Evening star., 1917-04-08
Former Passes Formal Dec
Iaration and Latter Pledges
Assistance to U. S.
TEUTON SHIPS SEIZED
IN HARBOR OF HAVANA
1sthmian Republic Proclaims Aid to
U. S.-Canceling Kaiser's
Consuls' Exquaturs.

HAVANA, April Cuba, not
yet out of her teens as republic,
is at war with Germany-the first
of the Latin American countries
to range herself alongside the
United States, her liberator and
protector. -
At 7:16 tonight President Menocal af-
fixed his signature to the joint resolution
passed unanimously late this afternoon
by both the senate and house without a
dissenting voice being raised. thus put
ting into effect the declaration that
state of war exists between Cuba and the
imperial German government.
The senate acted with extreme solem-
nifty. The resolution was read. DR.. Ri
cardo DolZ conservative leader then
sive speech in favor of the resolution. No
amendments were offered and the seven
teen senators present>voted Aye when
the motion was put.
More Excitement in the House.
The scene in the house was more en-
livening. The galleries were packed with
men and women long before the session
opened. the ministers of France. Spain
and Uruguay occupying seats in the dip
lomatic section.
After the reading of the joint reso-
luton Representative Alfredo Betan-
court, speaking for the conservatives,
made am>impassioned speech in favor
of it's adoption. He was frequently in
terrupted by tremendous applause. the
entire house and galleries rising to
their feet. cheering and ciappins
Jose NJ Cortinia addressed the house
for the liberal side in support OF the
resolution.
Then by a rising vote the house
unanimously adopted the resolution.
Text of the Resolution.
The resolution follows:
Article /. Resolved. That from today
La state of war is formally declared be-
tween the Republic of Cuba and the i'm
perial government of Germany, and the
president of the republic is authorized
and directed by this resolution to en-
ploy all the forces of the nation and
the resources of our government to
make war against the imperial German
government with the object Of main
tanning our rights; guarding our terri
tory and providing for our security;
prevent any acts which may be at
tempted against US, and defend the
navigation Of the seas, the liberty OF
commerce and the rights of neutrals
and International justice.
Article 2. The president of the re-
public is hereby authorized to use all
the land and naval forces in the form
he may deem necessary, using existing
forces, reorganiZing them or creating
new ones, and to dispose of the eco
nomic forces of the nation in any way
he may deem necessary.
Article g. The President will give ac-
count to Congress OF the measures
adopted in fulillment of this law.
which will be in operation from the
| moment of it's publication in the Of
fetal gazette"
Germans Damage Interned Ship.
Late this afternoon Chief Inspector
of the Port Panne notified Eusebio
Azpiazu, secretary to the president,
that he had observed large volumes of
smoke pouring from the funnel of the
self-interned German ship Bavaria;
Port police went aboard the ship and
we're Informed by her commander,
Capt. Graafies, that he. in compliance
with orders from his government, had
attempted to damage the machinery IN
order to render the ship useless.
The crew. together with the captain
and his wife, were removed. as We're
the crews of three other interned Ger
man ships in the Havana harbor. All
were sent to Cabanas fortress
Panama to Assist U. S.
PANAMA. April THE president of
the rebublic of Panama. DR.. Ramon
Valdez, signed proclamation this
afternoon committing Panama unre-
reseryedlv to the assistance of the
I-nited States in the defense of the
canal.
The president also Cancelled the ex-
equaturs of all the HERMAN coiisuis III
Panama. -
The proclamation declares:
"Our inuisputable duty in this tre-
mendous hour of history is of a com
mon ally. whose interests and exist
ance as we'll, are linked indissolubly
with the United States AS the stu
alton creates dangers for our country,
it is the duty, of the Panama people
20 cooperate with all the energies
and resources they can command for
the protection of the canal and to safe
guard national territory
THE attitude of the people was fore
seen and interpreted faithfully in a
resolution unanimously approved by the
national assembly on February "a and
confirmed by later laws. and the moment
has arrived for the executive to act in
accordance with the declarations of the
supreme body. l. therefore, declare
that the Panaman nation. will lend EN-
phatic cooperation to the United States
against enemies who execute, or at
tempt to execute. hostile acts against
the territory of the canal or in any
manner affect OF. tend to affect, the
common interests.
The government will adopt adequate
measures in accordance with the cir
Continued on Second Page)
ARMY OFFICER ATTACKED.