The Yakima herald. [volume] (North Yakima, W.T. [Wash.]) 1889-1914, 1898-12-08

Negotiations to this effect continued
actively with the government OF Spain
looking to the immediate conclusion of a
six months armistice In Cuba with a
view to effect the recognition of her peo-
pies right to independence. Besides this.
the instant revocation of the order OF re-
concentration was asked, so that the suf-
ferers. returning to their homes and
aided by united American and Spanish
effort, might be put In way to support
themselves. and by orderly resumption of
the well-nigh destroyed productive ener-
gies of the island contribute to the res
toration of its tranquility and well-being.
Authority to Intervene.
Grieved and disappointed Mt this barren
outcome of my sincere endeavors to reach
a practicable solution. felt 1t my duty to
remit the whole question to congress. In
the message of April IL. 1898. l announced
that with this last overture In the direc-
ton of immediate peace In Cuba and its
disappointing reception by Spain the eff
fort of the executive was brought to an
end. 1 again reviewed the alternative
course of action which I had prepared.
concluding that the only course consonant
with International policy and compatible
with our firmly set historical traditions
was Intervention as a neutral to stop the
war and check the hopeless sacrifice of
life, even though that resort involved
the contest. as well to enforce a truce as
to provide for eventual settlement"
On April % I proclaimed a 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
/ called for volunteers to execute the pur-
pose of the resolution.
The Declaration of War.
By my message of April %, congress was
informed OF the situation. and l recon-
mended formal declaration of the exist
ence of a state of war between the United
States and Spain. Congress accordingly
voted on the same day the act approved
April q, 1898, declaring the existence of
such war 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 Is 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
ments responded with proclamations of
neutrality, each after its own method. 1t
Is not among the least gratifying incidents
of the struggle that the obligations of
HeulEdllty were lHlpdTtidiiS uiSChdIStd ny
all. often under delicate and difficult cir
cumstances.
The national defense fund of $J0,0C0,000
was expended in large part by the
army and the navy, and the objects for
which 1t 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 Il by authorizing
3 per cent popular loan. not to exceed
$780, co., coo. and by levying additional I'M
posts and taxes. OF the authorized loan.
500. 0OO, 600 was offered and promptly taken.
the subscriptions SO far exceeding the
call as to cover 1t many times over.
While preference was given to the small
err bids, no single allotment exceeded
5000. This was most encouraging and
significant result. showing the vast re-
sources of the nation and the determine
ton of the people to uphold their coun-
try's honor.