of the struggle that the obligations of
neutrality were impartially discharged by
all. often under delicate and difficult cir
cumstances.
In further fulfllment of international
duty, issued, April 26, a proclamation an
nouncing the treatment proposed to be ac-
corded to vessels and their cargoes as to
blockade, contraband the exercise of the
right of subjects and the immunity of neu-
trail flags and neutral goods under the
enemy's flag. A similar proclamation was
made by the Spanish government. In the
conduct of hostilities, the rules of the
declaration of Paris. including abstention
from resort to privateering, have accord
ingly been observed by both be1ligerents,
although neither was party to that dec
laration.
The national defense fund of $4,000, 600
was expended in large part by the
army and the navy, and the objects for
which it was used are fully shown in the
reports of the several secretaries. 1t was
a most timely appropriation, enabling the
government to strengthen its defenses and
to make preparations greatly needed in
case of war. This fund being inadequate
to the requirements of equipment and for
the conduct of the war, the patriotism of
congress provided the means in the war
revenue act of June Is by authorizing
per cent popular loan, not to exceed
$500, COO, coo, and by levying additional inn
posts and taxes, OF the authorized loan,
5000, 1000 was offered and promptly taken,
the subscriptions SO far exceeding the
call as to cover it many times over.
While preference was given to the small
er bids, no single allotment exceeded
$4,000. This was a most encouraging and
significant result, showing the vast re-
sources of the nation and the determina-
ton Of the people to uphold their coun-
trys honor.