The record-union., 1898-04-25
Spain Has Made a Formal Reply to
Cur Ultimatum.
The Document is a Formal AChnoNI edge
Inent Of Its Acceptance by that
Country as a Virtual Decla-
ration Of War.

WASHINGTON, April IA reSOlu-
tion formally declaring war against
Spain Will be introduced in the Con-
gress of the United States tomorrow.
The decision to do so has been reached
after mature deliberatiOn. All the ar
guments pro and con were discussed
this afternoon at the White House at
conference in which President Me-
Kinley, Acknowledgement Griggs. As
sistant Secretary Day and Senators
Davis and Hale participated, and on it's
breaking up announcement was made
that Congress tomorrow would be
asked to declare what it is held already
exists. This was the most important
Washington development on the first
war Sunday.
The President viii send a message to
Congress tomorrow, to be delivered
immediately after its convening, set
ting forth the facts in the case and
asking Congress to formally declare
war, in order that there may be no mis-
understanding on the part of other ma
tlons. The most important point in
the message from news point of view
Will be the announcement that Spain
has made a formal reply to our ulti-
matum.
This reply has not been given to the
public, and it was supposed that none
had been received. The document is a
formal acknowledgment by Spain and
an acceptance by that country Of the
ultimatum as virtual declaration of
war. Congress will therefore be asked
to recognize this condition of affairs
and to declare it to the world. using
Spain's concession as a reason for it.
The war resolution has been pre-
pared, and it is understood that the
two committees having charge of the
foreign affairs of the two Houses of
Congress will be prepared to report on
it very shortly-probably immediately
after the reading of the message. An
effort will then be made to have the
resolution taken up and passed forth
with, and it is not now believed that
there will be any formidable opposition
to this course in either House Other
wise the news of the day here related
almost entirely to plans hitherto ex-
pected.
For the President and his Cabinet
officials Sunday passed quietly and un-
eventually. Secretary Alger took his
daughter to the White House during
this morning, and the latter, in COM
pany with the President, attended di-
vine services at the Metropolitan Meth
odist Church, Secretary Alger going to
Presbyterian church. Secretary and
Mrs. Gage also drove to the White
House and ccompaned the President
and Miss Alger to the METROPOLITAN
Church. Mrs. Mckinley has not vet
re nd +,,;D
city.
General Corbin and Secretary Alger
conferred during the afternoon respect
ing the arrangements for calling on the
Governors of the States and Territories
for the quota of troops they are TO fur
nish under the Presidents proclamation
asking for 125,000 men. The number
of men in each branch of the service
viz, infantry, cavalry and artillery. re-
mains to be settled, besides many other
matters of detail
In the State, War and Navy Depart
ments many of the officials were at
their desks directing the execution of
policies heretofore determined upon.
Neither Secretary Alger nor Secretary
Long We're on hand. but Assistant Sec
retary Meiklejonh and Assistant Secre-
tary Roosevelt were on duty for sew
eral hours. Mr.. Meiklejohn has al
ready received a large number of an
plications from newspapers to permit
their representatives to accompany the
army but, as stated in the circular is
sued yesterday, the number to be ac-
corded the privilege will be limited.
Assistant Secretary Day is busiIy en-
gagged in making the general prepara-
tion for the transportation of troops
overland and also to Cuba for which a
large number of vessels will be char
tered In the Quartermaster's office
nearly the whole clerical force was on
hand
The details are far from complete
but the Quartermaster General believes
everything will be in readiness by the
time the troops are ready to move It
may be that railroad arrangements for
the transfer of troops overland will be
left to the immediate charge of the
quartermasters of the various army de-
partments who are fully acquainted
with the facilities at hand for doing this
work Some understanding with the
railroads on the basis of uniform rates
of travel will be arranged if possible
so that the soldiers may be sent by the
shortest possible route with the least
charge to the Government. Questions Of
equipment of the troops with uniforms
and tents also are to be settled al
though many of the State organizations
are prepared in this respect. The de-
partment has a number of branches in
which tents, uniforms etc. are manu-
faetured, but it will be compelled to call