The times., 1898-12-06


House Services co-operated. which en-
abled the. Navy Department to have all
portions of the Atlantic Coast, from Maine
| to Texas, under observation.
The auxiliary navy was created under
the authority of Congress and was officer
| ed and manned by the Naval Militia OF
| the several States This organization pa
trolled the coast. and performed the duty
of n second line of defense.
PLACING HARBOR MINES.
|, Under the direction of the Chief of En-
gineers submarine mines were placed at
the most exposed points. Before the out
break of war permanent mining case
ments and cable galleries had been con-
structed at nearly. all important harbors.
Most of the torpedo material was not TO
| he found in the market, and had to be
specially manufactured. Under date of
| April 10, district officers were directed to
take all preliminary measures short of
the actual attaching of the loaded mines
to the cables and on April q telegraphic
| orders were isseed to place the loaded
mines in position
The aggregate number of mines placed
was 1885, at the principal harDors from
Maine tor California. Preparations were
! also made for the planting of mines at
certain other harbors, but owing TO the
early destruction of the Spanish fieet these
mines were not placed.
THE SIGNAL CORPS.
The Signal CORPS was promptly organ
lied, and performed service of the most
| difficult and Important character. Its op-
erations during the war covered the elec-
| trlcal connection of all coast fo-tifica-
ts.t.
telegraphic facilities for the camps a;
Manila, Santiago, and in Porto Rico
There were constructed 800 niles of line
at ten great camps, thus facilitating mill
tary movements from those points in 4
manner heretofore unknown in military
administration, Field telegraph lines were
established and maintained under the enc
my's fire ct Manila, and later the Manila
Hongkong cable was reopened.
In Porto Rico cable communications
We're opened over discontinued route,
ard on land the headquarters of the com
mandng officer was kept in telegraphic
or telephone communication with the di-
vision commanders on four different lines
of operations.
WORK OF THE CABLE; SHIP.
There was placed in Cuban waters a
completely outfitted cable ship. with war
cables and cable gear, suitable both for
the destruction of communications be-
longing to the enemy and the establish
ment of our own. Two ocean cab.es were
destroyed under the enemys batteries at
Santiago. The day previous TO the land
ing OF Gen. Skaters corps at Caimanera
within twenty miles of the landing pace.
cable communications were established
and 4 cable station opened giving direct
communication with the Government at
Washington. This service was Invalua-
bic to the Executive in directing the op-
erations of the army and navy. With a
total force of over 800 the loss was by
disease in camp and field, officers and
men included only FIVE
The national defense fund of go, COO 600
was expended in large part by the army
and navy, and the objects for which II
was used are fully shown In the reports
of the several Secretaries. Ii was a most
timely appropriation, enabling the Gov
ernment 10 strengthen its defenses and
make preparations greatly needed in case
of war. x.4ss-
CALL FOR A. WAR LOAN.
This fund being inadequate to the re-
quirements of equipment and for the con-
duct of the war, the patriotism of the
Congress provided the means In the war
revenue act of June 10 by authorizing a
three per cent popular loan not to exceed
four hundred million dollars and by levy
ing additional irnposts and taxes. OF the
authorized loan, Two hundred millions
were offered and promptly taken, the sub
scriptions so far exceeding the call as to
cover II many times over, while prefer
ence being given to the smaller bids no
single allotment exceeded five thousand
dollars. This was most encouraging
and significant result showing the vast
resources Of the nation and the deter
ninauon OF the people to uphold their
countrys honor.
1t is not within the province of this
message to narrate the history of the
extraordinary war that followed the
Spanish declaration of April 81 but a
brief recital of its more salient features
is appropriate
The first encounter of the war in pofnt
of date took place April q, when a de-
tachment of the blockading squadron
made reconnaissance in force at Ma
tanzas. shelled the harbor forts. and de-
molished several new works in constr,,c
ton.
ADMIRAL pEWEY'S VICTORY,
The next engagement was destined 10
mark memorable epoch in maritime
warfare. The Pacific fleet, under Corn
modore George Dewey had lain for some
weeks at Hongkong Upon the colonial
proclamation of neutrality being issued
and the customary twenty-four hours no.
tice being given, itsrepaired to Mrs Bay
near Hong-Kong, whence it proceeded to
the Philippine Islands under telegraphcd
elders to capture or destroy the formida-
BILE Spanish fleet then assembled at Ma
Mia. AT daybreak on the 1st of Nav the
American force entered Manila Bay and
after few hours engagement effected
the total destruction of the Spanish fleet
consisting of ten warships and a trans
port besides capturing the naval station
and forts at Cavte, 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 a life was lost on our
ships, the wounded numbering seven
while not vessel was materially injured
For this gallant achievement the Con-
gress, upon my recommendation, fitly be-
slowed upon the actors preferment and
substantial reward.
PATRIOTISM OF THE PEOPLE,
The effect of this remarkable victory
upon the spirit of our people and upon the
fortunes of the war was instant A pres
tige of invincibllity thereby attached to
our arms, which continued throughout the
struggle. Re-enforcements were hurried
to Manila under the command of Major
General Merritt and firmly established
within sight of the capital, which lay help
less before our guns.
On the 7th day of May the Government
advised Off1piat1v nf ha vrtcf at
Manila, and at once inquired of the Com
mander of our fleet what frnnns would