Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1898-04-25

QeQL 10 Gay SEM 10 congress luc iolIoH-
ing message recommending declara-
ton OF war against Spain:
EXECUTIVE MANSION,
Washington, April %, 1895. }
To the Senate and House of Represent
atives of the United States of Amer.
lea:
l transmit to the Congress for its con-
sideration and appropriate action copies
of correspondence recently had with
tho representative ofSpain 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 recog-
milton of the independence of the people
of Cuba, demanding that the govern.
ment of Spain relinquish its authority
and government in the island of Cuba
and to withdraw its land aud 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"
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 at Madrid was in turn mott
fed by the Spanish minister for
foreign 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 represent
atives ceased Herewith.
commend to your especial attention
the note addressed to the United States
Minister at Madrid by the Spanish
Minister for foreign affairs on the 2lst
instant, whereby the foregoing Motif
cation was conveyed. 1t will be per-
ceived therefrom that the government
of Spain, having cognizance of the
joint resolution of the United States
Congress, aud in view of the things
which the President is thereby required
and authorized to do, responds by treat
ing the reasonable demands of this
government as measures of hostility,
following with that instant and COM
plete severance Of relations by its &C
ton which, by the usage Of nations &C
companies an existent state of war be.
tween sovereign powers.
The position of Spain being thus
make known and the demands OF the
United States being denied with COM
pete rupture of intercourse by the act
Of Spain, | have been constrained in
exercise OF the power and authority
conferred upon me by the joint resolu
ton aforesaid, to proclaim under date
OF April %, 1898, a blockade of certain
ports of the north coast of Cuba lying
between Cardenas and Bahia Honda
aid of the port Cienfnegos on the south
coast Of Cuba and further, in exercise
OF my constitutional powers and using
the authority conferred upon me by the
act of Congress approved April %, 1898,
to issue my proclamation dated April
%, 1898, calling for volunteers in order
to carry into effect the said resolution
of April 20, 1898. Copies of these pro-
CARNATIONS are hereto appended.
Ia view of the measures so taken, and
with q view to the adoption of such
other measures as may be necessary to
enable me to carry out the expressed
will ofthe Congress Of the United States
in the premises, now recommend to
your honorable body the adoption of a
joint resolution declaring that q 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 interna-
tional status of the United States as
belligerent power may be made known,
and the assertion of all its rights and
the maintenance of all It's duties in the
conduct of public war may be assured.
WILLIAM MCKINLEY.