The evening times., 1898-12-05

\ tary movements tnObe points III IL
manner heretofore unknown in military
administration. Field telegraph lines were
established and maintained under the ene-
my's fire at Manila and later the Manila
Hongkong cable was reopened
In Porto Rico cable communications
| were opened over discontinued route.
and on land the headquarters of the COM
| manding officer was kept in telegraphc
or telephonic communication with the di-
vision commanders on four different lines
of operations.
WORK OF THE CABLE SHIP.
There was placed in Cuban waters
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 cables were
destroyed under the enemy's batteries at
| Santiago. The day previous to the land
/ ing of Gen. Shafter'S corps at Caimanera,
within twenty miles of the landing place.
cable communications were established
and 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
total force of over 1850 the loss was by
4 ulScaSe III camp ana nelu, O1DcerS and
men included, only five.
The national defense fund of $4,000 900
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. IL was a most
| timely appropriation, enabling the Gov
| ernment to strengthen its defenses and
| make preparations greatly needed in case
| of war.
CALL FOR 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 13 by authorizing
three per cent popular loan not to exceed
four hundred million dollars and by levy
ing additional imposts 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 a most encoura ging
| and significant result, showing the vast
| resources of the nation and the deter
mination of the people to uphold their
| country's 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 Il
! brief recital of its more salient features
! is appropriate
| The first encounter of the war in point
OF date took place April q, when a de-
| tachment of the blockading squadron
made a reconnaissance in force at Ma
| tanzas, shelled the haTbor forts, and de-
| molished several new works in constrrc-
| ton.
ADMIRAL DEWEY'S VICTORY.
The next engagement was destined to
mark memorable epoch in maritime
warfare. The Pacific fleet, under Com
| modore George Dewey, had lain for some
weeks at Hongkong. Upon the colonial
| proclamation of neutrality being issued
end the customary twenty-four hours no.
tice being given, it repaired TO Mrs Bay
| near Hong-kong. whence il proceeded TO
| the Philippine Islands under telegraphcd
| ol ders to capture or destroy the formida-
| bic Spanish fleet then assembled at Ma
! Mia. At daybreak on the Ist of May the
| American force entered Manila Bay and
after a 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 Cavite, thus annihila ting
| 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, fifty 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 invincibility 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 eth day of May the Government
was advised officially of the victory at
| Manila. and at once inquired of the Com
| mander of our feet what troops would
! be required. The information was re-
| ceiVed on the 18th day of May and the
| first army expedition sailed MAY 18th and
| arrived off Manila June 30th. Other ex-
! petitions soon followed. the total force
| consisting of GAL officers and l5 05S enlisted
| men.
! DELAY IN TAKING MANILA
Only reluctance TO cause needless loss of
| life and property prevented the early
| storming and capture of the city, and
| Herewith the absolute military occupancy
or the whole group. The insurgents mean
while had resumed the active hostilities
| suspended by the uncompleted tSuce of
| December, 1897. Their forces invested Ma
| Mia from the northern and eastern side,
4 but were constrained by Admiral Dewey
| and General Merritt from attempting an
| assault II was fitting that whatever was
! to be done in the way of decisive opera
tons in that quarter should be accom-
! plished 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
ana sure means to win a peace, divided
| victory was not permissible. for no parti-
| ton OF the rights and responsibilities at
! tending the enforcement of just and ad-
| vantageous peace could be thought Of
Following the comprehensive scheme Of
general attack, powerful forces We're as
| sembled at various points on our coast to
| invade Cuba and Porto Rico. Meanwhile
| naval demonstrations were made at sever
| al exposed points On May 11th the cruis-
| er Wilmington and torpedo boat Winslow
were unsuccessful in an attempt to silence
| the batteries at Cardenas, a gallant en-
| sign. Worth Bagley, and four seamen fall
ing. These grievous fatalities were