Warren sheaf., 1898-12-08
CONGRESS ASKED TO ACT.
Whole Question Submitted to LeGis-
I. lators on April II. -

te 1atOrs on April IL. ---
Grieved and disappointed at this barren
outcome of my sincere endeavOrs to reach
a practical solution, I felt it my duty to re
nit the whole question to the congress.
In the message of April II, 1898, announced
that with this last overture in the direc-
tion of immediate peace in Cuba, and its
disappointing reception by Spain, the eff
fort of the executive was brought to an
end. I again reviewed the alternative
course of action which I had proposed,
concluding that the only one consonant
with international policy and compatible
with our firm-set historical traditions was
intervention as a neutral to stop the war
and check the hopeless sacrifice ,sof life,
even. though that resort involved hostile
constraint upon both the parties to the
ude ihs sG sefGefe
In view of all this, the congress was
asked to authorize and empower the pres
t ANA Of Ii
and the people of Cuba, and to secure to the
island the esta tablishment of a stable govern,
ment capable of maintaining order and
observing it's International obligations, in
suring peace and tranquility, and the Sc
curity of it's citizens as we'll as our own,
to use the military and naval forces of the
United States as might be necessary, with
added authority to continue generous re-
lief to the starving people Of Cuba.
F Action of Congress Approved.
q
days of earnest deliberation, during which
the almost unanimous sentiment of your
body was developed on every point save
posed action with a formal recognition Of
the republic of Cuba as the true and lawful
government, of that island-a proposition
after conference, on the 10th of April, by
a vote of AZ to IS in the senate and 81 to 6
in the house of representatives, passed the
memorable joint resolution, declaring:
'First. That the people of the island of
Cuba are, and of right ought to be, free
and independent. H. ..ME
States to demand and the government of
the United States does hereby demand the
government Of Spain at once relinquish its
authority and government in the island of
Cuba and withdraw it's land and naval
forces from Cuba and Cuban waters. . -
'Third. That the president of the United
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 carry these
resolutions into effect. ,a S.&I
Fourth. That, the United States hereby
disclaims any disposition or intention to
exercise sovereignty, jurisdiction or control
over said island except for the pacification
thereof, and asserts its determinati ton when
that is accomplished to leave the govern
ment and control of the island to its peo-
ple." I'll
Diplomatic Relations Ended.
q This resolution was approved by the ex-
ecutlVe on the next day, April 20. A copy
was at once communicated to the Spanish
minister at this capital, who forthwith an
nounced that his continuance in Washing
ton 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 French ambassador and the Austro-
Hungarian minister. simultaneously with
it's communication to the Spanish minister
Gen. Woodford, the American minister at
Madrid, was telegraphed confirmation of
the text of the joint resolution and directed
to communicate it to the government OF
Spain with the formal demand that it at
once relinQuish it's authority and govern
ment in the island of Cuba and Withdraw
it's forces therefrom, coupling this demand
with announcements of the intentions Of
this government as to the future of the is
land, in conformity with the fourth clause
Of the resolution, and giving Spain until
noon of April % to reply. -
The demand, although, as above shown,
officially made known to the Spanish envoy
here, was not delivered at Madrid After
the instruction reached Gen. Woodford on
present it, the Spanish minister of state
notified him that upon the presidents ap-
proval Of the joint resolution the Madrid
government, regarding the act as "equiva-
lent to an evident declaration Of war" had
ordered it's minister in Washington to with
draw, thereby breaking off diplomatic re-
lations between the two countries and ceas-
ing all official communication between
their respective representatives. Gen.
WOOdfOrd therupOn demanded his pass
ports and quilted Madrid the same day.