Page:Statesman's Year-Book 1899 American Edition.djvu/239

Rh That the people of the Island of Cuba are, and of right ought to be, free and independent, demanding, that the Government of Spain at once relinquish its authority and government in the Island of Cuba and withdraw its land and naval forces from Cuba and Cuban waters, empowering the President to use the entire land and naval forces of the United States, and of the several States, to such extent as may be necessary to carry the resolution into effect, and disclaiming any disposition or intention to exercise sovereignty, jurisdiction, or control over said island except for the pacification thereof.

This resolution received Executive approval April 20, and a copy was at once communicated to the Spanish Minister at Washington, who asked for his passports, which request was granted. Upon his withdrawal he left the protection of Spanish interests to the French Ambassador and the Austro-Hungarian Minister. General Woodford, the American Minister at Madrid, was informed of the text of the resolution, and directed to communicate it to the Government of Spain, giving Spain until noon of April 23 to reply.

This demand was not delivered to the Spanish Government at Madrid. On the morning of April 21, before General Woodford could present his instructions, the Spanish Minister of State notified him that upon the President's approval of the joint resolution, the Madrid Government had broken off diplomatic relations between the two countries. General Woodford thereupon demanded his passports and left Madrid the same day.

April 22 the President proclaimed a blockade of the north coast of Cuba, and the port of Cienfuegos on the south coast of Cuba, and on the next day, April 23, called for volunteers to execute the purpose of the resolution. On the 25th Congress passed an act declaring the existence of war from and including the 21st day of April, and May 25, a second call for 75,000 additional troops was made. The ranks of the regular army were increased to the limits provided by the act of April 26. 1898.

The first encounter of the war in point of date took place April 27, when a detachment of the blockading squadron made a reconnaissance in force at Matanzas. The next engagement was by the Pacific fleet, under Commodore George Dewey, which had lain some weeks at Hongkong. At daybreak on the 1st of May Dewey's forces entered Manila Bay, and, after a few hours' engagement, effected the total destruction of the Spanish fleet, consisting of 10 warships and a transport, besides capturing the naval station and forts at Cavité, and securing complete control of the bay of Manila. Not a life