Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1898-12-08

the port Of Cienfuegos on the south coast
Of Cuba, and on the z3rd I called for
volunteers to execute the purpose OF the
resolution. BY my message OF April 20
the congress was Informed OF the situa-
ton and recommended forma Al declara-
ton of the existence of state OF war be-
tween the United States and Spain. The
congress accordingly voted on the same
day the act approved April %, 1898, de-
claring the existence OF such war from
and Including the 21st day OF April sna
re-enacted the provision OF the session OF
April 20, directing the president to use
ali the armed forces Of the nation to carry
that act into effect.
Due notification Of the existence OF war
as aforesaid was given April 70 by teie-
graph to all the governments with wnlcn
the United States maintain relations, III
order that their neutrality might De as
sured during the war. The various gov
ernments responded with proclamatlons
Of neutrality, each after its own methods
In further fulfllment Of international
duty issued, April 2S 1898. prociama.
ton announcing the treatment proposed
to be accorded to vessels and their car
goes as to blockade contraband, the
exercise OF the right Of search, and the
immunity of neutral flags and neutral
goods under enemy's flag. A similar
proclamation was made by the Spanish
government
our country thus, after an 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
unteers was instant and complete, as was
also the result Of the second call of May
25 for $4,000 additional volunteers The
ranks Of the regular army were Increased
to the limit provided by the act OF April
2e, 1893
The enlisted force OF the navy on Aug.
15 when 1t reached its maximum, num-
bered 24123 men and apprentices. one
hundred and three vessels were added to
the navy by purchase, one was presented
to the government, one leased and the
four vessels OF the International Navi-
cation 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 auxiliary navy.
The signal corps was promptly organ
i-od and performed service Of the most
difficult and important character. Its
operations during the war covered tho
electrical connection OF all coast forth
cations. the establishment of telephone
and telerraphic facilities for the camps
Mt Manila. Santiago and In Porto Rico
This service was Invaluable to the execu-
tive in directing the operations OF the
over 1900 the loss by disease in camp and
field, officers and men included, only Ave.
The national defense fund of $4,000 000
was expended in large part by the army
and navy, and the objects for which It
was used was fully shown in the re-
a most timely appropriation. enabling
the government to strengthen Its de-
lenses and make preparations greatly
needed In case OF war.
This fund being inadequate to the re-
cuirements OF equipment and for the
conduct OF the war the patriotism Of the
congress provided the means In the war
revenue act OF June 10 by authorizing a
percent popular loan, not to exceed
$500 900 900. and by levying additional
imposts and taxes. or the authorized
loan 5000 900 900 was offered and promptly
taken. the subscriptions so far exceeding
the call as to cover II many times over.
This was most encouraging and signi-
ncant result showing the vast resources
OF the nation, and the determination Of
the people to uphold their country's
honor.
It 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 It's more salient features
| Is appropriate.
The first er counter Of the war in point
| Of date took place April 81, when n de-
tachment OF the blockading squadron
made a reconnaissance in force at Ma
tanzas. she I'd the harbor forts and
demolished several works In course OF
| construction.
| The next engagement was destined to
mark q memorable epoch in marine war
fare. The Pacific fleet, under Commo-
dore George Dewey. had lain for son a
weeks at Hong Kong. Upon the colonial
proclamation of neutrality being issued
| and the customary "a hours notice being
given, II repaired to Mrs bay. near Hong
Kong, whence 1t proceeded to the Philip
pine Islands under telegraph orders to
capture or destroy the formidable Span
tsh feet then assembled at Manila
| At daybreak on May the American
force entered Manila bay and after a few
| hours engagement effected the total de-
| struction OF the Spanish feet consistin
OF 10 warships and transport. besides
| capturing the naval station and forts a,
Cavite, thus annihilating the Spanish
naval power In the Pacific ocean and
completely controlling the bay Of Ma.
nila with the ability TO take the city al
| Will. Not a life was lost on our ships
the wounded only numbering seven
while not vessel was materially Injured
For this gallant achievement the con-
| gress, upon my recommendation, ftly
bestowed upon the actors permanent and
| substantial reward.
The effect OF this remarkable victory
upon the spirit of our people and upo
the fortunes of the war was instant. A
prestige Of invincibility thereby attached
| to our arms, which continued throughou,
the struggle. Reinforcements were
| hurried to Manila under the command of
| Major General Merritt and firmly estab.
llshed within sight OF the capital. which
lay helpless before our guns.
On NAV the government wa @ a d,,i, q 4
officially Of the victory at Manila and nj
once inquired OF the commander OF ou,
fleet what troops would be REQUIRED TIL
information was received on the 18th o.
May and the frst army expedition SAILED
May 25 and arrived of Manila June 30
Other expeditions soon followed, tho
total force c. insisting Of GAL officers nc
IL, 05S enlisted men.
Only reluctance to cause needless los:
OF life and property prevented the early
storming and capture of the city, anC
Herewith the absolute military occu
pancy of the whole group.
The insurgents meanwhile had re.
, sumed the active hostilities suspended
, by the uncompleted truce of Decem Der
1897, Their forces invested Manila from
the northern and eastern sides. but were
constrained by Admiral Dewey and Gen
eral Merritt from attempting an assault
1t was fitting that whatever was to b,
done in the way of decisive operations In
that quarter should be accomplished b,
the strong arm OF the United States alone
Obeying the stern precept of war viii
enJoins the overcoming Of the adversary
and the extinction OF his power whereyel
assailable as the speedy and sure mean,
TO win peace. divided victory was no
permissible, for no partition Of the right,
and responsibilities attending the en-