roken between the two countries, and
that all official communication between the respective representatives has
ceased. I accordingly asked for my passports. Have turned the legation
over to the British embassy, and leave for Paris this afternoon. Have
notified consuls.

"'WOODFORD.'"

The Spanish newspapers applauded the "energy" of their government, and
printed the paragraph inserted below as a semi-official statement from the
throne:

"The Spanish government having received the ultimatum of the President of
the United States, considers that the document constitutes a declaration
of war against Spain, and that the proper form to be adopted is not to
make any further reply, but to await the expiration of the time mentioned
in the ultimatum before opening hostilities. In the meantime the Spanish
authorities have placed their possessions in a state of defence, and their
fleet is already on its way to meet that of the United States."

_April 21._ General Woodford left Madrid late in the afternoon, and
although an enormous throng of citizens were gathered at the railway
station to witness his departure, no indignities were attempted. The
people of Madrid professed the greatest enthusiasm for war, and the
general opinion among the masses was that Spain would speedily vanquish
the United States.

In Havana, in response to the manifesto from the palace, the citizens
began early to decorate the public buildings and many private residences,
balconies, and windows with the national colours. A general illumination
followed, as on the occasion of a great national festivity. Early in the
evening no less than eight thousand demonstrators filled the square
opposite the palace, a committee entering and tendering to the
captain-general, in the name of all, their estates, property, and lives in
aid of the government, and pledging their readiness to fight the invader.

General Blanco thanked them in the name of the king, the queen regent and
the imperial and colonial governments, assuring them that he would do
everything in his power to prevent the invaders from setting foot in Cuba.
"Otherwise I shall not live," he said, in conclusion. "Do you swear to
follow me to the fight?"

"Yes, yes, we do!" the crowd answered.

"Do you swear to give the last drop of blood in your veins before letting
a foreigner step his foot on the land we discovered, and place his yok