The Hocking sentinel. [volume] (Logan, Ohio) 1871-1906, 1898-12-08
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
@~PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE
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tion of the existence of state Of war he
tween the United States and Spain. The
Congress accordingly voted on the same
day that act approved April %. 1898, de-
clarng the existence of such war, from
and including the 2lst 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 % by tele-
graph to all the governments with which
the United States maintains relations.
In further ful6llment of international
duty l issued April &c a proclamation an
nouncing the treatment proposed to be
accorded to vessels and their cargoes as
to blockade, contraband, the exercise of
the right of subjects and the immunity
of neutral flags and neutral goods under
| enemy'S flag. A similar proclamation
was made by the Spanish Government.
Preparations for the War.
Our country thus after IN interval of
half a century of peace with all nations
| found itself engaged in deadly conflict
with foreign enemy. Every nerve was
strained TO meet the emergency. The
response to the initial call for 125. 900 vol
also the result of the second call of May
| 25 for 1000 additional volunteers. The
ranks of the regular army were increas-
ed to the limits provided by the act of
April 26 The enlisted force of the navy
on the 10th of August. when it reached
its maximum, numbered y. 123 men and
apprentices. One hundred and three yes
sells were added to the navy by purchase.
one was presented TO the Government,
one leased and the four vessels of the In
ternatiOnal Navigation Company-the st.
Paul. St. Louis, New York and Paris
were chartered. In addition to these the
revenue cutters and lighthouse tenders
were turned over TO the Navy Depart
ment and became temporarily part of
the auxiliary navy.
Much alarm was felt along our entire
Atlantic seaboard lest some attack might
be made by the enemy. Every precau-
ton was taken to prevent possible injury
to our great cities lying along the coast.
The auxiliary navy patrolled the coast
and performed the duty of a second arm
of defense. Under the direction of the
chief of engineers submarine mines were
placed at the most exposed points. The
aggregate number of mines placed was
1.535, at the principal harbors from
Maine to California.
The national defense S5G.OOO.OOO fund
was expended in large part by the army
and navy. and the objects for which it
was used are fully shown in the reports |
of the several secretaries. This fund. be- |
ing inadequate to the requirements of |
equipment and for the conduct of the |
war. the patriotism of the Congress pio-
eided the means in the war revenue act |
of June l3 by authorizing 3 per cent. |
popular loan not to exceed S40O0O0. 900. |
and by leyying additional imposts and |
taxes,
Salient Features of the War.
1t is not within the province of this
message TO narrate the history of the ex-
traordinary war that followed the Span
ish declaration of April p. but brief |
recital of its more salient features is ap-
propriate. The first encounter of the war
in point of date took place April 81. when
detachment of the blockading squadron
made reconnaissance in force at Matan-
Eas. shelled the harbor and forts and de-
molished several new works in construc-
ton.
The next engagement was destined to
mark memorable epoch in maritime
warfare. The Pacific feet. under Com
modore George Dewey. had lain for some
weeks at Hong Kong. Upon the colonial
proclamation of neutrality being issued
and the customary twenty-four hours no
tice being given, it repaired to Mrs Bay.
near Hong Kong, whence it proceeded
to the Philippine Islands under tele-
graphed orders to capture or destroy the
formidable Spanish feet then assembled
at Manila. At daybreak on the 1st of
May the American force entered Manila
Bay. and after a few hours engagement
effected the total destruction of the Span
ish fleet. consisting of ten warships and
a transport, besides capturing the naval
station and forts at Cayite. thus annihil-
atng the Spanish naval power in the Pa
f,.,n nd late o1,- A.
Bay of Manila, with the ability to take
the city at will. Not life was lost on
our ships. the wounded only numbering
seven, while not vessel was materially
injured.
The effect of this remarkable victory
upon tie 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. Re-enforcements We're hur-
ried to Manila under the command of
Major General Merritt and firmly estab-
shed within sight of the capital, which
ay helpless before our guns.
Only reluctance TO cause needless loss
If life and property prevented the early |
storming and capture of the city. and
herewith the absolute military occupancy
If the whole group. The insurgents mean
While had resumed the active hostilites
,.,cember. 1897. Their forces invested
Mani a from the northern and eastern
'id-, but We're constrained by Admiral
Dewey and General Merritt from at
empting an assault. 1t was fitting that
whatever was to be done in the way of
lecisive operations in that quarter should
'e accomplished by the strong arm of
he United States alone.
Following the comprehensive scheme of
attack pOwarful forces xyera |
embled at various points on our coast
o invade Cuba and Porto Rico. Mean
While naval demonstrations We're made
It several exposed points. May II the
ruiser Wilmington and torpedo boat
Ninslow were unsuccessful in an attempt
o silence the batteries at Cardenas and /;
'Iatanzas. Worth, Bagley and four sea- I
nen falling. |
Meanwhile the Spanish naval prepara- =
ions had been pushed with great vigor. /
| powerful squadron under Admiral Ger !
era. which had assembled at the Cape +
'erde Islands before the outbreak of /
ostilities. had crossed the ocean. and by a
IS erratic movements in the Caribbean \
ea delayed our military operations while +
aff1ing the pursuit of our fleets. Not
ntii Admiral Cervera took refuge in the :
arbor of Santiago de Cuba about May {
was it practicable to plan n systematic r
|
essions of Spain. n
Several demonstrations occurred on the I
oast of Cuba and Porto Rico in prepara- y
ion for the larger event. On May 13 the t
,orth Atlantic squadron shelled San Juan
e Porto Rico. On May so Commodore n
chley's squadron bombarded the forts +
harding the mouth of Santiago harbor +
'either attack had any material result. Q
Hobson's Daring Act. $
The next act in the war thrilled not "
lone the hearts of our countrymen, but t
ne world, by its exceptional heroism. On S
ne night of June 3 Lieutenant Hobson, +
ided by seven devoted volunteers. block
i the narrow outlet from Santiago har- II
or by sinking the collier Merrmac in c
le channel, under fierce fire from the 4
hOre batteries, escaping with their lives Ii
5 by a miracle. but falling into the p
ands of the Spaniards. They were sub o
aquently exchanged July Z. Il
BY June 4 the cutting of the last Cuban s
able isolated the island. Thereafter the {
lvasion was vigorously prosecuted. On il
une 10, under a heavy protecting fire, a
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