The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-12-06
RICHMOND a.. DECEMBER 6. 1893.

as TO the expediency OF coupling the pro-
posed action with a formal recognition
OF the Republic. OF Cuba as the true as
lawful government OF that lsland-a pro-
position which failed OF adoption-the
Congress after conference on the 10Th OF
Of April. by vote OF ~ to IS In the
Senate and 81 to in the House of Rep
resentatiyes. passed the memorable joint
resolution, declaring:
CUBA LIBRE.
"First. That the people Of the island of
Cuba are, and Of right ought to be, free
and independent.
Second That IL is the duty OF the
United States TO demand. and the Govern
ment of the United States does hereby
demand. that the government of Spain at
once relinquish its authority and govern
ment in the island of Cuba and withdraw
its land and naval forces from Cuba and
Cuban waters.
Third. That the President of the United
States be, and he hereby Is. directed and
empowered TO use the entire land and
naval forces of the United States and to
call into the actual service of the United
States the militia OF the several States
to such extent as may be necessary to
rarry these resolutions into effect.
Fourth That the United States hereby
disclaims any disposition or intention TO
exercise sovereignty, jurisdiction, or con-
troll over said island, except for the pa
cihcation thereof, and asserts it's deter
minaton when that Is accomplished to
leave the government and control of the
island to its people
RELATIONS BROKEN.
The resolution was approved by The
Executive on the next day. April 10Th.
copy was at once communicated 10 :he
Spanish minister at this capital. who
forthwith announced that his continu-
ance in Washington had thereby become
Impossible, and asked for his passports,
which were given him He (thereupon
Withdrew from Washington. leaving the
protection Of Spanish interests in the
United States TO the France ambassador
and the Austro-Hungarian minister.
THE UDTIMATUM.
simultaneously with It's communication
to the Spanish Minister here. General
Woodford. the American Minister at Mad
rid was telegraphed confirmation Of the
text Of the joint resolution and directed
TO communicate IL TO the government of
Spain with the formal demand that 1t at
once relinquish its authority and govern
draw its forces therefrom. coupling this
demand with announcement OF the inten-
tons Of this government as to the future
Of the island in conformity with. the
fourth clause OF the resolution and Civ
ing Spain until noon Of April 23d to reply.
That demand although. as above shown
officially made known to the Spanish en-
vOy here. was not delivered at Madrid
After the instruction reached General
WoOGfOrd on the morning Of April 2lst.
but before he could present II. the Span
ish minister OF state notified him that
upon the Presidents approval OF the joint
resolution. the Madrid government. re,
gardinE the act as equivalent To a evil
dent declaration of war" had ordered its
minister i'm Washington to withdraw
thereby breaking off diplomatic relations
between The two countries and ceasine
all official communication between their
respective representatives.
GENERAL WOODFORD LEAVES.
General WoodforG thereupon demanded
his passports and quilted Madrid the
same day.
Spain having thus denied the demand
of the United States and initiated that
complete form of rupture OF relations
which cttenls q state Of war, the exc
cutive powers authorized by the resolu-
ton were al once used by ne TO meet the
enlarged contingency Of actual war be
tween sovereign States. on April I'D. /
proclaimed blockade OF the north 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 23l ! called for vol
unteers to execute the purpose OF the re-
solution.