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.
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 First the minister is withdrawn, then comes the firing.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.