Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1898-12-09
Presidents Message.


rf1nIlaung, the spanish power in the Faelnc
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 a vessel was materially injured. For
this gallant achievement the congress, up
on my recomm endation, fifty bestowed up
on theactors present permanent and sub
s' The e EeMae y this remarkable victory
upon the spirit of our people and upon the
ge o af hereby to
our arms. which continued throughout the
struggle. Requirements were hurried to
Manila MANILA un and the Of a
our guns. On the seventh day Of. May the
government was advised officially of the
victory OF Manila, and at once inquired OF
would be required. The information was
received on The 18th Of May and the first
rived off Manila June 80. Other expeditions
soon followed the total force consisting
of GAL officers and 15,O5S men.
Only reluctance to cause needless loss
of life and property prevented the early
storming and capture of the city and
therewth the absolute military Th oecupaney
meanwhile had resumed the active hos
tilites suspended by the uncompleted truce
Manila from the northern and eastern side,
but We're constrained by Admiral Dewey
and Gen. Merritt from attempting an as
sault., 1t was fitting that whatever was
done in the way of decisive operations in
that quarter should be accomplished by
the strong arm of the United States alone.
Obeying the stern precept 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 a peace, divided victory was not
permissible, for no partition of the rights
and responsibilities attending the enforce
ment of Just and advantageous peace
could be thought of.
Following the comprehensive scheme of
general attack powerful forces were as
sembled at various points on our coast to
invade Cuba and Porto Rico. Meanwhile
exposed points. On May II. the cruiser
Wilmington and torpedo boat Winslow
We're unsuccessful in an attempt to silence
the batteries at Cardenas, against Matan-
zas, Worth Bagley and four seamen fall
ing. These grievous fatalities were strange
ly enough among the very few which &C.
Cured during our naval operations in this
extraordinary conflict.
Advance of Ceryera's Fleet.
Meanwhile the Spanish naval prepare
tions had been pushed with great yigor. A
powerful squadron under Admiral Ceryera
islands before the outbreak of hostilities
| had crossed the ocean and by its erratie
maSv ope hs S f SaaE yse
| pursuit of our fleets. For time fears were
| felt lest, tho Oregon and Marietta, ther
| nearing nome aIter tQelf long voyage iron
| San Francisco Of over 1900 miles, nigh
| be surprised by Admiral Cervera's fleet
/ but their fortunate arrival dispelled these
apprehensions and lent much needed reen
| took refuge In the harbor of Santiago d.
Cuba about May was it practicable t.
plan systematic, military attack upon the
Several demonstrations occurred on the
coasts of Cuba and Porto Rico in prepare
ton for the larger event On May l3 tn,
! n N II
I de Porto Rico. On May 30 Commodore
I Schley's squadron bombarded the fort
| guarding the mouth of Santiago harbor
Neither attack had any material result. /
/ was evident that well-ordered land opera
| tions were Indispensable to achieve de
| cisive advantage.
Hobson's Band of Heroes.
The next act in the war thrilled not alone
the hearts of our countrymen but the worlt
by it's exceptional heroism. On the nigh
/ of June Lieut.. Hobson, aided by sever
devoted volunteers, blocked the marrow
outlet from Santiago harbor by sinking tn
/ collier Merrimac in the channel, under
| fierce fire from the shore batteries, escap
ing with their lives as by miracle. blu
! is a most gratifying incident of the wa
that the bravery of this little band o
| heroes was cordially appreciated by tn
Spaniards. who sent a flag of truce to Motif,
! compliment them on their daring act. The,
/ were subsequently exchanged July T.
Fall of Guantanamo.
BY June Z the cutting of the last Cubal
| cable isolated the island. Thereafter TIL
invasion was vigorously prosecuted. o.
June 10. under heavy protecting fire,
landing of 600 marines from the Oregon
| Marblehead and Yankee was effected Il
| Guantanamo bay, where 1t had been deter
| mined to establish naval station. Thi
important and essential port was take
from the enemy after severe fighting b
the marines, who We're the first organize
/ force of the United States to land in Cuba
4 The position so won was held, despite des
: perate attempts to dislodge our forces. p
June 16 additional forces were landed an
/ strongly intrenched. On June % the ad
vance of the invading army under Ma.
Gen. Shafter landed at Baiquiri, about /
miles east of Santiago. This was accom-
plished under great difficulties, but wit
marvellous dispatch.