The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-12-06
PRESIDENTS
MESSAGE.

Atlantic aeaboard lest some attack
might DO made by the enemy. Every pre-
caution was taken to prevent possible IN
Jury TO eur great cities lying along the
coast. Temporary garrisons were pro
vlded. drawn from the state militia
infantry and light batteries were drawn
from tho volunteer force. ABOUT i-V0'
troops were thus employed.
The coast signal service was es'do'isneu
for observing the approach OF an enemy ;
ships TO the coast OF the United states
and the life-saving and lighthouse ser
vices co-operatei which enabled the
NAVY Department, 10 have all portions or
the Atlantic coast-from Maine to Texas
--under observation.
NAVAL ESERVES.
The auxiliary navy was created uhoeT
dhe authority Of Congress and was OF
nceree and manned by the naval militia
OF the several States. This organization
nsfrolled the coast and performed the
duty OF n second line OF defence.
Under the direction Of the Chief OF En-
eineers submarines mines were placed
a, the most exposed points Before the
outbreak OF the war permanent mining
casemates and cable galleries had been
constructed at nearly all important har-
bors Most OF the torpedo material was
not 10 be found in the market and had
10 be specially manufactured. under
date OF April 10Th district officers were
directed 10 take preliminary measures
short OF the actual attaching or the loao-
ed mines 10 the cables. and on Aprli ga
telegraphic orders were issued TO place
the loaded mines in position.
The aggregate number OF mines placeu
u,as 575 AT the principal harbOrs from
Maine 10 California. Preparations were
also made for the planting OF mines NJ
certain other haIbors. but owing TO the
earlv destruction Of the Spanish Meet the
mines were not placed.
WORK OF SIGNAL CORPS'
Tho signal corps was promptly organ
t1cd and performed service Of the most
difficult and important character lts
onerations during the war coVer.u tIo
electrical connection at all coast iortln-
cations: the establishment of telephohlc
and telegraphic facilities Tor the c1; i
AZ Manila. Santiago and In Porto RICO
The~e we're constructed 800 miles OF line
a, ten great camps. thus facilitating mill
.arv movements from these points IN
,nonner heretofore unknown In military
oar,inistration. Field telegraph lines
,,cre established and maintained under
The enemy's fire at Manila and later the
Manila Hong Kong cable was re-openec
In porto Rico cable communications
were opened over discontinued route
and on land the headquarters OF the com
,,.a,dire, oNicer was kept I'm Geographic
or telephone communication with the di-
,Ss,or commanders on four different lines
OF operations. -. .
There was placed in Cuban waters
counietelv QUILTED cableship. cable and
cable gear. suitable both for the desIruc-
ton 81 communications belonging 70 the
enemy and the establishment OF our own.
Two ocean cables were destroyed under
~ a,euv's batteries at Santiago. the
dav previous TO the landing of General
cnafter's corps AT Caimanera, withln
twenty miles Of the landing place CAME
communications were estabhsneu anu I"
cable station opened giving direct com
,,rrtcatlon with the government AT
washington. This service was inValu-
otJe IN tho Executive I'm directing the
onorafions Of the army and navy
with a total force OF over l.39 me ios ,
ras nv disease in camp and field, OH
Gers ard men included. only I'VE.