New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-07-09

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AS soon as the intelligence was flashed over the
, land that the battle-shp Maine had been do
stroyed by an explosion In the harbor Of Ha-
vana, nearly everyt ody 'elt that war was I'm
rnjncnt II not inevitable. and Congress realized
that steps to prepare for it must not be longer
! deferred. although a majority Of that body
shared the hope OF the Administration that
actual hostilities would be averted. The Maine
] Court Of Inquiry. which begun It's work on Feb
: ruary 81. used due diligence. and It's report
was submitted to Congress on March ~. con-
hrming the almost universal belief Of the Amer-
can people that the destruction Of the battle
ship and the lives OF two hundred and sixty Of
fcers ard men were the results Of Spanish or
fetal treachery.
Three weeks prior to that. however, bill had
/ been brought into the House Of Representa-
! tives, with a unanimous report from the Com
mittee on Appropriations. which contained an
! item appropriating the sum OF Sp,o~Wn 10
be expended at the discretion OF the PRESIDENT
for purposes Of National defence. This bill was
passed by the House March T. and passed
I by the Senate and approved by the President
March 9. nearly seven weeks before the
actual declaration of war.
A CHRONOLOGICAL SUMMARY.
A succinct chronological summary Of the war
/ legislation Of the session. including also some
acts which were merely incidental or precau-
tionary. will he found interesting. 1t properly
begins with the one dated February o. eight
days after the destruction OF the battlc-ship
Maine.
! First-A Joint resolution appropriatng the
sum OF 100000 for the purpose Of recovering
the remains Of the officers and men lost on the
United States battle ship Maine, and Of saving
4 avI
! her stores. guns. material equipment. fittings
! and appurtenances as may be practicable. APP
proved February %.
! Second-An act to authorize additional regi-
ments Of artillery. approved March g. This
matter had been before Congress for some time.
! hut favorable action was certain and FASTENED
by the general belief that an emergency was
! speedily 10 arise which would require an in
! crease Of the Regular Army.
! Third-An act making appropriations ito sup
ply urgent deficiencies. and for other purposes.
approved March g. This act contained an item
! Of $50 coo 600 for the National defence. TO he
expended at the discretion OF the President
Fourth--An act Cor the relief Of the sufferers
by the destruction Of the hattle-ship Maine
Approved March 3.
Fifth-Joint resolution for the admission or
free duty until January !, 1899. Of naval and
military supplies procured abroad. Approved
April l.
Sixth-Joint resolution authorizing the erection
Of temporary forts or Notifications with the
written consent OF owners Of lands upon which
works are TO be placed. Approved April ii.
Seventh--Joint resolution for the recognition
Of the independence OF the PEOPLE Of Cuba. de-
manding that the Government OF Spain relin-
qush its authority and government in the
I island OF Cuba, and 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 resolutions into effect.
Approved April 20.
Eishth-An act to provide for a temporary
increase Of the military establishment OF the
United States in time Of war. Approved April
% This act authorized the raising Of a volun-
teer army and prescribed the manner in which
II shall be organized.
Ninth-A joint resolution authorizing the
President in his discretion to prohibit the export
of coal or other material used in war from any
seaport Of the United States. Approved April %.
DECLARATION OF WAR.
Tenth-An act declaring that war between
the United States and Spain exists and has ex.
listed since April q. 1898. and empowering and
directing the President ito use the entire land
call into the actual service of the United States
the militia Of the several States TO such extent
as may be necessary to carry this act into ef
feet" Approved April %
Eleventh-A joint resolution authorizing the
printing Of extra copies Of the military publ
cations of the War Department may be
necessary for the instruction Of the National
Guard of the various States. Approved
April %.
Twelfth--An act for the better organization OF
the line Of the Army Of the United States APP
proved April % This act provided for a con-
siderable increase Of the Regular army.
Thirteenth-An act making appropriations for
the naval service for the fiscal year ending
June 30. $780, and for other purposes. APP
proved May a.
Although this act was passed and approved
only nine days after war was declared, it
ried number Of appropriations and contained
some important provisions which would have
been reduced and modified. or omitted altogether.
II the country had remained in a state of peace.
Among other provisions It authorized the build
ing Of three coastline battle-ships. four harbor
defence vessels Of the monitor type. sixteen tor
pedo- boat destroyers and twelve torpedo boats.
at a total cost exclusive Of armament Of 500.
100000 The aggregate amount carried by the
act is $50, O9S. 1888.
Fourteenth--An act making appropriations to
supply deficiencies. Approved May 4. This act
carries heavy appropriations. not only for the
remainder OF the fiscal year ending June 30.
1895 but also for the first six months OF the
year ending June 30. 1899 Among these are
appropriations for pay. subsistence. clothing.
medical and hospital supplies. transportation.
etc. of the Volunteer Army.
Fifteenth-An act making appropriations for
forty Notifications and armament thereof and
for other purposes. Approved May :. The APP
preparations by this act were greatly increased
on account of the war, the total carried by the
act for the fiscal year. ending June 80. 1873
amounting to S9144.912, about So,000OOO OF