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.