I transmit to Congress for its consideration and appropriate
action copies of correspondence recently had with the
representative of Spain in the United States, with the United
States Minister at Madrid, and through the latter with the
government of Spain, showing the action taken under the joint
resolution approved April 20, 1898, "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 carry
these resolutions into effect."

Upon communicating with the Spanish Minister in Washington the
demand which it became the duty of the executive to address to the
government of Spain, in obedience to said resolution, the said
Minister asked for his passports and withdrew. The United States
Minister at Madrid was in turn notified by the Spanish Minister
for Foreign Affairs that the withdrawal of the Spanish
representative from the United States had terminated diplomatic
relations between the two countries, and that all official
communications between their respective representatives ceased
therewith.

I recommend to your special attention the note addressed to the
United States Minister at Madrid by the Spanish Minister for
Foreign Affairs on the 21st inst., whereby the foregoing
notification was conveyed. It will be perceived therefrom that the
government of Spain, having cognizance of the joint resolution of
the United States Congress, and in view of things which the
President is thereby required and authorized to do, responds by