The Globe-republican., 1898-12-08

and significant result. showing the vast r.
| sources Of tho nation and the Discrimination o,
the people to uphold their nations honor.
| THE BATTLE OF MANILA.
It Il not within the province Of this message
TO nsrrate the history Of the extraordinary wal
that followed tho Spanish declaration Of April
eist. but brief recital Of its more salient fea-
lures Is appropriate. The drst encounter Of the
| war in point Of date. took place April q. when
| . detachment Of the block aiding squadron made
| . reconnaissance in force at MatanzaS, Shelled
| the harbor and demoN- he'd several new works
| in construction. Tbs next engagement
was destined to mark memorable
epoch in maritime warfare. The Pacific feet
! under Commodore George Dewey, had lain for
some weeks at Hong Kong Upon tho colonial
proclamation Of neutrality being issued and the
customary twenty-four hours notice being
given. It repaired to Mrs bag. near Hong Kong
whence 1t proceeded TO the Philippine islands
under telegraph orders to capture or destroy
the formidable Spanish fleet then assembled at
Manila At daybreak on tho lst OF May. the
American force entered Manila bay and after .
few hours engagement, effected the total de-
struction Of the Spanish feet, consisting of ten
warships and transport, besides capturing the
naval station and forts at Cavite, thus annihil-
sting the Spanish naval power In the Pacific
ocean and completely 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 . vessel was
materially injured. For this gallant achieve
ment the Congress, upon my recommendation,
dtly 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
no VvQ vrno inst loo Af Inv inOi
bility thereby attached to our arms, which con-
tinued throughout the struggle. Reinforce
ments were hurried to Manila under the COM
mand of Major General Merritt and firmly
established within sight Of the capital which lay
helpless before our guns. On the eth day Of
May the government was advised oh1cially Of
the victory at Manila. and at once inquired Of
the commander of our feet what troops would
be required The information was received on
tho 18th day of May and the first army expedi-
ton sailed May 18th and arrived at Manila
June 30th. Other expeditions soon folio wed,
tho total force consisting Of 64l officers and Is.
05e men.
Only reluctance to cause needless loss Of life
and property prevented the early St0rming and
capture Of the city and Herewith the absolute
military occupancy Of the whole group. The
insurgents meanwhile, had resumed the active
hostilities suspended by the uncompleted truce
of December. 1897. Their forces invested Ma
Mia from the northern and eastern side, but
were constrained by Admiral Dewey and Gea
eral Merritt from attempting an assault It
was fitting that whatever was to DO done in the
way Of decisive operations In that quarter
should be accomplished by tho strong arm Of
the United States alone. Obeying the stern pre-
cept Of war which enjoins the overcoming Of
the adversary and the extinction Of his power
wherever assailable as the speedy and sure
means to win peace divided victory was not
nor unfcco Ia pnp poptf NJ hA piohf
and responsibilities attending the enforce
ment Of . just and advantageous peace could
be thought of. Following the coming Of
the comprehensive scheme Of general attack,
powerful forces were assembled at various
points on our coast to invade Cuba and Porto
Rico. Meanwhile naval demonstrations were
made at several exposed points. On May II
the cruiser Wilmington and torpedo boat
Winslow were unsuccessful in an attempt to
silence tho batteries at Cardenas. against
Matanzas, Werth Bagley and four seamen fall
ing. These grievous fatalities were strangely
enough among the very few which occurred
during our naval operations in this extraordin-
ary conflict.
Meanwhile tho Spanish naval preparations
had been pushed with great vigor. A powerful
squadron under Admiral Cervera. which had
assembled at the Cape Verde islands before the
outbreak OF hostilities had crossed the ocean
and by its cratic movements In the Caribbean
sea delayed our military operations while
banning the pursuit of our fleets For . time
fears were felt lest the Oregon and Marietta,
then nearing home after their long voyage from
San Francisco Of over $1,000 miles, might be
surprised by Admiral Cervera's fleet but their
fortunate arrival dispelled the apprehensions
and lent much needed achievements. Not
until Admiral Cervera took refuge in the har-
Dor Of Santiago de Cuba about May 9. was it
practicable to plan a systematic military at
. 1rly t1,a A-tl
Several demonstrations occurred on the
coast Of Cubs and Porto Rico in preparation
for a larger event. On May - the North Attain
tic Squadron shelled San Juan de Porto Rico.
On May 30 Commodore Schleys squadron bonn
barded the forts guarding the mouth Of Santi-
ago harbor. Neither attack had any material
result. 1t was evident that well ordered land
operations were indispensable to achieve Q de-
cided advantage.
SINKING OF THE MERRIMAC.
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 Hobson aided by seven devoted
volunteers blocked the narrow outlet from
Santiago harbOr by sinking the collier Merrt-
mac in the channel, under . fierce fire from the
shore batteries. and escaping with their lives
as by miracle, but falling into the hands Of
the Spaniards- It /, q most gratifying incident
OF the war that the bravery OF this little band
OF heroes was cordially appreciated by the
Spaniards, who sent nag of truce to notify
Admiral Sampson OF their safety and to COM
pliment them upon their daring act They
were subsequently exchanged July7.
BY June z, the cutting Of the last Cuban cable
isolated the island. Thereafter the invasion
was vigorously prosecuted On June 10, under
o heavy protecting fire. a landing force of 600
marines from the Oregon, Marblehead and
Yankee was effected in Guantanamo bay, where
1t had been determined to establish . naval
station. This important and essential port
was taken from tide enemy after severe
fighting by the marines. who were
the first organized forces Of the United States
to land in Cuba.
OF CREvERAS FLEET.
The position 50 won was held despite desper-
ate attempts to dislodge our forces. BY June
Ia addificaal dod