The Advocate and news., 1898-12-07
PRESIDENT McKINLEY'S
MESSAGE.
{ Continued from page ~

the lighthouse tenders were turned over
to the Navy department and became tenn
porarily part Of the auxiliary navy.
:. :.
Regarding Dewey's victory at Manila
the President says:
The first encounter of the war, in point
of date, took place April q, when de-
tachment OF the blockading squadron
made a reconnaissance in force at Ma
tanzas, shelled the harbor forts and de-
stroyed several new works in construc-
tion.
The next engagement was destined to
mark a memorable epoch in maritime
warfare. The Pacific feet, under Com
mOdore Dewey, had lain for some weeks
at Hong Kong. Upon the proclamation
of neutrality being issued and the usual
twenty-four hours notice being given,
it repaired to Maris bay, near Hong
Kong, whence it proceeded to the Phil
ippine islands under telegraphed orders
to capture or destroy the formidable
Spanish fleet then assembled at Manila
At daybreak on the 1st Of May the Amer
lean force entered Manila bay and after
a few hours engagement effected the to-
tai destruction Of the Spanish fleet, con-
sisting of ten war ships and transport,
besides capturing the naval station and
forts at Cavlte, thus annihilating 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 life was lost on our ships,
En1 nn1vy hawtnW
while not a vessel was materially in
jured. For this gallant achievement the
Congress, upon my recommendation, Mt
tingly bestowed upon the actors prefer
ment and substantial reward.
The effect Of this remarkable victory
upon the spirit Of our people and upon
the fortunes of war was instant. A pres
tige Of invincibility therefore attached to
our arms, which continued throughout
the struggle ReinforCements were hur-
ried to Manila under the command OF
Major General Merritt and firmly estab-
lished within sight of the capital, which
lay helpless before our guns. On the
7th day Of May the government was adj
vised officially Of the victory at Manila
and at once inquired Of the commander
of the fleet what troops would be re-
quired. The information was received
on the 18th day Of May and the first
army expedition sailed May 25 and ar
rived at Manila June 30. Other cxpedi-
tions soon followed, the total force con-
sisting Of GAL officers and 1908 men.
=: .
Leading up to the Santiago campaign
President Mckinley reports:
On May 30 Commodore Schley's squad
ron bombarded the forts guarding the
mouth of Santiago harbor. Neither at
tack had any material result. 1t was evil
dent that we'll ordered land operations
were indispensable to achieve decided
advantage.
The next act in the war thrilled not
alone the hearts Of our own countrymen,
but the world, by its exceptional hero
ism. On the night Of June Lieutenant
Hobson, aided by seven devoted volun-
teers, blocked the narrow outlet from
Santiago harbor by sinking the collier
Merrimac in the channel, under fierce
fire from the shore batteries, escaping
with their lives as by miracle, but fall
ing into the hands Of the Spaniards.
It is most gratifying incident Of the
war that the bravery of this little band
of heroes was cordially appreciated by
the Spaniards, who sent a flag OF truce to
notify Admiral Sampson Of their safety
and to compliment them upon their dar-
ing act. They were subsequently ex-
changed July Z.
By June Z the cutting of the last Cuban
cable isolated the island. Thereafter the
invasion was vigorously prosecuted. On
June 10, under heavy protecting fire,
a landing force of 900 marines from the
Oregon, Marblehead and Yankee was ef-
fected in GuantanOmO bay, where 1t had
been determined to establish a naval
station. This important and essential