The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1898-12-06

Spanish minister Of state notified hirn
that upon the presidents approval OF
the joint resolution the Madrid govern
ment, regarding the act as equivalent
TO an evident declaration OF war, mad
ordered it's minister In Washington to
withdraw. thereby breaking on dipio-
matte relations between the two coun-
tries and ceasing all official communi-
cation between their respective coun-
tries. General WoodfOrd thereupon de-
handed his passports and quilted Mad
rid on the same day.
Beginning Of the War.
Spain. having thus denied the demand
OF the United States and Initiated that
complete form of rupture or relations
which attends a state OF war. the exc
cutive powers authorized by the reso- |
luton were used by me to meet the
enlarged contingency OF actual war be-
tween Span and the united states. On
April % 1 proclaimed a blockade OF
the northern coast Of Cuba, including
ports on said coast between Cardenas
and Bahia Honda. and the port of
Cienfuegos, on the south coast OF
Cuba; and on the 23d I called for vol
unteers to execute the purpose or the
resolution. BY my message or April 70
the congress were informed or the SIT.
uation and I recommended a formal
1 dtldf u VI IL thiTNNhNI
Of war between the United States and
Spain. The congress accordingly voted
on the same day the act approved April
| %. 1898. declaring the existence OF such
war from and including the list DAY OF
April, and re-enacted the provision OF
April 20 authorizing the president TO
use the full armed force OF nation
TO carry IL out. Full notice OF the ex-
! istence of war as aforesaid was given
April % by telegraph TO all the gov
ernments with which the United states
maintained relations, in order that
their neutrality might be assured DUR
ing the war. The various governments
responded with proclamations of neu-
trality, each after its own methods. IL
is not among the least gratifying Incl
dents OF the struggle that the obliga-
tions of neutrality were importantly
discharged by all. often unde delicate
and difficult circumstances.
In further fulhllment of international
duty I issued. April 20, a proclamation
announcing the treatment proposed to
be accorded to vessels and their car
goes as TO blockade, contraband, the
exercise of the right of subjects and
the mmunit of neutral flags and neu-
trail goods under the enemy's flag. "A
similar proclamation was made by the
Spanish government. In the conduct
of hostilities the rules of the declara-
ton of Paris, including abstention from
resort to privateering, have accordingly
been observed by both belligerents. al
though neither was a party TO that
declaration.
Ready for Combat.
Our country thus, after an in
terval OF half a century OF peace
with all nations. found itself en-
gagged in deadly conflict with a
foreign Enemy. Every nerve was
strained to meet the emergency. The
response to the initial call for 12o,OOO
volunteers was instant and complete. as
was also the result OF tho second call OF
MAY s for 75, 900 additional volunteers.
The ranks OF the regular army were in
creased to the limits provided by the
act of April 23. The enlisted force OF
the navy. on the 18th Of August, when IL
reached its maximum, numbered 2i.l23
men and apprentices. one hundred ana
three vessels were added to the navy
by purchase. one was presented to the
government. one leased and four Nes-
sells of the International Navigation
company, the st. Paul, 81. Louis, New
York and Paris. were chartered. In
addition to these the revenue cutters
and lighthouse tenders were turned
over 10 the navy department and be-
came temporarily a part Of the auxiliary
navy.
Fighting Force of the Navy.
The maximum effective force of the
navy during the war. separated INTO
classes. was as follows:
Four battleships OF the first class,
one battleship Of the second class.
two armored cruisers, six coast defense
monitors. one armored ram, II protect
ed cruisers. three unprotected cruisers,
is gunboats, one dynamite cruiser. IL
torpedo boats, IA vessels Of the old
navy. including monitors.
Auxiliary navy-AuNiliary cruisers:
rs converted yachts. % converted tugs,
10 converted golfers, four revenue cut
tiers. four light house tenders and -
miscellaneous vessels.
Much alarm was felt along the en-
tire Atlantic seaboard lest an attack
might be made by the enemy. Every
p%recautiOn was taken to prevent pos
sible injury to our great cities lying
along the coast. Temporary garrisons
were provided. drawn from the state
militia: infantry and light batteries
were drawn from the volunteer force.
About 1900 troops were thus m
ployei. The coast signal service was
established for observing the approach
of an cnemy's ship to the coast of the
United States. n the lighthouse serv-
ice co-operated. which enabled the navy
, department TO have all portions of the
Atlantic coast. from Maine TO Texas,
under observation.
The auxiliary navy was created un-
7 der the authority or consrtss anu was
differed and manned by the naval MILL
, tia of the several states. This organ
ization patrolled the coast and per-
formed the duty Of a second arm OF
defense.
Placing submarine Mines.
Under the direction OF the chief en-
gineer. submarine mines were placed at
/, the most exposed points. Beforethe war
: permanent mining classmates and cable
galleries had been constructed at all
:, important harbors. Most OF the torpe-
do material wa not to be found in the
market, and had to be specially man.
ufactured. Under date OF April 10 dis
, trict officers were directed 90 take all
: preliminary measures. short OF the lc-
|, tual attaching Of the loaded mines 10
: the cable. and IN April % telegraphic
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