Pike County press. (Milford, Pa.) 1895-1925, 1898-04-29
RESUME OF
CUBAN EVENTS.

/
dent, and accompanied with his ul-
timatum was Immediately transmit
ted to the Spanish Government.
His demand was that Spain with
draw her forces from, and abandon
Cuba before Saturday, April 23d. +,
and failing to do so, he would employ
the force authorized by the resolu.
tion. Before Gen. Woodford, the
Minister to Spaiu, could lay the re-
quest before the Spanish authorities
he was handed his passports on
Wednesday, and informed that dip
lomatic relations between the two
countries were ended. He thereup-
on made immediate preparations
TO leave, and took his departure
Thursday, for France. Thursday
evening, the North Atlantic Squad
ron, under command of Capt. Samp-
son, left Key West and took posi-
tion outside the harbor, preparatory
to sailing early Friday morning for
Cuban waters. While lying outside,
the Nashville captured a Spanish
merchantman, the Blu ena Ventura,
Il large steamship loaded with lum-
Der. The President, April %. issued
Il call for 1875, 900 volunteers to serve
for two years or until the close of
the war, and issued proclamation
formally announcing blockade of
the north coast of Cuba, including
ports on said coast between Cardenas
aud Bahia Honda, aud the port of
Cienfuegos on the south coast.
April 23, the House of Represent
atives passed the Army Re-organiza-
tion BILL Sunday, April "a, Spain
issued formal announcement that a
state of war exists between the two
countries, annulling the treaties
with our Government, and declaring
that because of our injustice and
provocation, and by our detestable
conduct, the grave conflict has been
brought on.
This Government cut the Havana
Cable Sunday, and General Blanco is
now cut off from all communications
with Spain.
On Sunday, Great Britain served
notice on both Spain and this coun-
try, to withdraw their men of-war
from her ports, within twenty four
hours. This action is regarded high
ly favorable to the United States,
inasmuch as it shows the powers of
Europe that she proposes to be
strictly neutral, and will render no
assistance in intervening to end the
war. This action will, it is thought t
effectually prevent the intervention
of Continental Powers, as they will
not take action unless Great Britain
is a party to it.
Monday, President Mckinley sent
to Congress a brief message in which
he recited Spain's action in ending
diplomatic relations with the Uni
ted States in a summary manner,
recommended the adoption of a
joint resolution declaring that a
state of war exists between this
Country and Spain, and urged speedy
action to the end that the definition
of the international States as bel
ligerent power might be made known
and the assertion of all her rights
and maintenance of all her duties
in the conduct of a republic may be
assured.
The House, in one minute and for
ty-one seconds, passed the following
bill:
Be it enacted First.-That war be
and the same is hereby declared to
exist, and that war has existed since
the twenty-frst of April 1898, inclu-
ding said day, between the United
States of America and the Kingdom
of Spain.
Second That the President of the
United States be, and he is hereby
directed and empowered to use the
entire land and naval forces of the
United States, and to call into actual
service of the United States the mil
itia of the several States to such an
extent as may be necessary to carry
this act into effect.
Secretary Sherman, by reason of
his advanced age, felt that the duties
of his responsible Office. should be
performed by some one more able to
bear the strain and resigned from
the Cabinet. The President appoint
ed to succeed him, Judge William r.
Day, OF Ohio.
Spanish vessels, in United States
waters, will be allowed until May 21
for loading and departing.
Both France and Great Britain
have declared neutrality, and Eng
land will allow belligerents to take
ON only sufficient coal to carry them
to the nearest port in their own
Country, and such ships must not