The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1898-12-08

JnefGDy attached to our arms, which
continued throughout the struggle.
ReinfOrcements were hurried to Man
lila under the command of Major-Gen-
eral Merritt and firmly established
within sight of the capital, which lay
helpless before our guns"
DESTRUCTION OF CERVERA'S FLEET.
He calls the destruction of Cervera's
fleet the decisive naval combat Of the
war and says: THE Spanish feet.
attempting to leave the harbor. was
met by the American squadron under
command of Commodore Sampson
In less than three hours all the Span
ish ships were destroyed, the two tor
pedO boats being sunk, and the Maria
Teresa, Almirante Oquendo, Vizcaya
and CristObal Colon driven ashore
The Spanish Admiral and over 1900
men were taken prisoners, while the
enemy's loss of life was dcplorably
large, some 900 persisted. On our side
but one man was killed on the Brook
iyn, and one man seriously wounded.
Although our ships were repeatedly
struck, not one was seriously injured.
Where all so cOnspicuOusly distingu-
ished themselves, from the commander
70 the gunners and the unarmed he
rOes in the boiler rooms, each and all
contributing toward the achievement
Of this astounding victory, for which
neither ancient nor modern history
affords a parallel in the completeness
of the events and the marvellous dis
proportion of casualties, it would be
invidiOus to single out any for special
honor. Deserved promotion has re-
Warded the more conspicuous actors
the nations prOudest gratitude is due
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 consequences 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
warships.n -
GOVERNMENT or NEW POSSESSIONS.
Referring to the peace commission
the message says: Their negotia-
tions have made hopeful progress, so
that | trust soon to be able to lay
definitive treaty of peace before the
Senate, with a review of the steps
leading to its signature.
| do not discuss at this time the
government or the future of the new
possessions which will come to us as
the result of the war with Spain
Such discussions will be appropriate
after the treaty of peace with Spain.
In the meantime and until the
Congress has legislated otherwise it
will be my duty to continue the mill
tary governments which have existed
since our occupation and given to the
people security in life and property
and encouragement under a Just and
beneficial rule.
LAS soon as we are in possession of
Cuba and have pacified the island it
will be necessary to give aid and di-
rectiOn to its people to form a govern
ment for themselves. This should be
undertaken at the earliest moment
consistent with safety and assured
success 1t is important that our re-
latiOns with this people shall be of the
most friendly character and our com
mercial relations close the reciprocal
1t should be our duty to assist in
every proper way to build up the
waste places of the Island, encourage
the industry of the people, and assist
them to form Il government which
shall be free and independent thus re-
alizing the best aspirations of the Gu
ban people.
"Spanish rule must be replaced by
a Just, benevolent and humane gov
ernment, created by the people of
Cuba, capable of performing all in
ternatiOnal obligations and which
shall encourage thrift, industry and
prosperity, and promote peace and
good will among all OF the inhabi-
tants, whatever may have been their
relations in the past. Neither revenge
nor passion should have place in the
new government. Until there is q
complete tranquility in the island and
Il stable government inaugurated
military occupation will be continu-
ed -
HAWAII.
OF the Hawaiian annexation and
the report of the Hawaiian Commits
siOneTs the President says: "The
Commissioners having fulfilled the
mission contided to them, their report
will be laid before you at an early day.
1t is believed that their recommends
tions will have the earnest cOnsidera-
ton due to the magnitude of the re-
spOnsibility resting upon you to give
SuCl slid pc W bllc ItitIlOuSIIi) Ol lllOSe
mid-Paciiic lands to our home Union
as will benefit both in the highest de-
gree, realizing the aspirations of the
community that has cast its lot with
us and elected to share our political
heritage, while at the same time JUS
tifying the foresight of those who for
three-quarters of a century have look
ed to the assimilation of Hawaii as a
natural and inevitable cOnsummation
in harmony with Our needs and in full
iillment of our cherished traditions.
CURRENCY REFORM.
After giving figures showing the ex-
cellent condition OF the United States
Treasury the president says:
In my judgment, the present con
dition of the Treasury amply iustifies
the immediate enactment of the leg
islation recommended one year ago
under which Il portion of the gold
holdings should be placed in trust
fund from which greenbacks should
be redeemed upon presentation, but
when once redeemed should not there
after be paid out except for gold.
1T is not to be inferred that other
Legislation relating to our currency is
not required; on the contrary there is
an obvious demand for it.
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