South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1917-04-08
Joint Resolution Is Passed by
House and Senate and
PreS't MenOCaI Signs
Measure.
TNTERNED SHIPS Are SEIZED
BY GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS
Effort Is Made by Crews OF
Vessels to Sink Boats to
Close Port TO All
Navigation.
AssoeLsted Press service

4 SSotlAten Ifeo> f>eIflNF
HAVANA, April cuba, not yet
out Of her teens as a republic. IS
at war with Germauy-the first Of
the Latin-American countries 10
range herself alongside the United
States. her Hberator and protector
At 7:I6 o'clock tonight Pres't
Menocsl affixed his signature TO the
Joint resolution passed unanimously
late this afternoon both roy the
house and senate without "a dissent
ing voice being raised thus putting
into effect the declaration that a
state of war exists between Cuoa
and the imperial German govern
ment
gle joint committees appointed
only yesterday by the house and
senate agreed early this afternoon
on the phraseology OF the resolu-
ton to be presented and the stage
was set for quick action before eth
er branch OF congress convened
Act SOlcmnly.
The senate acted with extreme
solemnity. The resolution was read.
Or. Ricardo Doll. conservative lead
er. then took the floor and made
short. impressive speech In favor OF
the resolution. No amendments were
offered and the ~ senators present
voted AYE" when the motion was
put. There was no applause or eN-
element following the vote
The scene in the house was more
enIivening The galleries were
packed with men and women long
before the session opened. The min
listers Of France, Spain and Uruguay
occupied seats in the diplomatic sec
ton.
After the reading Of the joint res
olution Rep. Alfredo Betancourt,
speaking for the conservatives made
an impassioned speech ina favor Of
its adoption. He was frequently in
terrupted by tremendous applause.
the entire house and galleries rising
10 their feet cheering and clapping
wildly
Jose NJ. Cortinet addressed the
house for the liberal side Boz sup
port Of the resolution.
Then by "A rising vote the house
unanimously adopted the resolution.
The resolution follows.
Pass Resolution.
Article T. Resolved. That from
today a state Of war is formally de-
clared between the republic n Cuba
and the imperial government or
Germany and the president OF the
republic is authorized and directed
by this resolution 20 employ all the
forces Of the nation and the re-
sources of our government 20 make
war against the imperial German
government with the object o. main
tanning our rights. guarding our ter
ritory and providing for our secur-
ity; prevent any acts which may be
attempted against u.s. and defend
the navigation or the seas. the lib
erty Of commerce and the rights Of
neutraIs and international justice
Article 2 The president Of the
republic is hereby authorized % use
all the land and naval forces in the
form he may deem necessary.
Article @. The president viii give
account % congress OF the measures
adopted in fulfllment OF this law.
which will be in operation from the
moment Of it's publication On the Of
fetal Gazette
Late this aftern pon Chief Inspect
or OF the Port Paune notified HUSH
bio Azpiazu, secretary 20 the presi-
dent. that he had observed large
volumes OF smoke pouring from the
funnel OF the self-interned German
ship Bavaria
Dismsntle ships.
Port police went aboard the ship
and were Informed BY her com
mander. Capt Graahes, that ne. IN
com phance with orders from his
Government had attempted O. dam
axe the machinery On order 60 rem
der the ship useless.
The crew, together with the cap
tain and his wife. were removed. ~
were the crews OF three other in-
termed German ships IN the Havana
.s-~r.r..~~~rar.