Cameron County press. [volume] (Emporium, Cameron County, Pa.) 1866-1922, 1898-05-05
WAR DECLARED
Congress Goes Through a Neces.
3ary Formality.
Both Branches of the National Legislature
Pass IA Bin Announcing that War Ex-
lists Between the United States
and Spain - The Presi-
dents Message.

Washington, April 26.-The president
yesterday sent congress the following
message recommending a declaration
of war against Spain:
To the senate and house Of representatives of
the United States:
l transmit to the congress for its consdera-
tion and appropriate action copies of corre-
spondencc 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 ap-
proved April 20. 1898, for the recognition of
the independence of the people of Cuba, de-
manding that the government of Spain relin-
quish its authority and government in the
island of Cuba, and to withdraw it's land and
naval forces from Cuba and Cuban waters, and
directing the president of the United States to
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 executive to address to the gov
ernmGnt of Spain in obedience to said rcsou-
tion, the minister asked for his passports and
Withdrew. The United States minister at
Madrid was in turn notified by the Spanish
minister for foreign affairs that the WITHDRAW wal
of the Spanish representative from the United
States had terminated diplomatic relations be-
tween the two countries and that all official
resentatives 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 inst, whereby the foregoing
notification was conveyed 1t will be perceived
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 pres dent is thereby required and
authorized to do responds by treating the rea-
sonable demands of this government as meas
ures OF hostility, following with that instant
and complete severance Of relations by its
action, which by the usage of nations accom-
panies an existent state Of war between SOW
eregn powers.
The position of Spain being thus made known
and the demands Of the United States being
denied with a complete rupture Of intercourse
by the act of Spain, have been constrained in
exercise OF the power and authority conferred
upon me by the joint resolution aforesaid, to
proclaim, under date OF April 22, 1898, q block
ade of certain ports of the north coast of Cuba
lying between Cardenas and Bahia Honda, and
of the port Of Cienfuegos on the south coast of
Cuba; and further in exercise of my constitu-
tional powers and using the authority con-
ferred upon me by the act of congress approved
April ~, 1898, to issue my proclamation dated
April %. 1893 calling for volunteers in order to
carry into effect the said resolution Of April %,
1898. Copies of these proclamations are hereto
appended
In view of the measures so taken, and with a
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, | now recommend to
gour honorable body the adoption Of joint
resolution declaring that state of exists
between the United States of America and the
kingdom Of Spain. and 1 urge speedy action
thereon to the end that the definition OF the
International status of the United States as a
In
ion of all its rights and the maintenance of all
is duties in the conduct of a public war may
&c assured. WILLIAM MCKINLEY
Executive Mansion, Washington, April %,
1893.
The house passed the bill declaring
the existence of state of war between
the United States and Spain in a man
ner which cannot fail to impress the
world. The representatives of 70, 000,-
800 people voted for it without word
IF debate, without u dissenting vote
and without roll call. but with a sol
emn appreciation of the gravity of
their momentous action. 1t required
but one minute and Al seconds to ac-
complish this. The house was consid-
ering an election case and simply
paused to declare war. There was no
excitement, no cavil, no word or ques-
ton.
After the presidents message was
read the committee on foreign affairs
framed the resolution, Acting Chair
man Adams wrote the report and il
was passed and on its way to the SEN
ate in an hour and six minutes. The
speaker signed it at 4:49.
After a debate of an hour and half's
duration, conducted in secret session.
the senate passed the bill declaring
that war exists between the United
States and Spain. The debate in the
senate was based on an amendment
offered by Senator Turpie providing
for the recognition of the belligerent
rights Of the insurgent Cubans. The
amendment was defeated-3S to "a.
Following is the bill as adopted:
Be it enacted, etc.; First-That war be and
the same is hereby declared to exist and that
war has existed since the 2lst day of April.
1888. including said day, between the United
States of America and the kingdom of Spain
Sc ond-rhat the president of the United
States is hereby directed and empowered to
use the entire land and naval forces of the
United States and to call into the actual service
of the United States the militia of the several
states to such extent may be necessary to
carry this act into effect.
The war bill was brought from the
Capitol by the clerk of the enrolling
division and reached the White House
a few minutes before 6 o'clock. The
presidential signature was affixed at
6:l5 and the measure was then the law
of the land.
Fortitications Strengthened.
Ft. Monroe, Va, April 25.-The work
of strenpt heninG the fortitcationS at