Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-04-25
WAR OFFICIALLY
The President Sends a
Message to Congress-
A FORMAL DECLARATION
He Thinks That Such Should Be
Made at Once.
EFFECT ON NEUTRAL POWERS
Our Contention With Spain Will
Be Made Plain.
EFFECT ON NEUTRAL POWERS
TEXT OF THE DOCUMENT

The President sent to Congress a
message recommending a declara-
ton of war against Spain. 1t was
referred to appropriate committees
in both houses.
The Senate military affairs COM
mittee decided to favorably report
the army reorganization bill just
passed by the House.
A war room" has been establish
ed at the White House, where the
telegraphers will be located and
where maps of Cuba and the West
Indies will be hung.
The House Of Representatives
took one Minute. forty-one seconds
to pass declaration OF war against
Spain. No one opposed it.
The District National Guard went
into camp and then the order for
such movement was revoked and the
troops marched back to their armorv.
Secretary OF State Sherman tender
ed his resignation to the President,
and Judge Day will succeed him.
The Senate passed the naval bill
and took up the army reorganization
bill.
message to Congress:
To the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America:
i transmit TO the Congress for it's consid-
GRAFTON and appropriate action copies of
correspondence recently had with the rep
resentative of Spain in the United States,
with the United States minister at Madrid,
and through the latter with the govern
ment of Spain, showing the action taken
under the joint resolution approved April
\ 20. 1S9s. for the recognition of the indie
}pendence of the people of Cuba, demanding
7 that the government of Spain relinquish
its authority and government in the Island
Of Cuba and to withdraw its land and
naval forces from Cuba and Cuban waters.
and directing the President of the United
States to use the land and naval forces of
the United States TO carry these resolu-
lions into effect"
Upon communicating to the Spanish min
lister in Washington the demand which 1t
became the duty of the executive to adj
dress TO the government of Spain. In obe-
4 lleuc,. IN said resolution Tho .-,.
Ned 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 diplomatic relations
between the two countries and tina. ALL Off
cal communications between their respect
i've representatives ceased Herewith
L commend TO your especial attention The
note addressed TO the United States minis
ter at Madrid by the Spanish minister for
foreign affairs on the 2lst instant, whereby
the foregoing notification was conveyed I,
will be perceived therefrom that the gov
ernment Of Spain, having cognizance of the
joint resolution of the United States Com
gress, and in view of the things which the
President was thereby required and au
thorized to do, responds by treating the
reasonable demands Of this government as
measures of hostility, following with that
instant and complete severance of relations
BY Its acton which by the usage of natfo,s
accompanies an existent state of war ba-
tween sovereign powers
The position of Spain being thus made
Known and the demands of tn. United
States beng denied with a complete rur-
ture Of intercourse by the act of Spain |
have been constrained in exercise of the
power and authority conferred upon me
by the joint resolution aforesaid to pro-
claim, under date OF April 90. 1895, a block
AIDE of certain ports of the north coast of
Cuba lying between Cardenas and Bahia
Honda and Of the port of Cienfuegos OF
the south coast of Cuba; and, further IL
exercise OF my constitutional powers and
using the authority conferred upon me by
the act of Congress approved April %