Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1898-04-26

sideration and appropriate action,
copies or correspondence recently had
with the representative 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 resolution approved April 20,
1898, for the recognition of the in
dependence of the people Of Cuba, de-
mandlng that the government OF Spain
reilnguish its authority and govern
ment in the island OF Cuba and TO
Withdraw its 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 carry 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
minister in Madrid was in turn noti-
fed by the Spanish minister for for
eign affairs that the withdrawal of the
Spanish representative from the
United States had terminated diplo-
matte relations between the two coun-
tries and that all official communica-
tons between their respective repre-
sentatives ceased herewith.
| commnd to your especial attention
the note addressed to the United States
minister at Madrid by the Spanish min
lister for foreign affairs on the 2lst
instant, whereby the foregoing notifi-
cation was conveyed 1t will be per-
celved therefrom that the government
OF Spain having cognizance of the Joint
resolution of the United States Con-
gress, and in view OF the things which
the President is thereby required and
authorized to do, responds by treating
the reasonable demands of this gov
eminent as measures of hostility, fol-
lowing with that instant and complete
severance OF relations by it's action,
which by the usages Of nations accom-
panies an existent state Of war
The position of Spain being thus
made known and being accompanied
by a complete rupture of intercourse
by the act of Spain, | have been con-
authority conferred upon me by the
resolution aforesaid to proclaim, under
date of April %, 1898, a blockade of
certain ports of the north coast of
Cuba, lying between Cardenas And Ba-
hia Honda, and of the port of Cienfue-
COS on the south coast Of Cuba: and
further in exercise OF my constitu-
tional powers and using the authority
conferred upon me by the act of Con-
gress approved April %, 1898, calling
for volunteers in order to carry into
effect the said resolution of April 20,
1898 Copies of these proclamations
are hereto appended.
In view Of the measures so taken,
and with view to the adoption of
such other measures as may be neces-
sary to enable me to carry out the
expressed will OF the Congress of the
United States in the premises, | now
recommend to your honorable body the
adoption of joint resolution declaring
that state Of war exists between the
United States Of America and the
Kingdom Of Spain, and | urge speedy
action thereon to the end that the
definition of the International status OF
the United States as belligerent pow
er 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.
TSignedl WILLIAM M'KINLEY.
Executive Mansion, Washington, April
% 1898