The bee., 1898-12-08
President MCKin|ey'S
Message in Full:

and the port Of Cienfuegos, on the south
coast of Cuba; and on the 23d / called for
volunteers to execute the purpose OF the
resolution. BY my message Of the 25th
the congress was informed OF the situa-
ton. and l recommended formal declara-
ton of the existence OF a state OF war be-
tween the United states and Spain. The
congress accordingly voted, on the same
claring the existence of such war from
and including the 21st day Of April, and
re-enacted the provision of the resolution
Of April 20 directing the president TO use
ry the act into effect. Due notification of
the existence OF war as aforesaid was
governments with which the United States
maintain relations in order that their
neutrality might be assured during the
war. The various governments respond
ed with proclamations OF Neutrality, each
after its own methods. II Is not among
the least gratifying Incidents of the strug-
gle that the obligations OF neutrality were
impartially discharged by all, often under
delicate and difficult circumstances.
NATION GOVERNING CON-
DUCT AT SEA.
In further fulhllment Of international
duty Issued. April 26, a proclamation an
nouncing the treatment proposed TO be
accorded TO vessels and their cargoes as
10 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. In the
conduct Of hostilities the rules OF the dec
laration OF Paris, including abstention
from resort OF privateering have accord
ingly been observed by both belligerents,
although neither was party to that dec
larati0n.
THE PLUNGE INTO A FOREIGN WAR.
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 re-
Spouse to the initial call for 125, 900 volun-
teers was instant and complete. as was
also the result OF the second call OF May
%. for 10000 additional volunteers. The
ranks of the regular army were increased
TO the limits provided by the act OF April
20. The enlisted force of the navy, on the
18th OF August, when II reached It's max
imum. numbered 2i.l23 men and appren-
added 20 the navy by purchase, one was
presented 10 the government, one
leased, and the four vessels OF the In
ternational Navigation Co, the St. Paul,
81. Louis. New York and Paris. were
chartered In addition to these the revenue
cutters and lighthouse tenders were
turned over TO the navy department and
became temporarily a part OF the auxii-
larry navy.
THE FiGHTING FORCE OF THE
NAVY.
The maximum effective fighting force
OF the navy during the war, separated in
10 classes. was as follows: Four battle
ships OF the first class; battleship OF the
second class armored cruisers; coast
defense monitors: / armorod ram; u pro-
tected cruisers. 3 unprotected cruisers; is
gunboats; ] dynamite cruiser; IL torpedo
boats; IA old vessels OF the old navy In
Auxiliary navy: Four auxiliary cruI-
sers; q converted yachts; % converted
tiers, lighthouse tenders and 10
miscellaneous vessels.
ALARM ON THE ATLANTIC COAST.
Much alarm was felt along our entire
Atlantic seaboard lest some attack might
b. made by the enemy. Every precau-
ton was taken 80 prevent possible injury
10 our great cities lying along the coast.
drawn from he volunteer force. About
1900 troops were thus employed. The
coast signal service was established for
observing the approach of an enemy's
ship TO the coast OF the United States, and
the lighthouse service co-operated, which
enabled the navy department to have all
portions of the Atlantic coast, from
Maine to Texas. under observation.
THE AUXILIARY NAVY.
The auxiliary navy was created under
the authority OF congress and was off-
cered and manned by the naval militia OF
the several states. This Organization pa
trolled the coast and performed the duty
OF a second arm of defense
Under the direction of the chief of en-
gineers, submarine mines were placed at
the most exposed points. Before the out
break of the war permanent mining case
mates and cable galleries had been con-
structed at all important harbors. Most
OF the torpedo material was not to be
found in the market, and had to be spe-
ctally 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 p telegraphic or
ders were Issued TO place the loaded
mines In position.
SUBMARINE MINE DEFENSE.
The aggregate number of mines placed
was / 5J5 at the principal harbors from
Maine 10 California. Preparations were
certain other harbors, but owing to the
early destruction of the Spanish fleet,
these mines We're not placed. The signal
corps was promptly. organized, and per-
formed service of the most difficult and
important character. Its operations dur
ing the war covered the electrical connec-
tlon OF all coast fortifications, the esta5-
lishment of telephone and telegraphic ia
cilities for the camps at Manila, Santiago
and In Porto Rico. There were construct
ed 800 miles OF the line at ten great camps
thus facilitating military movements from
those points IN a manner heretofore un-
known In military administration. Field
telegraph lines were established and main
tanned under the enemy's, fire at Manila,
and later the Manila-Hong Kong cable
was opened.
CABLE CoMMUNICATIONs IN CUBA
AND PORTO RICO.
In Porto Rico cable communications were
opened over a discontinued route and on
land tho headquarters Of the command
ing officer was kept in telegraphic and
telephone communication with the divi-
sion commanders on four different lines
of operation.
There was placed in Cuban waters a COM
pletely Quilted cable ship with war ca
bles and cable gear, suitable both for the
destruction of communications belonging
to the enemy and the establishment of
our own. Two ocean cables were destroyed
under the enemy's batteries at Santiago
The day previous to the landing of Gen.
Skaters corps at Caimanera, within 20
miles OF the landing place. cable commu-
nicatlons were established and a cable
station opened, giving direct communica-
ton with the government at Washington.
This service was invaluable to the eXecu-
tive in directing the operations OF the
army and navy. With a total force OF
over 1900 the loss was by disease in camp
and field, officers and men included, only
Ave.
THE NATIONAL DEFENSE FUND.
The national defense under the $50,000,-
O0O fund, was expended I'm large part by
which II was used are fully shown in the
reports of the several secretaries. IL was
a most timely appropriation, enabling the
government to strengthen its defense and
make preparations greatly needed In case
of war. This fund being inadequate to
the requirements OF equipment and for
the congress provided the means in the
war revenue act of June 10, by authoriz-
Ing a three per cent popular loan not TO
exceed anu DH itNylnB auul-
tional imposts and taxes. OF the author
lied loan, $500, 100000 were offered and
promptly taken, the subscriptions so far
exceeding the call as TO cover 1t many
times over while, preference being given
to the smaller bids, no single allotment
exceeded 5000 This was a most encour-
aging and significant result, showing the
vast resources of the nation and the de-
of the people to uphold their
honor.
FEATURES OF THE WAR.
1t is not within the province of this mes
sage to narrate the history of the extra
ordinary war that followed the Spanish
of April p. but brief re-
cital of It's more salient features Is APP
propriate. The first encounter OF the war
In point of date took place April a. when
a detachment of the blockading squadron
made a reconnaissance I'm force at Ma
tanzas, shelled the harbor forts and de-
several new works In course of
VICTORY AT MANILA BAY.
The next engagement was destined to
mark memorable epoch in maratime
warfare. The Pacific feet, under Commo-
dore George Dewey, had lain for some
weeks at Hong Kong. Upon the colonial
of neutrality being issued,
and tho customary "a hours notice being
given, II repaired TO Mrs bay, near Hong
Kong whence Il proceeded to the Philip
Pine islands, under telegraphic orders to
capture or destroy the formidable Span
Ich fleet then oaaauanlQd a Manila At