The Bourbon news. [volume] (Paris, Ky.) 1895-19??, 1898-12-06


Tended. Our navy needed large provision for
increased ammunition and supplies, and even
numbers to cope with any sudden attack from
the navy of Spain, which comprised modern
vessels of the highest type of constructiontal
perfection. Our army also required enlarge
ment of men and munitions. 1t is sufficient to
say that the outbreak of war, when 1T did
come, found our nation not unprepared to
meet the conflict.
Nor was the apprehension of coming strife
confined to our own country. 1t was felt by
the continental powers, which, on April 6,
through their ambassadors and ENJOYS ad-
dressed to the executive an expression of hope
that humanity and moderation might mark
the course of this government and people. and
that further negotiations would lead to an
agreement which, while securing the main
tenance of peace, would afford all necessary
guarantees for the re-establishment of
order in Cuba. In responding TO that
representation, 1 said 1 shared the
hope the ENJOYS had expressed that
peace might be preserved in manner to ter
inmate the chronic condition of disturbances
in Cuba so injurious and menacing to our in
tereSts and tranquility, as well as shocking to
our sentiments Of humanity.
NEGOTIATIONS WITH SPAIN.
Still animated by the hope of peaceful So
luton and obeying the dictates of duty no eff
fort was relaxed to bring about n speedy end
ing of the Cuban struggle Negotiations to
this object continued actively with the gov
eminent of Spain. looking to the immediate
conclusion of a six months armistice in Cuba
with a view to effect the recognition
of her peoples right TO lndepend-
ence, Besides this, the instant
revocation of the order of recOncentra-
tion was asked so that the sufferers. return
ing to their homes and aided by United Amer
lean and Spanish effort might be put in way
to support themselves. and. by orderly re-
sumption of the we'll nigh destroyed produc-
tive energies of the island, contribute to the
restoration of its tranquility and well-being.
Negotiations continued for some little time at
Madrid, resulting in offers by the Spanish
government which could not but be regarded
as inadequate.
Grieved and disappointed at this barren out
come Of my sincere endeavorS to reach prac
ticable solution felt it my duty to remit the
whole question to congress and did so in my
message of April II, 1898.
In view OF all this the congress was asked to
authorize and empower the president to take
measures to secure full and final termination
of hOstilitieS between Spain and the PEOPLE of
Cuba and to secure in the island the establish
ment Of a stable government, capable ofmain-
tanning order and observing its international
obligations, insuring peace and tranquility,
and the security of its citizens well our
own, and for the accomplishment of those ends
to the military and naval forces of the United
States as might be necessary, with added au
thOrity to continue generous relief to the starry
ing people of Cuba.
The response of the congress. after nine days
of earnest deliberation. during which the al
most unanimous sentiment Of your body was
developed on every point save as to the eXpedi-
ency 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 conference on
the 10Th of April. by vote Of II to 30 in the
senate and 81 to 6 in the house of representa-
tiVes, passed the memorable joint resolution
declaring that the people Of Cuba are. and Of
right ought TO be. free and Independent. and di-
recting the president to use the entire land
and naval forces of the United States if neceS-
sary TO carry the resolution into effect
SPANISH MINISTER LEAVES WASHINGTON.
This resolution was approved by the execu-
tive on the next day, April 20. \ copy was at
once communicated to the Spanish minister at
this capital who forthwith asked for his pass
ports and withdrew from Washington. leaving
the Spanish interests in the hands of the French
ambassador and the AuStro- Hungarian minis
ter simultaneously with its communication TO
the SPANS minister, Gen. Wocdford the Amer
lean minister at Madrid. was tclegraphed con-
firmation of the text of the joint resolution
ment OF Spain with the formal demand that it
at once relinguiSh its authority and govern
ment in the island of Cuba and wi thdraw it's
forces therefrOm. coupling this demand with
announcements of the intentions of this gov
eminent to the future Of the island. in con-
fOrmity with the fourth clause of the resolu-
ton. and giving Spain until noon of April % 10
reply.
That demand. although. as above officially
shown, officially made known to the Spanish
envoy here. was not delivered at Madrid. After
| the instruction reached Gen. WoOdford on the
morning of April 81 but before he could pre-
sent l.. the Spanish minister Of state notified
him that upon Il presidents approval of the
joint resolution the Madrid government. re-
garding the act as equivalent to an evident
declaration OF Ear" had ordered its minister
in Washington to withdraw, thereby breaking
off diplomatic relations between the two coun-
tries and ce ising all official communication re
tween their respective representatives. Gen.
/ WOodford thereupOn demanded his passports
and quilted Madrid the same day.
RELATIONS RUPTURED AND WAR DECLARED
Spain having thus denied the demand Of the
United States and initiated that complete
! form of rupture of relations which attends Il
state of war, the executive powers authorized
by the resolution were at once used by
me to meet the enlarged contin-
! gency OF actual war between Sover-
| eign states. On April %, 1 proclaim
| ed blockade of the north coast of Cuba. in
Guiding ports on said coast between Cardenas
and Bahia Honda and the port of CienfuegoS
on the south coast of Cuba; and on the I'D l
| called for volunteers to execute the purpose OF
| the resolution. By my message of April =.
| the congress was informed of the situation
and recommended formal declaration of the
| existence of d state OF war between the United
| States and Spain. The congress accordingly
voted on the same day the act approved April
| % 1893 declaring the existence of such Wal
| from and including the 2lst day of April, and
/ re-enacted the provision of the resolution of
/ April 20, 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 telegraph to
all the governments with which the United
! States maintain relations, in order that theil
neutrality might be assured during the war
/ The various governments responded with proc
lamations Of neutrality. each after its own
methods. 1t is not among the least gratifying
! incidents of the struggle that the obligations
q: neutrality were impartially discharged by
all, often under delicate and difficult circum-
/ stances.
In further fulfllment of international duty
/ l issued. April Il procla nation announcing