The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1898-04-29

LDb0J oC"( ~ IIl5 IIIcSSdIt -
congress-:
To the Senate and House Of Represen-
tatives OF the United States Of Amer
lea.
/ transmit ITO the congress for it's
consideration and appropriate action
copies OF correspondence recently had
with representatives 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 esolution approved April Goth,
1898, For the Recognition OF the In
dependence of the People of Cuba, de-
Gnanding that the Government of Spain
Relinquish it's Authority and govern
ment in the Island of Cuba and to
Withdraw it's Land and Naval Forces
from Cuba and Cuban Waters, and Di-
recting the president of the United
States to use the Land and Naval
Forces of the United States to Garry
these Resolutions into Effect"
Upon communicating to the Spanish
minister in Washington the demand
which it became the duty of the execu-
tive to address to the government of
Spain, in obedience to said resolution,
the minister asked for his passports
and Withdrew. The United States min
lister at Madrid was III turn notified by
the Spanish minister for foreign affairs
that the withdrawal of the Spanish
representative from the United States
had terminated diplomatic
cations between the two countries and
that all official communications ce-
tween their respective representatives
ceased thereWith.
I commend to your especial atten-
tiOn the note addressed to the United
States minister at Madrid by the Span
ish minister for foreign affairs on the
21st instant, whereby the foregoing no
LITIGATION was conveyed. It will be per-
ceived therefrOm that the government
of Spain, having cOgnizance of the
joint resolution of the United States
congress-. and in view Of the things
which the president was thereby Ne
puired and authorized to do, Tespon-
sibly treating the reasonable demands
of this government as measure of hos
Utility, following with that, instant and
complete severance of relations be-
cause it's action, which by the usage of
nations accompanies an existent state
of wal between sovereign powers.
The position of Spain being thus
made known and the demands of the
United States bein denied, with a COM
plete rupture of intercourse by the act
of Spain. / have been constrained in
exercise of the power and authority
conferred upon me by the joint reso-
luton aforesaid to proclaim, under
late OF April 22nd. 1898, a of
certain ports of the north coast of
Cuba lying between Cardenas and Ba-
hal Honda and of the port of Glen
f,,arac, on ha cnuh cnaC of HNnlh9. md
further, in exercise of my constitution
al powers and using the authority con-
ferred upon me by the act OF Ongres
approved April %, 1898, to issue my
proclamation, dated April %, 1899 call
ing forth volunteers in order TO carry
into effect the said resolution OF April
20, 1898. Copies of these prOclama-
tions are hereto appended.
In view of the measures so taken, and
tn n view to the adoption of such
other measures as may be necessary.
to enable me to carry out the expressed
will of the congress of the United
States in the premises, l recommend
to your honorable body the adoption of
a joint resolution declaring that a
state of wal exists between the United
States of America and the kingdom Of
Spain, and / urge speedy action there
on to the end that the definition of the
international status of the United
states as a belligerent power may be
known and the assertion of all its
rights and the maintenance of all its
duties in the conduct of a public war
may be assured.
(Signed) WILLIAM Mk1NLEY.
Executive Mansion, Washington,
April 25, 1898.
The presidents message was accom-
panied by ten or fifteen kilograms and
notes that have passed between the
government of Spain and the United
tates mainly through Minister Wood
ford. but partly through Minister Polo.
1t is believed these papers will clearly
establish the position of this govern
ment that Spain has recognized the
existence of a state of war.
In the correspondence accompanying
the presidents message today was the
following:
On April q, 1898, Minister Woodford
telegraphed Secretary Sherman as fol-
lows:
Following is text of my reply to the
official note received this morning at
7,30 o'clock from the Spanish minister
of state:
81 have the honor to acknowledge
the receipt this morning of your note
of this date informing me that the
Spanish minister at Washington has
been ordered to withdraw with all his
legation and without loss of time from
North American territory.
You also inform me that by this
act diplomatic relations between the
two countries are broken off; that Of
fetal communication between their re-
spective representatives cease. l have
accordingly this day telegraphed the
American consul general at Barcelona
to instruct all the consuls of the United
States in Spain to turn their respective
c~onsulates over to the British cOnSulS
and to cave Spain at once. l hav my
self turned this legation over to Her
Britannia majesty's embassy at Mad
rid. That embassy will from this time
have the care of all American interests
in Spain. I now request passports and
safe conduct to the French frontier for
myself and the personnel of this lega-
ton. 1 intend leaving this afternoon
at 4 o'clock for Paris.