The times., 1898-04-23
A BLOCKADE PROCLAIMED
Cuban Ports Closed to Commerce
by America.
THE POWERS ARE NOTIFIED
President Mckinley Takes Decisive
Sfeps Toyynrd ProsecutinE the
Mar-The Volunteer Army pin
Signed-A Long Session of the
Cabinet Is Held.

The meeting of the Cabinet Yesterday
was a most important one, as it was the
first official meeting of the members OF
the Presidents advisers since war orders
were issued. At the special session held
on Thursday orders were issued undeF
which the North Atlantic squadron is now
blockading the ports Of Cuba and hold
ing the Spaniards in their holes. The
meeting yesterday lasted about two
hours. Nothing beside the discussion OF
war measures was done and Secretary
Bliss said that no dispatches had been
received.
After the meeting, the President. ac-
companied by Secretary Alger and RobeF1
W. SmalIey. correspondent OF the London
Times. went to the War Department,
where Secretary Alger had long talk
with the President.
During the Cabinet meeting, Secretary
Ions. presen- ed TO the President a propo-
sition he had received from q number of
Yale graduates in New York city. in
which they offered TO purchase stand
of colors for the Yale. the new addition
\
Secretary read the text of the letter to
the Cabine. and concluded by recon-
mendiug that the proposition be accepted.
Shortly after the meeting the Presiden-
received a dispatch from Rear Admira!
Sampson stating that the blockade was an
accomplished fact and the proclama ion
TO the powers TO that effect Immediately
was made and given out officially from
the State Department.
1t reads as follows:
The Proclamation.
BY the President of the United States:
A PROCLAMATION.
Whereas. by joint resolution passed by
the Congress and approved April 20, 1898,
and communicated TO the government OF
Spain ii was demanded that said SOW
ernmeut at once relinQuish its authority
and government in the Island OF Cuba.
and withdraw its land and naval forces
from Cuba and Cuban waters; and the
President of the United States was di-
rected and empowered to use the entire
land and naval forces of the United States
and 10 call into the actual service Of the
United States the militia of the several
States 10 such extent as might be nee
essary 10 carry said resolution into ei-
feet; and
+ resolution. the President of the United
States deems il necessary to set on foot
and maintain a blockade Of the noTih
coast Of Cuba. including ali ports on
said coast between Cardenas and Bahia
Honda and the port Of Cienfuegos, on
the south coast Of Cuba;
Now therefore. ]. William Nc
Kinley. President of the United States
in order 10 enforce the said resolution
do hereby declare and proclaim tha
The United States Of America have in
sticuted and viii maintain blockad'
of The north coast of Cuba. including
ports on said coast between Cardenas
and Bahia Honda, and the port Of Glen
fuegos on the south coast of Cuba
aforesaid. in pursuance Of the laws D
the United States and the law Of na
tions applicable TO such cases
-aa An efficient force viii be posted so as Il
prevent The entrance and eXi
OF vessels from the ports afore
said ANY neutral vessel reach
ing any Of said ports. or attempt
ing 10 leave the same. without notice o
knowledge OF the establishment of sue
blockade VIII be duly warned By tn
commander Of the blockading forces. VIII
will indorse on her register the fact an
the date Of such warning. where sucl
Endorsement was made; and if the sam
vessel shall again attempt 10 enter an
blockaded port. she viii be captured an
sent 10 the nearest convenient port 70
such proceedings against her and he
cargo as prize as may be deemed ad
visable-
Neutral vessels lying in any Of sai
ports at the time Of the establishment o
such blockade viii be allowed thirty day
10 issue therefrom.
In witness whereof / have hereunto Sc
my hand and caused the seal of the Unit
ed States 70 be affixed.
Done at the city Of Washington this y
day Of April A ID. 1898. and Of the inde
pendence of the United States The on
hundred and twenty-second.
WILLIAM MCKINLEY.
By the President.
JOHN SHERMAN, Secretary Of State
Volunteer Eli signed.
At 3.l5 the President affixed his sig
nature TO the volunteer army bin whic
was passed by Congress yesterday Tn
bin reached the White House al 2:35.
II was stated a the White House tha
q formal declaration Of war was unnec
essary. as Spain had virtually made sue
a declaration in that Minister Wood
ford's passports were given him Thurs
day. with the information that diplo
matte relations between the two Coun
tries were al an end.
The proclamation was finished las
night and il viii be made public hi
morning. II was stated at the Whit
House Yesterday that the proclamatioI
will cali for 100000 troops, instead Of 50,
0J3. as was al first intended.
il was expected al first that the pr0cla
nation would be made public a. soon a
the President signed the volunteer bill
causing il 10 become law thereby
but there were several additions yet 4
be made To il when the bin was place
ia the hands Of the President and b
decided al the last moment. 70 wait I'm
tllI TODAY when he could have q chanc
10 spend more time on it, The Presiden
denied himself 10 all callers while he ha
the bin in his possession, and when b
signed il the fact was kept secret Ip
nearly an hour.
Mr. HaHna at tlc " hite House.