Iowa state bystander. [volume] (Des Moines, Iowa) 1894-1916, 1898-04-29
THE PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.
Mckinley Recommends . Declaration Of
War Against Spain.


War Against Spain.
Washington, April 26-The presi-
dent this morning sent congress the
following message recommending q
declaration Of war against Spain:
''To the senate and house of repre-
sentatives Of the United States OF
America: -a.
II transmit to congress for it's con-
sideration and appropriate action cop
les Of correspondence 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 approved April 20,
1898, for the recognition Of the indie
pendence of the people of Cuba. de-
handing that the government of Spain
relinquish its authority and govern
ment in tho island of Cuba and to
withdraw it's land and naval forces
from Cuba and Cuban waters, and d.
recting the president of the United
States to carry these resolutions into
effect
upon communicating with the
Spanish minister in Washington the
demand which it became the duty Of
the executive to address to the govern
ment of Spain, in obedience to said
resolution, the said 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 diploma
tic relations between the two countries,
and that all official communications be-
tween their respective representatives
ceased Herewith.
IT recommend to your especial atten-
ton the note addressed to the Unit
ed 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 govern
ment of Spain, having cogniZance Of
the joint resolution Of the United
States congress, and in view OF things
which the president is thereby re-
quired and authorized to do, responds
by treating the representative de
mands of this government as measures
of hostility, following with that in
slant and complete severance OF rcla-
lions by its action whereby the usage
of nations accompanies an existent
state Of war between sovereign powers.
1.-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, I have been constrained,
in exercise of the power and authority
conferred upon me by the joint reso-
luton aforesaid, to proclaim, under
date of April 20, 1898; a blockade OF
certain ports of the north coast Of Cuba
living between Carde2as ana Bahia
Honda, and of the port Of Cicnfuegas
on the south coast Of Cuba; and furth-
er, in exercise of my constitutional
| powers, and using the authority con-
ferred upon me by the act of congress
approved April %, 1898, to issue my
| proclamation dated Arv!! %, 1893, call
ing for volunteers in order TO carry in
to effect the said resolutions OF April
20. 1898. Copies OF these proclama-
tons are hereto appended.
I'm view Of the measures so taken,
and with q view to the adoption OF
| such other measures as may be ncces-
| sary to enable me to carry cut the en-
pressed will of the congress OF the
| United States in the premises. no"
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 ] urge speedy
action thereon. to the end that the
definition of the international status
of the United States AS beillgercnt
power may be made known. and the as
sertion of all it's rights and the main,
tenance of all its duties IN the conduc1
of a public war may be assured.
"WILLIAM M'K1NLEY.
Executive Mansion. Washington
April Is, 1885,"