You have been furnished with the text of a joint resolution voted by the
Congress of the United States on the 19th instant (approved to-day) in
relation to the pacification of the island of Cuba. In obedience to that
act, the President directs you to immediately communicate to the
[Page 763]
Government of Spain said
resolution, with the formal demand of the Government of the United
States 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. In taking this step the United States hereby
disclaims any disposition or intention to exercise sovereignty,
jurisdiction, or control over said island except for the pacification
thereof, and asserts its determination when that is accomplished to
leave the government and control of the island to its people under such
free and independent government as they may establish.
If by the hour of noon on Saturday next, the 23d day of April, instant,
there be not communicated to this Government by that of Spain a full and
satisfactory response to this demand and resolution whereby the ends of
peace in Cuba shall be assured, the President will proceed without
further notice to use the power and authority enjoined and conferred
upon him by the said joint resolution to such extent as may be necessary
to carry the same into effect.
[Inclosure.]
[Public Resolution—No.
21.]
JOINT RESOLUTION for the recognition of the
independence of the people of Cuba, demanding that the Government of
Spain relinquish its authority and government in the island of Cuba,
and to withdraw its land and naval forces from Cuba and Cuban
waters, and directing the President of the United States to use the
land and naval forces of the United States to carry these
resolutions into effect.
Whereas the abhorrent conditions which have existed for more than
three years in the island of Cuba, so near our own borders, have
shocked the moral sense of the people of the United States, have
been a disgrace to civilization, culminating as they have in the
destruction of a United States battle ship, with two hundred and
sixty-six of its officers and crew, while on a friendly visit in the
harbor of Havana, and can not longer be endured, as has been set
forth by the President of the United States in his message to
Congress of April eleventh, eighteen hundred and ninety-eight, upon
which the action of Congress was invited: Therefore,
Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives
of the United States of America in Congress assembled,
First. That the people of the island of Cuba are, and of right ought
to be, free and independent.
Second. That it is the duty of the United States to demand, and the
Government of the United States does hereby demand, 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.
Third. That the President of the United States be, and he hereby is,
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 as may be
necessary to carry these resolutions into effect.
Fourth. That the United States hereby disclaims any disposition or
intention to exercise sovereignty, jurisdiction, or control over
said island, except for the pacification thereof, and asserts its
determination, when that is accomplished, to leave the government
and control of the island to its people.
Approved, April 20, 1898.
