to the
vessels moored close to the _Maine_, whose officers and crews noticed
nothing that could lead them to suppose that the disaster was caused
otherwise than by an accident inside the American vessel.

_April 18._ Congress passed the Senate resolution, as given above, with an
additional clause as follows:

_Fourth_, That the United States hereby disclaim 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.

CHAPTER III.

A DECLARATION OF WAR.

All that had been done by the governments of the United States and of
Spain was indicative of war,--it was virtually a declaration that an appeal
would be made to arms.

_April 20._ Preparations were making in each country for actual
hostilities, and the American people were prepared to receive the
statement made by a gentleman in close touch with high officials, when he
wrote:

"The United States has thrown down the gage of battle and Spain has picked
it up.

"The signing by the President of the joint resolutions instructing him to
intervene in Cuba was no sooner communicated to the Spanish minister than
he immediately asked the State Department to furnish him with his
passports.

"It was defiance, prompt and direct.

"It was the shortest and quickest manner for Spain to answer our
ultimatum.

"Nominally Spain has three days in which to make her reply. Actually that
reply has already been delivered.

[Illustration: U. S. S. COLUMBIA.]

"When a nation withdraws her minister from the territory of another it is
an open announcement to the world that all friendly relations have
terminated.

"Answers to ultimatums have before this been returned at the cannon's
mouth. First the minister is withdrawn, then comes the firing. Spain is
ready to speak through shotted guns.

"And the United States is ready to answer, gun for gun.

"The queen regent opened the Cortes in Madrid yesterday, saying, in her
speech from the throne: 'I have summoned the Cortes to defend our rights,
whatever sacrifice they may entail, trusting to the Spanish people to
gather behind my son's throne. With our glorious army, navy, and nation
united before foreign aggression, we trust in God that we shall overcome,
without st