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About The Dalles weekly chronicle. (The Dalles, Or.) 1890-1947 | View Entire Issue (Dec. 7, 1898)
Supplement TO THE DALLES CHRONICLE. WEUXESDAY, -DECEMBER T, lSOS. THE AIS Ik President's Address to Congress. OUR LATE WAR A FEATURE 2Vo 8uegestlona Made Regarding tbo Government of Oar New Territories Foreign Relation Generally Satis factory Hawaiian Annexation. To the Senate and House of Representa tives: Notwithstanding the added burdens Tendered necessary by the war, our people rejoice In a very satisfactory and steadily Increasing degree of prosperity, evidenced by the-largest volume of business ever xecorded. Every manufacture has been productive, agricultural pursuits have yielded abundant returns, labor in the fields' of industry is better rewarded, rev- congress has increased the treasury's re ceipts to the amount estimated by its authors, the finances of the government have been successfully administered and its credit advanced to the first rank; while Its currency has been maintained at the world's highest standard. Military serv ice under a common flag and for a righteous cause has strengthened the national spirit and served to cement more closely than ever the fraternal bonds be tween everv section of the country. A review of the relations of the United States to other powers, always appropri ate, is this year of primary importance, in view of the momentous issues which have risen, demanding in one Instance the ultimate determination by arms and in volving far-reaching consequences which will require the earnest attention of the congress. In my last annual message, very full consideration was given to the question of the duty of the government of the United States toward Spain and the Cu ban insurrection, as being by far the most important problem with which we were called upon to deal. The considera tions then advanced, and the exposition of the views therein expressed, disclosed my 6ense of the extreme gravity of tha situation. Selling US lusiwaiij "1Jlw" v .rti- nrofHfAl!v' InArimtastble. - rocogni- : tion of the Cuban insurgents as belliger ents, : recognition of the Independence of- Cuba, .neutral intervention to end the war by imposing a rational compromise betwoeiP the contestants, intervention in favor of one or the other, party and tne 'forcible annexation of the island, I con . eluded it was honestly due to our friendly rplatinns with Snaln that she should be given a reasonable chance to realize her expectations of reform to which she had hecome irrevocably committed. nn.kla . n.AAlra nPAirtnilolv KhA , 1 III .1 1 a icn wccua i" . iw ..... . - had announced comprehensive plans which it was .confidently? asserted would be eSlcacious to remedy the evils so jiaanlv afftwtlner nil r nwn country. - SO in- hirlous to the true interests of the mother country, as well as to those of ihn an? Rn rpmifmnnt to the universal sentiment of humanity. Failure of Antonomy. . The ensuing months brought little sign of real progress toward the pacification of Cuba. The autonomous administra tion set up In the capital and some of the principal cities appeared not to gain the favor of the inhabitants nor to be able to extend their influence to the large extent of territory held by the insurgents, while the military army, obviously unable to cope with, the still active rebellion, continued many of the most objectionable and offensive policies of the government that had preceded It. No tangible relief was afforded the vast numbers of un happy reconcentrados. deppiie the reit erated professions made in that regard and the amount appropriated by Spainvto that end. The proffered expedient , of zones of cultivation proved illusory: in deed, no less practical nor more deluBive promises of succor could well have been tendered to the exhausted and destitute people, stripped of all th at made life and home dear, and herded in a strange re giou among unsympathetic strangers hardly less necessitous than themselves. By the end of December the mortality among them had frightfully increased. Conservative estimates from . Spanish sources placed the deaths among theso distressed people at over 40 per cent from the time General Weyler's decree of reconcentration was enforced. With the acquiescence of the Spanish authorities, a i ,o. anrvtsri tar relief bv charlta- ! wuciuc iij .... ,- - - ble contributions raised in tnls country and distributed, under the direction of the consul-general and the several consuls, by noble and earnest Individual effort through the organized -agencies .of the American Red Cross. Thousands of lives were- thus - saved, but many thousands more were inaccessible to such forms of aid The war continued on the old footing without comprehensive plan, developing only the same spasmodic encounters bar renfof strategic result, that had marked the course of the earlier 10 years' rebel lion, as well 'as the present Insurrection from its start. No alternative save physi cal exhaustion of either combatant, and therewithal the practical ruin of the isl and, lay in sight, but how far distant no one could venture to conjecture. Destruction of th Maine. ' At this juncture, on the 15th of Febru ary last, occurred the destruction of the battle-ship . Maine, while rightfully lying in the harbor of Havana on a mission of International courtesy and. good- will, a catastrophe the suspicious nature and horror of which stirred the nation's heart profoundly.. It is a striking , evidence of the poise and. sturdy . good sense distin guishing our national character that this shocking blow, falling upon a generous people already' deeply touched by pre ceding events in Cuba, did not move them lo aesperaie resolve 10 luieraie nu iiueci the existence of a condition of danger and disorder ardour doors that made possible such a deed by whomsoever . wrought. Yet the instinct of justice prevailed, and the nation anxiously awaited the result of the searching investigation at once set on foot. The finding of the naval board of inquiry established-that the origin of the explosion was external by a subma rine mine, and only halted, through lack of positive testimony, to fix the responsi bility of its authorship. . ' PREPARATIONS FOR WAR. CoBgnn' Appropriation of Fifty Mil lion for Jiatlon.nl Defense. . - All those things carried conviction to the most thoughtful, even before the finding of the naval court, that a crisis in our relations with Spain and toward Cuba was at hand. Bq itrong was this belief that it needed but a brief execu tive suggestion to, congress to receive im mediate answer to the duty of making instant provision for the possible and per haps speedily probable emergency of war, and the remarkable, almost unique, spec tacle was presented of a unanimous vote of both houses on the 9th of March ap propriating 150.000,000 "for the national de fense and for each and every purpose con nected therewith, to be' expended at the discretion of the president." That this act of provision came none too soon was disclosed when the applica tion of the fund was undertaken. Our ports were practically undefended; our navy needed large provision for increased ammunition and supplies, and even num bers to cope with any sudden attack from the navy of Spain, which comprised mod ern vessels of the highest type, of conti nental perfection. Our army also re quired enlargement of. men and muni tions. The details of the hurried prepa rations for the decided contingency is told In the reports of the secretaries of war and of the navy, and need not be repeated here. It is sufficient to say that the outbreak of war, when it did come, found our na tion not unprepared to meet the conflict, nor was the apprehension of coming strife confined to our own country. It was felt by the continental powers, which, on April 6, through their ambassadors and envoys, addressed to the executive an expression of hope that humanity and moderation might mark the course of this govern ment and people, and that further nego tiations would lead to an attempt, which, while securing the maintenance of peace, would affirm all- necessary guarantees for the re-establishment of order hi Cuba. In responding to that presentation I also shared the hope which the envoys had expressed, that peace might be preserved in a manner to terminate the chronic con-' dition of disturbance in Cuba, so injuri ous and menacing to our interests and tranquillity, as well as shocking to our sentiments of humanity; and, while ap preciating the humanitarian and disinter ested character af the communication they had adopted on behalf of the powers, I stated the confidence of this govern ment on its part that equal appreciation would be shown for its earnest and un selfish endeavors to fulfill a duty of hu manity by ending a situation, the Indefi nite prolongation of which had become insufferable. Proposal of an Armistice. ' Still animated by the hope of a peace ful solution and obeying the dictates of duty, no effort was relaxed to bring about a speedy ending of the Cuban struggle. Negotiations to this effect continued actively with the government of Spain looking to the immediate conclusion of a six months' armistice in Cuba with a view to effect the recognition of her peo ple's right to Independence. Besides this, the instant revocation of the order of re concentration was asked, so that the suf ferers, returning to their homes and aided by united American and Spanish effort, might be put in a way to support themselves, and by orderly resumption of the well-nigh destroyed productive ener gies of the island contribute to the res toration of Its tranquillity and well-being. Negotiations continued for some little time at Madrid, resulting in offers by the Spanish government which could not but be regarded as inadequate. It .was. pro posed to confide the preparations of peace to the insular parliament, yet to be con vened under the autonomous decrees of November, 1S97, but without impairment in anywise of the constitutional powers of the Madrid government, which to that end would grant an armistice, if solicited by the insurgents, for such time as the general-in-chief might see fit to fix. How and with what scope of discretionary powers the insular parliament was ex pected to set about the "preparation of peace" did not appear. If it was to be by negotiation . with the Insurgents, the issue seemed to rest on the one side with a body chosen by that faction of the elec tors in the districts under Spanish con trol, and on the other, with the insurgent population holding . the Interior country,, unrepresented in the so-called parliament, and defiant at the suggestion of suing, for peace. ... . ... " Authority to Intervene.. Grieved and disappointed at this barren outcome of my sincere endeavors to reach a practicable solution, I feit it my duty to remit the whole question to congress. In the message of April 11, 1898, I announced that with this last overture in the direc tion of immediate peace in Cuba and its disappointing reception by Spain the ef fort of the executive was brought to an end. I ngain reviewed the alternative course of. action which I had prepared, concluding th&t the only course consonant with international policy and compatible with our firmly set historical traditions was intervention as a neutral to stop the war and check the hopeless sacrifice of life, even though that resort Involved "hostile constraint upon both parties to the contest, as well to enforce a truce as to provide for eventual settlement." The grounds Justifying that step -were the Interests of humanity; the duty to protect the life and property of our citi zens in Cuba; the right to check injury to our commerce and people through the dev astation' of the island, and, most impor tant, the need of removing at once and forever the constant menace and the bur dens entailed upon our government by the uncertainties and perils of the situation caused by the unendurable disturbance in Cuba. I said: "The long trial has proved that the object for which Spain has waged the war cannot be attained. The fire of Insurrection may flame or may smolder with varying seasons, but it has not been and it is plain that it cannot be extinguished by the present meod. The only hope of relief and repose from a con dition which can no longer be endured is the enforced pacification of Cuba. In the name of humanity, in the name of civilization, in behalf of endangered Amer ican Interests which give us the right and duty to speak and to act, the war in Cuba must stop." , In view of all this congress was asked to authorize and empower the president to take measures to secure, a full and final termination of hostilities between Spain and the people of Cuba and to secure to the island the establishment of a stable government, capable of maintaining or der and observing its International obli gations, in securing peace and tranquil lity and the security of its citizens as well as our own, and for the accomplish ment of those ends to use the military and naval forces of the United States as might be necessary, with added authority to continue -generous relief to the starv ing people of Cuba. The response of congress, after nine days of earnest deliberation, during which the almost unanimous sentiment of your body was developed on every point, save as lo the expediency of coupling the proposed action' with a formal recognition of the republic of Cuba as the true and lawful governmenf of that island a proposition which failed of adoption the congress, after a conference on the 13th of April, by a vote of 42 to 34 in the senate and 311 to 6 in the house, passed the memorable joint resolution declaring: "First That the people of the island of Cuba are, and by right ought to be, free and Independent. "Second That It is the duty of the Unite! States and the government of the United States hereby demands that the govern ment of Spain at once relinquish its au thority in the island of -Cuba and with draw Its land and naval forces from Cuba and Cuban waters. "Third That the president of tire United States be and is hereby directed and em powered to use the entire land and naval forces of the United States and the militia of the several states to such extent as may be necessary to carry these resolu tions into effect "Fourth That the United States hereby disclaims any disposition or Intention to exercise sovereignty, jurisdiction Or con trol over said island, except for the paclfl. cation thereof, and asserts its determina tion, when that is accomplished, to leave the government and control of the Island to Its people." . r Rapture of Negotiations. This resolution was approved by the ex ecutive on the next day, April 20. A copy was at once communicated to, the Spanish minister at this capital, who forthwith announced that his continuance in Washington had thereby become impos sible, and asked for his passports, which were given him. He thereupon withdrew from Washington, leaving the protection of Spanish interests In the United States to the French ambassador and the Aus- ' tro-Hungarian minister. Simultaneously with its communication to the Spanish minister, General Wood ford, the American minister at Madrid, was telegraphed confirmation of . the text of the Joint resolution and directed to communicate it to. the government of Spain with the formal demand that it at once relinquish ita authority and govern ment in the island of Cuba, and withdraw its forces therefrom. oouDling this demand with announcements of the Intentions of this government as to the future of the Island, in conformity with the fourth clause of the resolution, and giving Spain until noon of April 23 to reply. . The demand, although, as above shown. officially made known to the bpan leh envoy here, was not delivered at Mad rid. After the instructions reached Gen eral Woodford on the morning of April 21, but before he could present thein, the Spanish minister of state no tified him that upon the presi dent's approval of the Joint res. olution the Madrid government, regarding the act as "equivalent to an evident de laratlon of war," had ordered its minister in Washington to withdraw, thereby breaking off diplomatic Delations between the two countries and ceasing all official communication between their respective countries. General Woodford thereupon demanded his passports and quitted Mad rid on the same day. Spain, having thus denied the demand of the United States, and initiated that com plete form of runture of relations which attends a state of war, the executive pow ers authorized by the resolution were used by me to meet the enlarged contingency of actual war between Spain and the United States. , . , On April 22 I proclaimed a blockade of the northern coast of Cuba, Including ports on said coast between Cardenas and Bahia Honda and the port of Cienfuegos, on the south coast of Cuba; and on the 23d I called for volunteers to execute the pur pose of the resolution. The Declaration of War. By my message of April 25, congress was informed of the situation, and I recom mended formal declaration of the exist ence of a state of war between the United States and Spain. Congress accordingly voted on the same day the act approved Apr.'l 25, 1898, declaring the existence of such war from and including the 21st day of April, and re-enacted the provision of the - resolution of April 20, directing the president to use all the armed forces of the nation to carry that act into effect. Due notification of the existence of war as aforesaid was given April 25 by tele graph to all the governments with which the United States maintained relations, in order : that their neutrality might be as sured during the war. The various govern- ments responded with proclamations; of neutrality, each' after its own -method. It is not among the least gratifyihg'ineidents of the struggle that the .obligations of neutrality were impartially discharged by all. often under delicate and difficult circumstances.-In further fulfillment of international duty, I Issued, April 28, a proclamation an nouncing the treatment proposed to be ac corded to vessels and their cargoes as Ko blockade, contraband, the exercise of the .right of subjects and the immunity of neu tral flags and neutral goods under the enemy's flag. A similar proclamation was made by the Spanish government. In the conduct of hostilities, the rules of the declaration of Paris, Including abstention from resort to privateering, have accord ingly been observed by: both belligerents, although neither was a party to that dec laration. . - Meeting: the Emergency. Our country thus, after an Interval of half a century of peace with all nations, found Itself engaged in deadly conflict 'with a foreign enemy. Every nerve was strained to meet the emergency. The response to the Initial call for 125,000 volunteers was Instant and complete, as was also the re sult of the second call, of May 5.' for 75.000 additional volunteers. The ranks of the regular army were increased to the limit provided by the act of April 23. The en listed force of the navy on the 15th of August, when it reached its ' maximum, numbered 24,123 men and apprentices. One hundred and three vessels were added to the navy by purchase, one was oresented to the government, one leased and four ves sels of the International Navigation Com pany, the St. Paul, St. Louis, New York and Pari3, were char tered. In addition to - these, the Revenue cutters and lighthouse tenders were turned over to the navy department and became temporarily a part of the aux iliary navy, lue maximum effective fight ing force of the navy during the war, sep arated into classes, was as follows: Four battle-ships of the first class, 1 battle-ship of the second class, 2 armored cruisers, 6 coast-defense monitors, 1 ar mored ram, 12 protected cruisers, 3 unpro tected cruisers, 18 gunboats, 1 dynamite cruiser, 11 torpedo-boats, 14 old vessels of the old navy. Including monitors. Auxiliary cruisers 28 converted yachts, 27 converted tugs, 19 converted colliers, revenue cutters, 4 lighthouse tenders and 19 miscellaneous vessels. Much alarm was felt along the entire Atlantic seaboard lest an attack might be made by the enemy. Every precaution was taken to prevent possible Injury to our great cities lying along the coast Temporary garrisons were provided, drawn from the state militia and Infantry, and light batteries were drawn from the volun , teer force. About 12,000 troops were thus employed. The coast signal service was established for observing the approach of an enemy's ships to the coast of the Unit ed States and the lighthouse service co operated, which enabled the navy depart ment to have all portions of the Atlantic coast from Maine to Texas under observa tion, r ' The auxiliary navy was created under the authority of congress, and was offi cered and manned by the naval militia of the several states. This organization pa trolled the coast and performed the duty of a second arm of defense. 1 Defense of the Coast Line. Under the direction of the chief engi neer, submarine mines were placed at the most exposed points. Before the war permanent mining casemates and cable galleries' had been placed in all important harbors.'' Most of the torpedo material was not to be found in the market, and had to be specially manufactured. Under date of 'April 1, district officers were di rected to take all preliminary measures, "short of the actual attaching of the load ed mines to the cable, and on April 22 telegraphic orders were issued to place the loaded mines in position. The aggregate number of mines placed was 1355, at the principal harbors from Maine to Califor nia. Preparations were also made for the planting of mines at certain other harbors, but owing to the early destruction of the' Spanish fleet the mines were not placed. The signal corps was promptly organ ized and performed service of the most difficult and important character. Its operations during the war covered the electrical connection of all coast fortifica tions, the establishment of telephonic and telegraphic facilities-at camps at Manila, at Santiago and in Porto Rico. There were constructed 300 miles of -line at 10 great camps, - thus facilitating military move ments from those points In a manner here tofore unknown In military administration- Field telegraph lines were estab-. lished and maintained under the enemy's fire at Manila and later the . Manila- Hong Kong cable was reopened. In Porto Rico, cable communication was opened over a discontinued route, and on land the purposes of commanding -officers were kept in telegraphic and telephonic communication with the division com manders on four different lines of oper ations. There was placed In Cuban waters a completely outfitted cable ship with war cables and cable gear suitable both for the destruction of communications be longing to the enemy and the establish ment of our own. Two ocean cables were destroyedV under the enemy's batteries at Santiago. The day previous to the land ing of General Shatter' s corps at Cal-i maiiera, within 20miles of the landing place, cable communication was estab lished and a cable station opened, giving direct communication with the govern ment at Washington. This service was Invaluable to the executive in directing the operations of the army and navy. With a total force of over 1300, the loss was by disease in camp and field, officers and men included, only five. The national defense fund of $50,000,000 was expended in large part by the army and the navy, and the objects for which it was used are fully shown in the reports of the several secretaries. It was a most timely appropriation, enabling the government to strengthen its defenses and to make preparations greatly needed . in case of war. This fund being inadequate to the requirements of equipment and for the conduct of the .war, the patriotism of congress provided the means in the war revenue act of June 13 by authorizing a 3 per cent popular loan, not to exceed $400,000,001, and by levying additional Im posts and taxes. Of the authorized loan, $200,000,000 was offered and promptly taken, the subscriptions so far exceeding the call as to cover it many times over. While preference was given to the small er bids, no single allotment exceeded $5000. This was a most encouraging and significant result, showing the vast rex sources of the nation and the determina tion of the people to uphold their coun. try's honor. . . PROGRESS OF THE CONFLICT. Brilliant Series of Victories American Arms. for It Is not within the province of this message to narrate the, history of the extraordinary war that followed the Spanish declaration of April 21, but a brief recital of Its more salient features is appropriate. The first encounter of the war in point of date took place April 27,- when a detachment of the blockading squadron made a reconnoissance In force at Matanzas, shelled the harbor fortitica- tions and demolished several new works in . construction. Dewey at Manila. The next engagement was destined to mark a memorable epoch in maritime war fare. The Pacific fleet, under Commo dore George Dewey, had lain for some weeks at Hong Kong.-. Upon the colonial proclamation of neutrality being' issued and the customary 24 hours' notice being given, it repaired to Mirs bay, near Hong Kong, whence it proceeded to the Philip pine islands under telegraphic orders to capture or destroy the formidable Span-1 ish fleet then assembled at Manila. At daybreak on May 1 the American force entered Manila bay, and after a few hours engagement effected the total destruction of the Spanish fleet, consisting of 10 war ships and a transport, besides capturing the naval station and forts at Cavlte, thus annihilating the Spanish naval power in the Pacific ocean and completely control ling the bay of Manila, with the ability to take the city at will. Not a life was lost on our ships, the wounded number ing only seven, while not a vessel was, materially injured. For , this gallant achievement congress, upon my recom mendation; fitly bestowed upon the actors preferment and substantial reward. ' The effect of this remarkable victory upon the spirit of our people and upon the fortunes of the war was Instant. A prestige of invincibility thereby attached to our arms which continued throughout the struggle. Reinforcements were hurried to Manila under the command of Major-Gen-eral Merritt and firmly established within sight of the capital which lay helpless be fore our guns. On the 7th day of May the government was advised officially of the victory at Manila, and at once inquired of the commander of our fleet what troops were required. The Information was re ceived on the 15th day of May, and the first army expedition sailed May 25 and arrived at Manila June 30. Other expedi tions soon followed, the total force con sisting of 641 officers and 15,058 men. No Divided Victory. Only reluctance to cause needless loss of life and property prevented the early storming and capture of the city, and therewith the absolute military occupation of the whole group. The insurgents, meanwhile, had resumed the active hos tilities suspended by the uncompleted truce of December, 1S97. Their forces in vested Manila on the northern and east ern side, but were constrained by Admiral Dewey and General Merritt from attempt ing an assault. It was fitting that what ever was to be done In the way of de c'dve operations in that quarter should be accomplished by the strong arm of the United States alone. Obeying the stern precept of war, which enjoins the overcoming of the adversary and the -extinction erf his power wherever assailable as the speedy and sure means to win a peace, divided victory was not permissible, for no partition of the rights and responsibilities attending the enforce ment of a Just and advantageous peace could be thought of. Following the adoption of a comprehen sive scheme of general attack, powerful forces were assembled at various points ou our coast to invade Cuba and Porto Rico. Meanwhile, naval demonstrations were made at several exposed points. May 11 the cruiser Wilmington and torpedo-boat Winslow were unsuccessful in an attempt to silence the batteries at Cardenas, In Matsnzas, Ensign Worth Bagley and four seaman falling. These grievous fatalities were strangely enough among the very few which occurred during our- naval operations in this extraordinary conflict. Meanwhile, the Spanish naval prepara tions had been pushed with great vigor. A powerful squadron under Admiral Cer vera, which had assembled at the Cape Verde Islands before the beginning of hos tilities, had crossed the Atlantic ocean and by its erratic movements in the Caribbean sea delayed our military operations, while baffling the pursuit of our fleets. For a time fears were felt lest the Oregon and Marietta, then, nearing home after their long voyage from San Francisco of over 15.000 miles, might be surprised by Admiral Cervera's fleet, but their fortunate arrival dispelled the apprehensions and lent much needed reinforcements. Not until Admiral Cervera took refuge in the harbor of Santiago de Cuba, about May 9, wag it practicable to plan a systematic military attack upon the Antillean possessions of Spain. Several demonstrations occurred on the coast of Cuba and Porto Rico In prepara tion for the larger event. On May 13 the North Atlantic squadron shelled San Juan de Porto Rico. On May 30 Commodore Schley's squadron bombarded the forts guarding the mouth of Santiago harbor. Neither attack had any material result. It was evident that, well-ordered land opera tions were Indispensable to achieve a de cided advantage. . , Hobson'a Heroism. The - next "act ' in the war thrilled not alone the- hearts of our countrymen, but the -world;--.by its exceptional heroism. On the night of June 3 Lieutenant. Hob son, aided by. seven devoted volunteers, blocked the narrow outlet from Santiago harbor by sinking, the collier Merrlmac in the channel under a fierce fire from, the 6hore batteries, escaping with their lives' , as by -a miracle, but falling into the hands of the Spaniards. It is a most grat ifying incident of the war that the brav ery ofxthis little band of heroes was cor dially appreciated by the Spaniards, who -sent a- flag., of truce to notify Admiral Sampson of ""their safety and to compli ment, them upon, their daring act.' They were subsequently exchanged, July 7. :. By June 7 the cutting of the last Cuban cable isolated the island. Thereafter the invasion was vigorously prosecuted. ' June 10, Tinder a heavy protecting fire, a land ing force of 600 marines from the Oregon, Marblehead and Yankee was effected at Guantanamo bay, where it had been de termined to establish a cable station.-This important and essential port was taken from the enemy after severe fighting by the marines, who were the first organized force of the United States to land in Cuba. The position so won was held, despite the desperate attempts to dislodge our forces. By June 16 additional forces were landed and strongly intrenched. June 22 the advance, of the invading army under Major-General Shatter landed at Daiquiri, about 15 miles east of Santi. ago. This was accomplished under great difficulties, but with marvelous dispatch. On June 23 the movement against Santiago was begun. On the 21th the first serious engagement took place In which the First and Tenth cavalry and the First volunteer cavalry. General Toung's brigade of General Wheeler's division, participated, losing heavily. - By nightfall, however, ground within five miles of Santiago was won. The advantage was steadily increased. On July 1 a severe battle took place, our forces gaining the outer works of Santiago, and El Caney and San Juan were taken after a desperate charge, and the invest ment of the city was. completed. The navy co-operated by shelling the town and the coast forts. Destruction of the Armada.' On the day following this brilliant achievement of our land forces, July 3, occurred the decisive naval combat of the war. The Spanish fleet, attempting to leave the harbor, was met by the Ameri can squadron under command of Commo dore Sampson. In less than three hours all the Spanish ships were destroyed. Two torpedo-boats were sunk and the Ma ria Teresa, Almirante Oquendo, Vizcaya and Cristobal Colon were driven ashore.. The Spanish admiral and over 1300 men were taken prisoners. While the enemy's loss of life was deplorably large, some 200 perishing, on our side but one man was killed and one man seriously wounded. Although our ships were repeatedly struck, not one was seriously injured. The men also ' conspicuously distinguished them selves, from the commanders to the gun ners and the unnamed heroes in the boiler-rooms, each and all contributing toward the achievement of this astound ing victory, for which neither ancient nor modern history affords a parallel in the completeness of the event and the marvel ous disproportion of casualties. It would be invidious to single out any for special honor. Deserved promotion has rewarded the mere conspicuous actors the nation's profoundest gratitude is due to all of those brave men who by their skill and devo tion In a few short hours crushed the sea power of Spain and wrought a triumph whose decisiveness and far-reaching ef fects can scarcely be measured. Nor can we be. unmindful of the achievements of our builders, mechanics and artisans for their skill in the construction of our war ships. With the catastrophe of Santiago, Spain's effort upon the ocean virtually ceased. A spasmodic effort toward the end of June to send her Mediterranean ffeet, under Admiral Camara, to relieve Manila was abandoned, the expedition be ing recalled after it had passed through the Suez canal. Surrender of Snntlnpro. , The capitulation of Santiago followed. The city was closely besieged by land, while the entrance of our ships into the harbor cut off all relief on that side. After a truce to allow of the removal of the noncombatants, protracted negotiations continued from July 3 until July 15, when, under menace of Immediate assault, the preliminaries of surrender were agreed upon. On the 17th General Shatter occu pied the city. The capitulation embraced the entire eastern end of Cuba. The num ber of Spanish soldiers surrendered was 22,000, all of whom were subsequently con veyed to Spain at the charge of the United States. The story- of this success ful campaign is told in the report pf the secretarv of war which will be laid be- . fore vou. The Individual valor of officers and sol diers was never more strikingly shown than in the several engagements leading to the surrender of Santiago, while tne prompt movements and successive victo ries won Instant and universal applause To those who gained this complete tri umph which established the ascendency of the United States upon land as the fight off Santiago had fixed our supremacy on the seas, the earnest and lasting gratitude of the nation is unsparingly due. Nor should we alone remember the gallantry of the living; the dead claim our tears, and our losses by battle and disease must cloud any exultation at the result and teach us to weigh the awful cost of war, however rightful the cause or however signal the victory. Invasion of Porto Rico. With the fall of Santiago, the occupa tion of Porto Rico became the next strat egic necessity. General Miles had pre viously been assigned to organize an ex pedition for that purpose. Fortunately, he was already at Santiago, where he had arrived on the 11th of July with reinforce ments for Gtneral Shatter s army. With these troops, consisting of 3415 infantry and artillery, two companies of engineers and one company of the signal corps, Gen eral Miles left Guantanamo July 21, hav ing nine transports convoyed by the fleet under Captain Higgmson, wltn tne Mas sachusetts (flagship), Dixie, Gloucester, Columbia and Yale, the two latter carry ing troops. Tho expedition landed at Guanica, July 25, which port was entered with little opposition. Here the fleet was joined by the Annapolis and Wasp, while the Puritan and Amphltrite went to Han Juan and joined the New Orleans, which was engaged in blockading that port. Tha major-general commanding was subse quently reinforced by General Schwann's brigade of the Third army corps, by Gen eral Wilson with a part of his division, and also by General Brooke, with a part of his corps, numbering in all 16,873 officers and men. On July 27 he entered Ponce, one of. the most important .points in the island, from which he thereafter directed operations for the capture of the island. -With the exception of encounters with the enemy at Guayama, - Hermlguerez, Coamo and Yauco, and an attack on a force landed at Cape San Juan, there was no serious resistance. The campaign was prosecuted with great vfgor, and by the 12th of August much of the island was In our possession, and the acquisition of the remainder was only a matter of a short time. At most of the points in the island our troops were enthusiastically welcomed. Protestations of loyalty to the flag and gratitude for delivery from Spanish rule met our commanders at every stage. As a potent influence toward peace, the outcome of the Porto RIcan expedition Is due to those who participated in it. . Last Battle of the War. The last scene of the war was enacted at Manila, Its starting place. . On August 15, after a brief assault upon the works by the land forces, in which the squadron assisted, the capital surrendered uncondl- -iionally. The casualties were compara tively f ew. By this conquest of the PhUV ' lppine islands, virtually accomplished: when the Spanish capacity for resistanoa was destroyed by Admiral Dewey's vic tory of the first of May, the result of tha war was formally sealed. To General Merritt, his officers and men, for their un complaining and devoted services, for their gallantry in action, the nation is sincerely grateful. Their long voyage was mada with singular success, and the soldierly conduct of the men, of whom many were without previous experience In the mili tary service, deserves unmeasured praise. Total Casualties. The- total casualties in killed and wound ed in the army during the war was as fol- . lows: Officers killed, 23; enlisted, men killed, ;' 257; total, 2S0; officers wounded, 113; en listed men wounded, 1464; total, 1577. - Of the navy, killed, 17; wounded, 67; "ajed as result of wounds, 1; Invalided front service, 6; total, 91, . . . 1 1 will be observed that while our navy was engaged in two great battles and in , numerous --perilous undertakings in the blockadesXarid bombardments, and mora -than 50,000 of spur' troops were transported to distant land and engaged in assault and siege and llattJeV.nd many skirmishes in unfamiliar terribafyL we lost in both arms of the service aNjfotal of 1668 killed and wounded, and in thesentire campaign by land and sea we did noVjose a gun or . a flag, or a transport or a shfv;yd, with the exception of the crew of . tire. Merrl mac, not a soldier or sailor waixtakeo prisoner. ... NT v . On August 7, 46 days from the dateO ' landing of General Shatters . army. -in , fllha arA 91 ,1 n .1 . --ii uuu i ua.d iiuui Lilts burrenuer 01 y flflntlbffn V. T T I ... .3 n 1 . . . .. u..,uc,v,, mo uuueu oLttLes troops com menced embarkation for home, and our .' entire force was returned to the United . States as early as August 24. They wero absent from the United States only two months. ' The Red Cross. : In this connection it is a pleasure for -me to mention in terms of cordial appro bation the timely and useful work of tha . American National Red Cross, both in relief measures preparatory to the cam--. palgns, in sanitary assistance at several . of the camps of assemblage, and, latere . . under the able and experienced leadership) vi. kuv iiivaiuKin ot ine society, .miss Ulara. - Barton, on the fields of battle and in tha - - --....f.-....., a, tins 1 .111 I 111 VUKtt. VVUlZllIlBi in conjunction with the ' government authorities and under'their sanction and approval, and with the enthusiastic co operation of many patriotic women and ; j--societies in the various states, the Red Cross has fully maintained its already : high reputation for Intense earnestness and ability to exercise the rioble purposes . of its organization, thus justifying tho confidence and support which it has .re ceived at the hands of the American peo ple. To the members and officers of this ' society, and all who aided them in their pnuantnropic worK, tne sincere ana last- . ing gratitude of the soldiers and the pub lic is due and is freely accorded. PEACE NEGOTIATIONS. Spain's Overtures for a Cessation ot Hostilities. . . The annihilation of Admiral Cervera's fleet, followed by the capitulation of San tiago, -having brought to the Spanish gov ernment a realizing sense of the hopeless ness of continuing a struggle now becom ing wholly unequal, it made overtures of peace through the French ambassador, who, with the assent of his government. . had acted as the friendly epresentativ; of Spain's interests during the war. On the 26th of July, M. Cambon presented a communication, signed by the Duke of 'Almodovar, the Spanish minister of state, . inviting .the United States to state tha . terms upon which It would be willing to- make peace. July 30, by a communication . addressed to the Duke of Almodovar, and . handed by M. Cambon, the terms of thia.- government were announced substantially in the protocol, afterwards signed. On August 10, the Spanish reply dated August 7 was handed by M. Cambon to the sec-: retary of state. It accepted ' uncondl- . tlonally the terms imposed as to Cuba, Porto Rico, and an island of the Ladrona group, but appeared to seek to introduce inadmissible reservations in regard to our demand as to the Philippines. Conceiving that discussion on this point could neither be practicable nor profitable. directed that, in order to avoid mis understanding, the matter should be forthwith closed by proposing the em bodiment in a formal protocol of the terms in which the negotiations for peace " were undertaken. The vague and inex- Dlicit suggestions . of the' Spanish note could not be accepted, the only reply be- , . . 1 .,1i(,v.n turn a. ing to present as a virtual ultimatum a draft of the protocpl, embodying the pre cise terms tendered to Spain in our note of July 30, which added stipulations of details as to the appointment of com- : mlssioners to arrange for the evacuation of the Spanish Antilles. On August 12. M. Cambon announced his receipt of full powers to sign the protocol as submitted. ' Term of the Protocol. Accordingly, on the afternoon of August . 12, M. Cambon as the plenipotentiary of Spain and the secretary of state, as tha -plenipotentiary of the United States, signed the protocol providing: "Article 1. Spain will relinquish all claim of sovereignty over and iltle to Cuba. "Article 2. Spain will cede to the United States the island of Porto Rico and other islands now under Spanish sovereignty in the West Indies, and also an island in the Ladrones to be selected by the United ' States. "Article 3. The United States will occu py and hold the city, bay and harbor of Manila, pending the conclusion of a treaty of peace, which shall determine the con trol, disposition and government of the Philippines." The fourth article provided for tha ap pointment of Joint commissions on tha part of the United States and Spain to ' meet in Havana and San Juan, respective ly, for the purpose of arranging and car rying out the details of the stipulated evacuation of Cuba, Porto Rico and other Spanish islands in the West Indies. The fifth article provided for the ap pointment of not more than five commis sioners on each side to meet at Pans not later than October 1, and to proceed to the negotiation and conclusion of a treaty of .peace, subject to ratification ac cording to the respective constitutional forms of the two countries. The sixth and last article provides that , upon the signing of the protocol, hostili ties between the two countries shall ba suspended, and that notice to that effect should be given as soon as possible by each government to the commanders of its naval forces. - '.,.... Immediately upon the conclusion of tha protocol, I issued the proclamation of Au gust 12, suspending hostilities on the part nf tho United States. The necessary or-. ders to that end were at once given by tel- ' egraph. The blockade or tne ports oi v-u-ba and of San Juan de Porto Rico was in like manner raised, on August ia, " muster-out of 100,000 volunteers, or as near that number as was found to be practica ble, was ordered. On December 1, 101,655 of flpprfl and men had been mustered out and discharged from the service; 9002 more wia be mustered out by the lutn or tne monm; also a corresponding number of generals and general staff officers have been hon- . orably discharged from the service. The military commissions to superintend the evacuation of Cuba, Porto Rico and the adjacent Islands were forthwith ap pointed: For Cuba MaJor-Gneral James rv Wade, Rear-Admiral William T. Sampson.