The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1898-12-15
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hip Maine while riChtfully lying in
tbor Of Havana on mission OF in
tonal courtesy and good villa ca
bhe- the suspicious nature and hor-
1hich stirred the nations heart pro-
foundF. 1t is striking evidence OF the
poise Ind sturdy good sense distinguish
fng oui national character that this shock
ing blow, falling upon generous people.
already deeply touched by preceding events
in Cub$, did not move them to an instant,
desperate resolve to tolerate the existence
OF condition of danger and disorder at our
doors that made possible such deed, by
whomsoever wrought. Yet the instino OF
justice prevailed, and the nation anxlously
awaited the result Of the searching inves-
tigatiop at once set on foot. The finding
OF the Naval Board Of Inquiry established
that the origin of the explosion was eXter-
nal BY o aubmarine mine, and only halted,
through lack of positive testimony, to hX
the responsibility of its authorship.
Prcpexatiohs For War.
Authese things carried conviction to the
most thoughtful. even before the finding
% The naval court, that crisis in our re-
Iutions T.ih Spain and toward Cuba was
at hand. So strong was this belief that II
needed but brief executive suggestion to
the Congress to receive immediate answer
TO the duty OF making instant provision
fer the possible and lperhapS speedily prob
able emergency Of war, and the remark
able, almost unique, spectacle was pre-
sented OF a unanimous vote OF both houses,
on thel 9th Of Mare appropriating $780,
600 900 for the national defense, and for
each and every purpose connected there
With. "to be expended at the discretion OF
the President"
The President then reviews at length the
various attempts to bring about peaceful
solution OF the uastion, and says that he
was grieved and disappointed at the bar
rem Ottcome OF his sincere endeavors to
reach h practicable solution. He then re-
lates how he placed the matter in the
hands oi Congress.
Congress Takes Quick Action.
The response OF the Congress, he con-
tinues. after nine days Of earnest delibera-
tion. during which the almost unanimous
sentiment of your body was developed on
every point save as to the expediency oil
coupling the proposed action with formal
recognition of the republic of Cuba as the
true and lawful Government OF that islanc
"a proposition winch failed OF adoption
the Congress, aft,r conference, on the 18th
OF April. by q vote OF AZ to 50 in the Senate
and 81 TO 6 in 4 . House OF Representa-
tives. passed their memorable Joint resolu-
tion.
The message continues by saying that a
CODY 81 the resolutions was at once COM
municated to the spanish Minister at Wash
ington. who Immediately demanded his
PASSPORTS. They we're given to him, and
the Spanish interests were left in the pro-
lection OF the French Ambassador and the
Austrian Hungarian Minister.
simultaneously with the notice OF the
a., oh ;nis
text vas cabled to General Stewart l..
Woodtord, the American Minister at Mad
rid, who was TO communicate it to the
Spanish Government. Before he could do
so the Spanish Minister OF State notified
him that, upon the Presidents approval oil
the Joint resolution, the Madrid Govern
ment, Regarding the act as equivalent to
an evident declaration Of war;" had or
dered its Minister in Washington to with
draw, thereby breaking off diplomatic re-
lations between the two countries and
ceasirg all Official communication between
their respective representatives,. General
Woodford thereupOn demanded his pass
ports and Quilted Madrid the same day.
The President reviews the preparations
tt le beginning of hostilities. Spain
hayu4-, initiated the war, blockade OF the
north coast OF Cuba was proclaimed, and
the call for volunteers was issued. The
various Governments were notified OF the
existence of war, in order that their neu-
trality might be assured. The response to
the initial call for 1875 900 troops was instant
and complete, and second call for rs, ,OOC
additional volunteers was issued.
Tao navy is, referred to, showing its con-
dition when war was declared, as we'll as
the means employed to protect the Atlantic
seaboard and the cities lying along the
coast from any possible attack. The coast
Signal Service was organized and an auXii'
iarv fleet created, which was otticered and
manned by the naval militia Of the several
States. Mines We're also laid in the yari'
Gus harborS.
The work Of the Signal Corps is referred
to, it being of an important character.
Electrical connections OF all coast fortiii-
cations were established, as well rs tele'
phonic and telegraphic facilities for the
camps at Manila, Santiago and Porto Rico
Field teIesraIh lines were established and
maintained under the enemy's fire at Man
liza. \ cable ship was placed in Cuban
waters, which rendered service that
was Invaluable to the Executive in con-
Quoting tho operations OF the army
and navy. The expenditure OF the
| $50. .OO] 900 defense fund is dwelt upon
1t helped tie Government to strengthen
! the defenses Of the country and to make
adequate Preparations for war. Ths pop
ular loan u $500, 900 900, which was sub
scribed to SO promptly, is mentioned e:
showing the vnst resources OF the nation
| aud tie determination of the people to up
hold the conntry's honor.
The President states that 1t Is moi
within tho 3rovince Of the message to mar
rate the history OF the extraordinary wal
with Spain, and mentions the first enSage
ment, which took place April "a, when
detachment OF the blockading squadron
| of Cuba sbeIled the harbor fort and de-
mollshed several new works which were
| lbeingeonstructed at Matanzas. The mes
sage Continues as follows:
Dewey's Glorious Victory at Manila.
! The neNt engagement was destined t
mark a II eIrorable epoch i'm maritime war
| fare. The elPacific fleet, under Commodore
| George De wey. had lain for some weeks a
! Hong Gonk. Upon the colonial proclama
| tion OF neutrality being issued and the Gus
! tomarT tHenty-four hours notice beini
given, il repaired to Mrs Bay, near Hons
/ Kong, whd nee it proceeded to the Philip
pine Islands under telegraphed orders t,
capture Jd destroy the formidable Spanis
aect then assembled at Manila. AT DAY
break IN the 1st Of May the American fore
entered MEtuila Bay, and after few hours
! enCactmeiIt effected total destruction o
I the Sfanish fleet, consisting Of ten war
ships tndI transport, besides capturing
! the na;al Istation and forts at Cavite, thu