roving that no nation, however
rich, can equip itself with a navy in an emergency. Not one
battle-ship was available for purchase, and only four cruisers, of
doubtful quality. And while this work of preparation was going
hurriedly on the country was drifting into war with what seemed at the
time inexplicable slowness, but to the calmer backward glance of
history will appear dangerously swift in the face of our great lack of
preparation. What might be termed the milestones on the march to
battle were these:

_April 5._--Consul General Fitz Hugh Lee recalled from Havana.

_April 11._--Message of the President on Cuba, recommending that we
have power to intervene forcibly without "recognizing at this time the
independence of the present insurgent government."

_April 13._--The House passed a resolution directing the President to
intervene in Cuba at once, and authorizing him to use the land and
naval forces of the United States to stop the war.

_April 16._--The Senate passed a joint resolution, as a substitute for
the House resolution, declaring the island to be free, recognizing the
republic, demanding relinquishment of authority in Cuba by Spain, and
withdrawal of Spanish forces; directing the President to call out the
militia in addition to regular land and naval forces, and, finally,
disclaiming any intention to annex the island.

_April 19._--Senate resolution adopted by the House, with the proviso
recognizing the republic of Cuba stricken out. Both houses agreed to
the report in this form.

_April 20._--Ultimatum to Spain, cabled at 11 A.M.--a formal demand
that 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.

President signed Cuban joint resolutions at 11.24.

Senor Polo y Bernabe, the Spanish Minister, was notified. He at once
requested his passports.

_April 21._--General Woodford, the American Minister at Madrid, left
Spain.

The President directed the Secretary of the Navy to order the vessels
of the North Atlantic squadron to proceed without delay to Cuban
waters to blockade Havana and other ports of the island.

_April 23._--President McKinley signed the proclamation calling for
125,000 volunteers.

_April 25._--Formal declaration of war recommended by the President,
and a bill "declaring that war exists between the United States of
America and the Kingdom of Spain," passed by both houses.

And so