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PART TWO.
THE PRESIDENT TO CONGRESS.
Ills MESSAGE GIVES V HISTORY OF
THE AVAH WITH SPAIN.
Except With Spain Our Foreign Re
lations Have Been Pleasant—Mat
ter* Relating to New Pomemioii*
I, t .ft to Congress—Hei'oinmcniU In
crease of tlie Army and Xavy—tur
reney Reform Needed I —Greenbacks
*■ lioil 1(1 Be Provided for—All De
partments Discussed,
l'he President’s annual message to Con
gress, addressed to the Senate and House
of Representatives, was read in both
bod.ies to-day. The message is as follows:
Notwithstanding ihc added burdens ren
dered necessary by the war, our people
rejoice in a very satisfactory and stead
ily increasing degree of prosperity evi
denced by the largest volume of busi
ness ever recorded. Manufacture has
been productive, agricultural pursuits have
yielded abundant returns, labor in all
ite'.ds of industry is better rewarded, rev
enue legislation passed by the present
Congress has increased the treasury’s re
ceipts to the amount estimated by its au
-hors; the finances of the government have
■een successfully administered and its
credit advanced to the first rank; while
•is currency has been maintained at the
world’s highest standard. Military serv
ice under a common flag and for a r.ght
eous cause has strengthened the national
spirit and served to cement more closely
than ever the fraternal bonds between
every section of the country.
A review of the relation of the United
■Stales to other powers, always appropri
ate, in this year of primary importance
in view of the momentous issues which
ifave arisen, demanding in one instance
the nlrimate determination by arms, and
involving 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
■>f 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
then called upon to deal. The consider
ations then advanced, and the exposition
of the views therein expressed, disclosed
my sense of the extreme gravity of the
situation. Setting aside, as logically un.
founded or practically inadmissible, the
recognition of the Cuban insurgents as
belligerents, the recognition of the inde
pendence of Cuba, neutral intervention to
end the war by imposing a rational com
promise between the contestants, interven
tion in favor of one or the other party
and forcible annexation of the island, I
concluded it was honestly due to our
friendly relations with Spain that 6he
should be given a reasonable chance to
realize her expectations of reform to which
she had become irrevocably committed.
Within a few weeks previously she had
announced comprehensive plans which it
was confidently asserted would be effica
cious to remedy the evils so deeply affect
ing our own country, so injurious to the
true interests of the mother country as
well as to those of Cuba, and so repug
nant to the universal sentiment of hu
manity.
The ensuing month brought little sign of
real progress toward the pacification of
Cuba. The autonomous administrations
set up In the capital and some of the prin
cipal cities appeared not to gain the favor
of the inhabitants nor to be able to ex
tend their influence to the large extent of
territory held by the insurgents, while the
military arm, obviously unable to cope
with the still active rebellion, continued
many of the most objectionable ar,d offen
sive policies of the government that had
preceded it. No tangible relief was af
forded the vast numbers of unhappy recon
cpntrados, despite the reiterated profes
sions made in that regard and the amount
appropriated by Spain to that end. The
proffered expedient of zones of cultivation
proved Illusory; indeed, no less practical
nor more delusive promises of succor could
well have been tendered to the exhausted
and destitute people, stripped of ail that
made life and home dear, and herded in
a strange region among unsympathetic
strangers, hardly less necessitous than
themselves.
By the end of December the mortality
mong them had frightfully increased.
Conservative estimates from Spanish
sources placed the deaths among these dis
tressed people at over 40 per cent, from
•he time Gen. Weyler’s decree of recon
eemration was enforced. With the ac
quiescence of the 3panish authorities a
scheme was adopted for relief by charit
able contributions laised in this 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
ten of strategic result, that had marked
the course of the earlier ten years’ re
bellion, as well as the present insurree
’•on from its start. No alternative save
physical exhaustion by either combatant,
and therewithal the practical ruin of the
island, lay in sight, hut how far distant
no one could venture to conjecture.
Destruction of the Maine.
At this Juncture, on the 15th of February
last, occurred the destruction of the bat
• leship Maine, while rightfully tying in
the harbor of Havana on a mission of in
ternational courtesy and good will—a ca
tastrophe, the suspicious nature and horror
of which stirred the nation's heart pro
foundly. It is a striking evidence of the
Poise and sturdy good sense distinguish
ing,our national character, that this shock
ing blow, falling upon a generous people,
alteady deeply touched by preceding events
in Cuba, did not move them to alt Instant,
desperate reso.ve to tolerate no longer the
rxlstence of a condition of danger and dis
order at our doors that made possible such
a deed by whomsoever wrought. Yet, the
instinct of justice prevailed, and the nation
anxiously awalied the result of the search
ing Investigation at once set on foot. The
finding of ihe naval board of Inquiry e
• lblished that the origin of the explosion
was external by a submarine mine, and
only halted, through lack of positive testi
mony, to fix the responsibility of Its au
thorship.
Ail these things carried conviction to the
moat thoughtful, even I*:fore tire finding
of the naval court, thai a crisis In our re
lation* with flpaln and toward Cuba was
at hand. Ho strong was this belief that it
needed but a brief executive suggestion to
• lie f kmgre*s to receive immediate answer
tp the duty of making instant provision
for me possible, and, perhaps, tqsfedily
> •*
fpj t IMofittug
probable emergency of war; and the re
markable, almost unique, spectacle was
presented of a unanimous voie of both
houses on the 9th of March appropriating
Sc>O,(XO,CO3 “for the national defense and for
each and every purpose connected there-V
wi;h, and to expend at the discretion of
the President." That this act of provision
came none too soon was disclosed when
the application of the fund was under
taken. Our coasts were practically unde
fended, Our navy needed large provisions
for increased ammunit.on and sapplies,
and even numbers to cope with any sudden
attack fiom the Davy of Spain, which
comprised modern vessels of the highest
type of continental perfection. Our army
also required enlargement of men and
ammunition. The details of the hurried
preparation for the dreaded contingency
are told in the reports of the Secretaries
of War and Navy, and need not be re
peated here. It is sufficient to say that the
outbreak of war, when it did come, found
our nation r.ot unprepared to meet the
conflict.
Tlir Crisis Inevi.able.
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 en
voys, addressed to ihe executive an expres
sion of hope that humanity and modera
tion might mark the course of this gov
ernment and people, and that further ne
gotiations would lead to an agreement,
which, while securing the maintenance
peace, would afford all necessary guaran
tees for the re-establishment of or
der in Cuba. In responding to
that representation, I said I shared
the hope and envoys had expressed that
peace might be preserved in a manner to
terminate the chronic condition of disturb
ance in Cuba so Injurious and menacing
to our interests and tranquility, as well
as shocking to our sentiments of humanity;
and. while appreciating the humanitarian
and disinterested character of the com
munication they had made on behalf of
the Powers. I stated the confidence of this
government, for its part, that equal ap
preciation would be shown for earnest and
unselfish endeavors to fulfill a duty to
humanity by end:ng a situation the in
definite prolongation of which had become
insufferable.
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 object continued ac
tively with the government of Spain, look
ing to the immediate conclusion of a six
months’ armistice in Cuba, wiih a view
to effect the recognition of her people's
tight to independence. Besides this, the
instant revocation of the order of recon
centration was asked, so that the sufferers,
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 destioyed productive energies of the
island, contribute to the restoration of its
tranquility and well-being. Negotiations
continued for some little time at Madrid,
resulting in offers by the Spanish govern
ment which could not but be regarded as
inadequate. It was proposed to confide
the preparation of peace to the insular
government, yet to be convened under the
autonomous decrees of November, 1897,
but without impairment in any
wise of the constitutional powers
of the Madrid government, which
(o that end would grant an armistice if
solicited by the insurgents, for such time
as the generai-in-chief might see fit to
fix. How and with what scope of discre
tionary powers the Insular parliament was
expected to set abput the “preparation”
of peace did not appear. If It were to be
by negotiation with the insurgents, the
issue seemed to rest on the one side with
a body chosen by a fraction of the elect
ors in the districts under Spanish control,
and on the other with the insurgent pop
ulation holding the Interior country, un
represented in the so-called parliament,
and defiant at the suggestion of suing for
peace.
Placgd Before Congress.
Grieved and disappointed at this barren
outcome of my sincere endeavors to reach
a practicable solution, I felt it my duty
to remit the whole question to the Con
gress. In the message of April. 11, 1898, I
announced that with this last overture
in the direction of immediate peace in
Cuba, and its disappointing reception by
Spain, the effort of the executive was
brought to an end. I again reviewed the
alternative courses of action which had
been proposed, concluding that the only
one. consonant with internaiional policy
and compatible with our firm set histori
cal traditions, was intervention as a neu
tral to stop the war and cheek the hope
less sacrifice of life, even though that
resort involved “hostile constraint upon
both the parties to the contest, as well
to enforce a truce as to guide the event
ual settlement.” The grounds justifying
that stop were the interests of humanity;
the duty to protect the life and property
of our citizens In Cuba; the right to check
Injury to our commerce and people through
the devastation of the island, and. most
Important, the need of removing
at once and forever the constant
menace and the burdens entailed upon our
government by the uncertainties and perils
of the situation caused by the unendura
ble 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 sea
sons, but it has not been and It is plain
that it cannot be extinguished by present
methods. The only hope of relief and re
pose from a condition which can no longer
be endured Is the enforced pacification of
Cuba. In the name of humanity, in the
name,of civilization, in Itehnlf of endan
gered American interests, which give us
the right and the duty to speak and to
act, the war In Cuba must stop.”
In view of alt this, the Congress was
asked to use and empower the President
to take measures to secure a full and final
termination of hostilities ltetween Spain
and the people of Cuba and to secure in
the island the establishment of a stable
government, capable of maintaining order
and observing Its international obligations,
Insuring peace and tranquility and the se
curity of its citizens as well as our own,
and for the accomplishment of those ends
to use the military and naval torces of
the United States as might be necessary;
with added authority to continue generous
relief to the starving people of Cuba.
The Cuban Hestslotlon.
The response of the Congress, after nine
days of earnest d*.iteration, during which
the almost unanimous sentiment of your
body was developed on every point save as
to the expediency of coupling the proposed
action with a formal recognition of the
republic of Cuba 'he true and lawful
government of that lelmd-a proposition
which failed of adoption—the Cong res*
after conference, on April 19, by a vole
of 42 to 25, in the Biate and 211 to sin
SAVANNAH, GA.. TUESDAY. DECEMBER (1. ISOS'.
the House of Representatives, passed the
memorable Joint resolution declaring:
First, That the peop.e of the Island of
Cuba are, and of right ought to be. free
and independent.
Second, That it Is the duty of the United
Slates to demand, and ihe government of
•he United States does hereby demand,
that the government of Spain, at once re
linquish ils authority and government in
the Island of Cuba and withdraw its latfll
<\nd naval forces from Cuba and Cuban
waters.
Third. That the President of the United
States be. and he hereby is directed and
empowered to use the entire land and
naval forces of the United States and to
call into the actual service of the United
States the militia of the several states,
to such extent as may be necessary to
carry these resolutions into effect.
Fourth, Thar the United States hereby
disclaims any disposition or intention to
exercise sovereignty, jurisdiction, or con
trol over said island, except for the pacifi
cation thereof, and asserts its determina
tion when that is accomplished to leave
the government and control of the island
to Its people.
This resolution was approved by the
executive on tne next day, April 29. A
copy was at once communicated to the
Spanish minister ai this capital, who
forthwith announced that his continuance
in Washington had thereby become impos
sible, and asked for his passports, which
were given hlin. He thereupon withdrew
from Washington, leaving the protection
of Spanish interests in tile United States
to the French ambassador and the Aus
tro-Hungarian minister. Simultaneously
with its communication to the Spanish
minister here, Gen. Woodford, the Ameri
can minister at Madrid was telegraphed
confirmation of the text of the joint reso
lution and directed to communicate it to
the government of Spain, with the formal
demand that it at once relinquish its au
thority government in the Island of
Cuba and withdraw its forces therefrom,
coupling this demand with the announce
ment of the intentions of this government
as to the future of the island, in conform
ity With the fourth clause of the resolu
tion and giving Spain until neon of April
23 to reply.
The Declaration of War.
That demand, allhough as above shown,
officially made known to the Spanish en
voy here, was not delivered at Madrid.
After the instruction reached Gen. Wood
ford at Madrid, on the morning of April
21, bur. before he could present it, the
Spanish minister of state notified him that
upon the President's approval of the joint
resolution the Madrid government, regard
ing the act as “equivalent to an evident
declaration of war,” had ordered its min
ister in Washington to withdraw, thereby
breaking off diplomatic relations between
the two countries and ceasing ail official
communication between tlicir respeetiV' l
representatives. Gen. Woodford there
upon demanded his passports and quitted
Madrid the same day.
Spain having thus denied the demand or
the United Stales and Initiated that com
plete form of rupture of relations which
attends a state of war, the executive pow
ers authorized by the resolution were at
once used by me to meet the enlarged
contingency of actual war between sover
eign states. On April 22 I proclaimed a
blockade of the north coast of Cuba, in
cluding ports on said coast between Car
denas and Bahia Honda and the port of
Cienfuegos on the south coast of Cuba:
and on the 23d called for volunteers
to execute the purpece of the reso’ution.
By my message of April 25 the Congress
was informed of the situation, and I rec
ommended formal declaration of the ex
istence of a state of war between (ire
United States and Spain. The Congress
accordingly voted on the same day the
act approved April 23, 1898, declared 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 telegraph to all the govern
ments with which the United Stales main
tains relations, in order that, their neu
trality might be assured during the war.
The various governments responded with
proclamations of netlirality, each after its
own methods. It is not among the least
gratifying incidents of the struggle that
the obligations of neutrality were im
partially discharged by all, often under
delicate and difficult circumstances.
In further fulfillment of International
duty, I issued April 28, 1898, a proclamation
announcing the treatment proposed to be
acecorded to vessels and their cargoes a3
to blockade, contraband, the exercise of
right of search, and the immunity of neu
tral flags and neutral goods under ene
my’s flag. A similar proclamation was
made by the Spanish government. In the
conducting’of hostilities the rules of ihe
declaration of Paris, including absteniion
from resort to privateering, have accord
ingly been observed by both belligerents,
although neither was a party to that dec
laration;
Tlic Army and Navy.
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
insiant and complete, ns was also the re
sult of the second call of May 25, for 73,-
000 additional volunteers. The ranks of
the regular army were increased to the
limits provided by the act of April 2*5, 1898.
The eniisted force or the navy on the 15th
day of August, when it reached its max
imum, numbered 21,123 men and appren
tices. One hundred and three Vessels were
added to the navy by purchase, one was
presented to‘ the government, one leased
and the vessels of the international
navigation company, the St. Paul, St.
Louis, New York and Paris, 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 auxiliary navy.
The maximum effective fighting force of
the navy during the war separated Into
classes, was as follows: Four battleships
of the first class; one- battleship of the
second class; two armored cruisers;
six coast defense monitors; one armored
ram; twelve protected cruisers; three un
protected cruiser?; eighteen gunboats; one
dynamite cruiser; eleven torpedo boats;
vessels of the old navy Including monitors,
fourteen. Auxiliary navy: Eleven auxil
iary cruisers; twenty-eight converted
yachts, twenty-seven converted tugs; nine
teen converted colliers; fifteen reve
nue cutters; four lighthouse lenders,
and nine,een miscellaneous vessels.
Much alarm was felt along our entire
Atlantic seaboard lest some attack might
be made by ihe enemy. Every precaution
was taken to prevent possible injury to out
great cities lying along the coast. Tem
porary garrisons were provided, drawn
from the state militia; infantry and light
batteries were, drawn from the volunteer
force. About 12,000 troops were thus em
ployed. The coast signal service was es
tablished for observing the approach of
an enemy’s ships to the const of ihe United
Slates and the life saving and the light
house services co-operated, which enabled
the navy department to have all portions
of the Atlantic coast, from Maine to Tex
as. under observation.
The auxiliary navy was created under
the authority of Congress and was of
ficered and manned by the naval militia
of the several stales. This organization
patrolled the const and performed the duty
of a second line of defense.
Other lYnr I*repnrations.
Under the direction of the ehiet of en
gineers submarine mines were pificed at
tile most exposed poims. Before Ahe out
break of the war permanent mining case
mates-ami cable galleries had been con
structed at nearly all important harbors.
Most ot' the torpedo material was not to
he found in tile market and hud to bo spe
cially manufactured.
Under date of April 19. district officers
were directed to take preliminary meas
ures, short of the actual attaching of the
loaded mines to the cables, and on April
22, telegraphic orders were issued to place
the loaded mines in position.
The aggregate number of mines placed
was 1.535, at the principal harbors from
Maine to California. The preparations
were also made for Ihe planting of mines
at certain other heritors, but owing to the
early destruction of the Spanish fleet these
mines were not placed.
The signal corps was promptly organiz
ed und performed service of the most Git -
flcult and important character. Its opera
tions during the war covered ihe electrical
connection of all coast fortifications, the
establishment of telephonic and
telegraphic facilities for the camps at Ma
nila, Santiago and in Porto Rico. There
were constructed 300 miles of line at ten
great camps, thus facilitating military
movements from these points in a man
ner heretofore unknown in military admin
istration. Fie.d tel graph lines were es
tablished and maintained under the ene
my's fire at Manila and l iter the Mnniia-
Hong Kong cable was reopened.
in Porto Rico table communications were
opened after a discontinued route, und on
land the headquarters of the commanding
officer was kept In telegraphic or tele
phonic exmimunioation with the division
commanders on four different lines of op
erations.
There was placed in Cuban waters a
completely ourflttd cable ship, with war
cables and cable gear, suitable botli for
the destruction of communications belong
ing to the enemy anil the establishment
of our own. Two ocetn cables were de
stroyed under the enemy s batteries at San
tiago. The day previous to the landing of
Gen. Shatter’s corps at Caimanera witnin
twenty miles of the landing place, cable
communications were established and n
cable station opened, giving direct com
munication with the government at Wash
ington. . T‘il s.-rvi. c tCaa .tnvaUiabV to
the executive in directing the operations
of the army and navy. With a total force
of over 1.300 the loss was by disease in
camp and field, officers and men included,
only five.
The national defense fund of 250,000,009
was expended in laige part by the army
and navy and the objects for which it
was used are fully shown in the reports
of the several secretaries. It Was a most
time.y appropriation, enabling the govern
ment to strengthen its defenses and make
preparations greatly needed In ease of war.
This fund being inadequate to the re
quirements of equipment and for the con
duct of the war, the patriotism of Con
gress provided the means In the war reve
nue act of June 13 by authorizing a 3 per
oenf. popular loan not to exceed $400,000,000,
and by levying additional imports and
taxes. Of the authorized loon, $209.000.009
was offered and promptly taken, the sub
scriptions so far exceeding the call as to
cover it many times over, while prefer
ence being given to the smaller bids, no
single allotment exceeded $5,000. This was
a most encouraging and significant result,
showing the vast resources of the nation
and the determination of Ihe [>eople to up
hold their country’s honor.
Salient Features of the War.
It is not within tlie province of this mes
sage to narrate the history of tne extra
ordinary war that followed the declara
tion of April 21, but a brief recital of Its
more salient features Is appropriate.
The first encounter of the wur In point
of date took place April 27, when a de
tachment of the blockading squadron made
a reconnoissance in force at Matanzas,
shelled the harbor fort* and demolished
several new works in construction.
The next engagement was destined .o
rp irk a memorable epoch ill maritime war
fare. The Pacific fiwTT under Commodore
George Dewi y, had lain for some* weeks
at Hong Kor.g. Upon the colonial proc
lamation of neutrality being issued and
ihe customary twenty-four hours’ notice
being given, it repaired to Mirs bay. near
Hong Kong, whence it proceeded to the
Philippine Isianfis under te.rgraphed or
ders to capture or destroy the formidable
Spanish fleet then assembler] at Manila.
At daybreak on the first of May the Amer
ican force entered Manila bay, und, after
a few hours’ engagement, effected the
total destruction of the Spanish fleet, con
s.sting of ten warships and a transport,
besides capturing the naval station at
Cavite, thu.s annihilating the Spanish na
val power in the Pacific ocean and com
pletely controlling the bay of Manila, with
the ability to take the city at will. Not
a life was lost on our ships, the wounded
only numbering seven, while not a vessel
was injured. For this gallant achievement
tiie Congress, upon my recommendation,
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 hur
ried to Manila, under the command of
Maj. Gen. Merritt, and firmly established
within sight of the capital. Which lay help
less before our guns.
On th£ 7th day of May the government
was advised officially of the victory at
Manila, and at once Inquired of the com
mander of our fleet what troops would
Ire required. The information was receiv
ed on the 15th day of May, and the first
army expedition sailed May 23, and arriv
ed ofT Manila June 30. Other expeditions
soon followed, the total force cuiiststlng
of C4l officers and 15.018 enlisted m. n.
Only reluctance to cause needless lo*
of life prevented lh<- early storming and
capture of the city, and therewith the ab
solute military occupancy of the whol<
group. The insurgents, meanwhile, had
resumed the active hostilities suspended
by lit.- uncompleted truce of December
1897. Their fotces invested Manila from
the northern und eastern side, but was
constrained by Admiral Dewey und Gen.
Merritt from attempting an assault. It
was fitting that whatever was to he done
in the way of decisive operations in that
quarter should be accomplished by the
strong atm of the United States alone.
Obeying the stern precept of war which
enjoins the overcoming of the adversary
and ihe extinction of his power, wherever
assailable, as the speedy and sure means
to win a peace, divided victory was not
permissible, for no partition of ihe rights
and responsibilities attending the' enforce
ment of a just and advantageous t>eaoe
could be thought of. Following the com
prehensive scheme of general attack, pow
erful forces were assembled ut various
points on our coast to Invade Cuba and
Rorto Rico. Meanwhile, naval demonstra
tions were made at several expected
points.
On May 11, the cruiser Wilmington and
torpedo boat Winslow were unsuccessful
in an attempt to silence the batteries at
Cardenas, a gallant ensign, Worth Bag
ley, and four seam it, falling. Those griev
ous fatalities were, strangely enough,
among the very few which occurred dur
ing our naval operations in this extraor
dinary conflict.
Movement of the Spanish Fleet.
Meanwhile, the Spanish naval prepara
tions had been pusfled with great vigor.
A powerful sqttaaron, under Admiral or.
vera, which had assembled at ihe Cape
Verde Islands before the outbreak of hos
tilities, had cross* and the ocean, and by Us
erratic movements in the* Caribbean sea,
delayed our military plans, while battling
the pursuit of our fleets. For a time
fears were felt lest the Or
egon and Marietta, then nearing
home after iheir long voyage from San
Francisco of over 15,1100 miles, might be
surprised by Admiral Oervera’s fleet, but
their fortunate arrival dispelled these ap
prehensions and lent much needed rein
forcement. Not until Admiral Fervent
look refuge in tile harbor of Santiago de
Cuba, about May 19, was It practicable to
p un a systematic naval and militia attack
upon the Antillean possession of Spain.
Several demonstrations occurred ort the
coasts of Cuba and I’orto Hlco itt pre
paration for the larger event. On May 13
Ihe North Atlantic squadron shelled San
Juan de Porto Rico. On May 39, Commo
dore Schley’s squadron .bombarded the
forts guarding the month of Santiago har
bor. Neither attack had any material re
sult. It was evident that well ordered
land operations were Indispensable to
achieve a decisive advantage.
Hobson's Heroic Deed.
The next act in the war thrilled not
alone the hearts of our countrymen, tail
the world by Its exceptional heroism. On
the night of June 3, Lieut. Hobson, aided
by seven devoted volunteers, blocked the
narrow outlet from Santiago harbor by
sinking (he collier Merrimac in the chan
nel, under a fierce fire from the shore bat
teries, escaping with their lives as by a
tn(ratle, but falling into the hands of the
Spaniards. Il is a most gratifying Inci
dent of the war thai the bravery of this
little band of heroes was cordially ap
preciated by the Spanish admiral, who
sent a flag of truce to notify Admiral
Sampson of their safety, and to comijll
ment them on their during net. They
were subsequently exchanged July 7.
By June 7 the cutting of the last Cuban
cable isolated the island. Thereafter tlie
invasion was vigorously prosecuted. On
June 10, under a heavy protecting lire, u
landing of *OO marines from the Oregon,
Marblehead and Yankee was effected in
Guantanamo bay, where it had been de
termined to establish a ituvul station.
This Important and essential port was
taken from Ihe enemy after severe fight
ing by the marines, who were the first
organized force of the United States to
land in Cuba.
The position so won was held despite
desperate attempts to dislodge our forces.
By June 16 additional forces were landed
ands rongly entrenched. On June 22 the
advance of Ihe invading army, under Maj.
Gen. Shafter, landed nt Daiquiri, about
fifteen miles east of Santiago. This was
accomplished under great difficulties, but
w(jh marvelous dispatch. On June 23 the
movement ngulnst Santiago was begun. On
the 24th rite firs; serious engagement took
place, in which the First and Tenth Cav
alry and the First United States Volunteer
Cavalry, Gen. Young's brigade of Gen.
Wheeler’s division, participated, losing
heavily. By nightfall, how ver. ground
within five miles of Santiago was won.
The advantage was steadily increased. On
July 1 a severe battle took pace, our forces
gaining the outworks of Santiago; on the
2d, Ei Caney and San Juan w< re taken,
after a desperaie charge, and the Invest
ment of the city was completed. The
navy co-operated by shelling the town
and the toast forls.
' Tlie Brilliant Yiunl Victory,
On the following morning this brilliant
achievement of our land forces, the 3d of
July, occurred the decisive naval combat
of the war. The Spanish fleet, uttempling
to leave the harbor, was met by the Amer
ican squadron under command of Commo
dore Sampson. In less than three hours
ail ihe Spanish -'hips were destroyed, tin*
two torpedo boats being sunk, und the
Marla Teresa, Almlrante Oquendo. Viz
caya and Cristobal Colon driven ashore.
The Spanish admiral and over 1,300 men
were lakett prisoners while the enemy’s
loss of life was deplorably large, some 600
perishing. On our side, but one man was
killed, on the Brooklyn, and one man se
riously wounded. Although our ships were
repeatedly struck, not one was seriously
injured. Where oil so conspicuously dis
tinguished themselves, from the command
ers to the gunnets and the unarmed heroes
in the boiler rooms, each und ail contribut
ing toward the achievement of this as
tounding victory, for which neither ancient
nor modern history affords n parulle] In
the compleieness of the event, and the
marvelous disproportion of casualties, It
would be Invidious to single out any for
special honor. Deserved promotion has re
warded the more conspicuous actors—the
nations profoundest gratitude is tiue to all
of these brave men who by their skill and
devotion in a few short hours crushed the
sea power of Spain and wrought a triumph
whose decisiveness and far-reaching con
sequences can scarcely be measured. Nor
can we be unmindful of the achievements
of our builders, mechanics und artl-ans
for their skill In the construction of our
warships.
With the catastrophe of Santiago,
Spain's .effort upon the oerjn virtually
ceased. A spasmodic effort toward the
.•nd of June to send Vr Mediterranean
fleer, tinder Admiral Camara, to relieve
Manila, was abandoned, tin fltet being
recalled after It had passed through the
Suez canal.
The caplliation of Santiago follow* and.
The city was closely besieged by land,
while the entrance of our ships Into the
harbor cut off all relief on that sldt Aft
er a truce to allow of the ttmov tl of non
combatant*, protracted negotiation* con-
tlnued from July 3 until July 35, when,
under mi naoe of immediate assault, the
preliminaries of surrender wire agreed
upon. On the 17th (ten. Shatter occupied
the city. The capitulation embraced the
entire eastern end of Cuba. The numlrer
of Spanish soldiers surrendered was 22,-
000, all of whom were subsequently con
vryed to Spain ut the charge of the t'nited
States. The story of this successful cam
paiKii is told In the report of the Secre
tary of War, which will bo laid before
you. The Individual valor of oflleets and
soldiers was never more strikingly shown
than In the several engagements 1 ailing
to the surrender of Santiago, while the
prompt movements and successive victo
ries won Instant and universal applause.
To those who gained this complete tri
umph, which established the .icendency
of the T’nited States u|Jon land, as the
fight off Santiago had fixed our suprema
i y on the seas, the earnest and Iristlng
gratitude of the nation Is unsparingly due.
Nor should we alone remember the gal
lantry of the living; th# dead claim onr
tears, and our losses by battle and di-ease
must cloud any exultation at the result,
and teach us to weigh the awful cost of
war, however rightful the cause or sig
nal the victory.
The I’ll I-111 It lean Kxpedlttou.
With the fall of Santiago, the occupation
of Potto Itlco became the next strsguic
necessity. Gen. Miles had previously been
assigned to organize an expedition for that
put pose. Fortunately, he was already at
Santiago, where he had atrlved on July
11. with reinforcements for Gen. Shatter’s
army.
With these troops, consisting ot 3,415 In
lantry and artillery, two companies of en
gine! rs and one company of the signal
eotps. Gen. Miles left Guantanamo on July
21, having nine transpor's conveyed by the
llert under Capt. Higglnson with the Mas
sachusetts (flagship), the Gloucester, the
Columbia and Yale, the two latter carry
ing the troop-. The expedition landed it
Giianiea July 25, which port was entered
with little opposition. Here the find was
joined by the Annapolis and the Wasp,
while the Puritan and Amphltrlte want to
San Juan and Joined the New Orleans,
which was engaged in blockading that
part. The major general commanding
was subsequently -reinforced by (Sen.
Schwan's brigade of the Third Army
Corps, by Gen. Wilson with a part of his
division and Gen. firooke with a part of
nis corps, numbering in all 16,973 officers
anil men.
On July 27 he entered Ponce, one of the
most Important |iorts In the Island, from
which he thereafter directed operations
for the capture of the island.
With the exception of encounters with
the enemy at Guayanu, Hormlgueros, Co
amo and Yaueo and an attack on a foreo
landed tit Caiie San Juan, there was no
serious resistance. The campaign was
prosecuted with great vigor, and by Aug
12 much of the Island was in our itosm s
sion and the acquisition of the remainder
was only the matter of u short time. At
most of the points In the Island our troops
were enthusiastically welcomed. Protesta
tions of loyalty to (he flag, anil gratitude
for delivery from Spanish rule met our
commanders at every stage.,. Asa potent
influence toward peace the outcome, of
the Porto Rican expedition was of groat
Importance unit generous commendation Is
due to those who participated in It,
The last scene of the war was enacted
at Manila, Its starting place. On Aug. 15,
after a brief assault upon tile works by
the land forces. In which the squadron as
sisted, the capital surrendered uncondi
tionally. The casualties were compara
tively few. By thin the conquest of the
Philippine Islunds, virtually accomplished
when the Spanish capacity for resistance
was destroyed by Adroltai Dewey's victory
of the Ist of May, was formally sealed.
To (Jen. Merritt, his othi ers and men for
their uncomplaining and devoted service,
and for their gallantry In action, the na
tion is sincerely grateful. Their long voy
age was made with singular success and
the soldierly conduct of the men, most of
whom were without previous experience In
the military service, deserves unmeasured
praise.
Killed anil Wounded In (lie War.
The total casualties In killed and wound
ed in the army during the war with Bpain
wire: Olllcers killed, 23; enlisted men
killed, 257; total, 280; officers wounded, 113;
enlisted men wounded. 1,464; totul, 1,557.
Of the navy: Killed. 17; wounded, 67; died
as result of wounds, 1; invalided from
service, 66; total, 91. It will be observed
that while our navy was engaged In two
great battles and In numerous perilous
undertakings in blockade and bombard
ment, aml more than 50.000 of our troops
were transported to distant lands and were
engaged in assault and siege and battle
and many skirmishes in unfamiliar ter
ritory, we lost In both arms of the ser
vice H total of 1.668 killed and wounded;
and In the entire campaign by land ami
sea we did not lose a gun or a flag or a
trunsijort or a ship, and with the exception
of the crew of the Merrimae, not a sol
dier or sailor was taken prisoner.
On Aug. 7, forty-six days from
the date of the landing
of Gen. Shafler’s army in Cuba anil twen
ly-one days from the surrender of Santi
ago the United States troops commenced
embarkation for home, and our entire
force was returned to the United States
as early as Aug. 24. They were absent
from the United States only two months.
It is fitting that I should hear testimony
to the patriotism and devotion of that
large portion of our army wnlch. although
eager to be ordered to the post of greatest
exposure, fortunately was not required
outside of the United States. They did
their whole duty, and, like their com
rades at the front have earned the grati
tude of the nation. In like manner the
officers and men of the army and of the
navy who remained In their departments
and stations, faithfully performing most
important duties connected with the w.tr,
and whose requests for assignment In the
field and at sea. I was compelled to re
fuse because their services were indis
pensable here, are entitled to the highest
commendation. It Is my regret that there
sums to be no provision for their suita
ble recognition.
Work of the Hed Cross.
in this connection, it is a pleasure for
mo to mention In terms of cordial appre
ciation the timely and useful woik of the
American National Red Cross, both in re.
l'ef measures preparatory to the campaign
In sanitary os si stance at several of the
camps of assemblage, and lat
er under the nble and experienced
leadership of the president of the society
Miss Clara Barton on the fields of bat
tle and in the hospl’als at the front In
Cuba. Working in conjunction with the
governmental authorities and under their
sanction and approval, and with the en
thusiastic co-ojieratlon of many patriotic
women und societies In the various states,
the Red Cross has fully maintained Its
PAGES 0 TO 12.
already high reputation for intense earns
ret ness anil ability to exercise the noble
purposes of its international organization,
thus justifying the confidence and support
which it has received at the hands of
the American people. To the members
and officers of this soriety. and all who
aided them In their philanthropic work,
tile sincere arid lasting gratitude of tho
soldier-- ami the public Is due and is freely;
accorded.
In tracing these events we are constant*
lv reminded of our obligations to the Di
vine Master for iris watchful care over
us und His safe guidance for which tie*
nation makes reverent acknowledgment!#
anil offers humble prayer for the eoutiit
uance of His favor.
Hoiv IVnt-e Was Itronglit lliout.
The annihilation of Admiral Cervera'S
tln-t, followed the capitulation ot!
Santiago, having brought to the Spanis!*
govern mi nt a realizing sense of the hope*
.essness of continuing a struggle now be.
come wholly unequal, It made overtures
of peuic through the Frencli ambassador,
who, with the assent of his government,
had acti <1 as the friendly representative
of Bp inish Interests during Die war. Oil
July 2ti ,M. <' imbon presented a communl*
cation • min'd by the Duke of Almodovar,
the Spanish minister of state. Inviting this
I idled Hint! - to state the terms uporl
watch it would lie w'illing to make peace,
On July 110. by u communication ad*
dressed to the Duke of Almodo*
vnr. and handed to M. Cambon,
the (runs of this government
w. rc announced, substantially as In this
protocol afterwards signed. On the 10t!
O! August, the Spanish reply was handed
by a.. < ambon. It accepted unconditfon*
ally the terms Imposed as to Cuba, Porto
Rico and an island in the group,
hut appeared to seek to Introduce tnad*
mtssable reservations In regard to our de
mmd as u> Hie Philippine Islands. Con
ceiving I hat discussion on this point could
neither lie practical nor profitable, I di
rected tiial [n order to avoid misunder
standing the matter should lie forthwith
closed by proposing the embodiment In m
formal protocol of the terms upon which
tin* negotiations for peace were to he un
dertaken. The vague and inexplicit sug
gestions of the Spanish note could not kM
accepted, llic only reply lieing to present
as a virtual ultimatum, a draft of protocol
embodying the precis,- terms tendered ti
Spain In our note of July 30, with added
stipulations of detail as to the appoint
ment of commissioners to arrange for the
evacuation of the Spanish Antilles, On
Aug. 12, U. Cambon, ns (he plenipotentiary
of Spain, and the Secretary of State, tig
the plenipotentiary of the United States,
signed a protocol providing:
Article 1. Spain will re.lnquUh all claim
of sovereignly over and title to Cuba.
Article 2. Spain will cede to the United
States the Island of l’orto Rico and other
Islands now under Spanish sovereignty iit
ihe West Indies, and also an Island In the
l.adrones, to Is- selected by the United
States.
Article 3. Tile United States will occupy
and hold the city, bay and hurbor of Ma
nila pending the conclusion of a treaty of
peace, which sha.l determine the control,
disposition and government of the Philip
pines.
The fourth article provided for the ap
pointment of joint commissioner!! on the
part of the United States and Spain to
meet In Havana and San Juan, respective
ly, for the purpose of arranging and carry
ing out the details of the stipulated evac
uation of Cuba, Porto Rico and other Span
ish Islands Jn me West Indies.
The fifth article provided for the ap
pointment of not more than five commis
sioners on each sldo to meet at Paris
not later than Oct. t, and to proceed to
the negotiation and conclusion of a treaty
of peace, subject to ratification according
to the respective constitutional form* ot
the two countries.
The sixth and last article provided thae
upon the signature of the protocol hostili
ties between the two countries should be
suspended, and that notice to that effect
should l>e given a soon as possible by
each government to the commanders nC
Us military and naval forces.
Immediately upon the conclusion of th*
protocol, I Issued a proclamation on Aug.
12, suspending hostilities on the part of tho
United States. The necessary order* la
that end were at once given by telegraph.
The blockade of live ports of Cuba and Sai*
Juan de Porto Rico was In like manner
raised. On the 18th of August, the muster
out of 100,060 volunteers, or as near thae
number as was found to be practicable,
was ordered.
On the Ist of December 101,165 officer*
and then had been mustered out and dir
charged from the service and 9,002 morn
will tie mustered out by the 10th of thi*
month. Also a corresponding number ofl
general and general staff officers have
been honorably discharged from the ser
vice.
U i neuu I tan fain missions.
The military commissions to superintend
the evacuation of Cuba, Porto Rico and
the adjacent Islands were forthwith ap
pointed: For (Tuba, MaJ. Gen. James F,
Wade, Rear Admiral William T. Sampson,
MuJ. Gen. M. C. Butler; for Porto Rico,
MaJ. Gen. John R. Brooke, Head Admiral
Winfield S. Schley, Brig. Gen. William W.
Gordon, who soon afterwards met the
Spanish commissions at Havana and Sat#
Juan, respectively. The Porto Rican Joint:
commission speedily accomplished It* task,
and by the 13th of October the evacuation
of the Island was completed. The United
States flag was raised over the island at
noon on that day. The administration of
its affairs has lieen provisionally intrusted
to a military governor until Congress shall
otherwise provide. The Cuban Joint com
mission has not yet terminated It* labor*.
Owing to the difficulties in the way of
removing the large pumbers of Spanisl#
troop* still In Cuba, the evacuation can
not be completed before the Ist of January
next.
Pursuant to the fifth article of the proto
col, 1 appointed William R. Day, lately
Secretary of State; Cushman K. Davis,
William H. Frye und George Gray, sena
tors of the United States, und Whlieluw
Reid, to be the peace commissioners on
the pert of the United States. Proceed
ing in due season to Paris, they there met
on the first of October five commissioners,
similarly appointed on the part of Spain.
Their negotiations have made hopeful
progress, so that I trust soon to be able
to lay a definitive treaty of peace before
the Senate with a review of the step*
leading to its signature.
I do not discuss at this time the govern
ment or the future of the new possession*
which will come to us as the result of the
war whh Spain. Such discussion will be
appropriate after the treaty of peace shajl
be ratified. In the' meantime, and until
the Congress has legislated otherwise. It
will be my duty to continue the mili
tary governments which have existed since
our occupation and give to the people