The record-union., 1898-12-06

L
loyalty to the flag and gratitude for
delivery from Spanish rule met our
commanders at every stage. AS a po-
tent influence toward peace the out
come of the Porto Rican expedition was
Of great consequence and generous
commentators are due to those who
participated in it
THE LAST SCENE.
The last scene of the war was enact
ed at Manila, its starting place. On
August 10th, after brief assault upon
the works by the land forces, in which
the squadron assisted, the capital sur
rendered conditionally. The casualties
were comparatively few. BY this the
conquest of the Philippine Islands, vir-
tually accomplished when the Spanish
capacity for resistance was destroyed
by Admiral Dewey's victory on the 1st
of May, was formally scaled. To Gen
eral Merritt, his officers and men for
the uncomplaining and devoted SER
vices, for their gallantry in action, the
nation IS sincerely grateful. Their long
voyage was made with singular sue
cess and the soldierly conduct of the
men. of whom many were without pre-
deserves unmeasured praise.
The total casualties in killed and
wounded in the army during the war
listed men killed 257, total 80; officers
wounded 113, enlisted men wounded
.464; of the navy, killed II. wounded
81; died as result of wounds 1, invalid-
ed from service 6; total 81.
1t will be observed that while our
navy was engaged in two great battles
and in numerous perilouS undertakings
in the blockades and bombardments,
and more than 10000 of our troops
were transported to distant lands, and
engaged in assault and siege and bat-
tie and many skirnishes in unfamiliar
territory, we lost in both arms of the
service a total of 166S killed and
Wounded and in the entire campaign
by land and sea we did not lose a gun
.or a flag or a transport or a ship, and
with the exception of the crew of the
Merrimac, not a soldier or sailor was
taken prisoner.
On August 7th, forty-six days from
the date of landing of General Skaters
army in Cuba and twenty-one days
from the surrender of Santiago the
United States troops commenced en-
barkation for home, and our entire
force was returned to the United States
as early as August 24th They were
absent from the United States only two
months. 81. =
DID THEIR WHOLE DUTY.
1t is fitting that should testify to the
patriotism and devotion of that large
no rNF l.
eager to be ordered to the post of great
er exposure, fortunately was not re-
quired outside of the United States.
They did their whole duty, and, like
their comrades at the front, have
earned the gratitude of the nation. In
like manner the officers and men Of the
army and of the navy who remained in
their departments and stations of the
navy performing most important duties
connected with the war and whose re-
quests for assignment in the field and
at sea it was compelled to refuse be-
cause their services were indispensable
here, are entitled to the highest COM
mendationA 1t is my regret that there
seems to be no provision for their suit
able recognition.
RED CROSS PRAISED.
In this connection it is a. pleasure for
me to mention in terms of cordial ap-
probation the timely and useful work of
the American National Red Cross, both
in relief measures preparatory to the
campaigns, in sanitary assistance at
several of the camps of assemblage,
and later, under the able and expert
enced leadership of the President Of
the society, Miss Clara Barton, on the
fields of battle and in the hospitals at
the front in Cuba. Working in con-
junction with the Government authori-
ties and under their sanction and ap-
proval and with the enthusiastic CO.
operation Of many patriotic women and
societies in the various States, the Ped
Cross has fully maintained it's already
high reputation for intense earnestness
and ability to exercise the noble pur-
poses of it's organization, thus justify
ing the confidence and support which
it has received at the hands of the
American people. To the members
and officers of this society and all who
aided them in their philanthropic work,
the sincere and lasting gratitude of the
soldiers and the public is due and is
freely accorded. In tracing these
events we are constantly reminded of
our obligations to the Divine Master
for His watchful care over us and HIS
safe guidance, for which the nation
makes reverent acknowledgment ard
offers humble prayer for the continu-
ance of His favor.
OvERTURES FOR PEACE.
The humiliation Of Admiral Cervera's
fleet, followed by the capitulation of
Santiago, had brought to the Spanish
Government a realizing sense of the
hopelessness of continuing a struggle
now becoming wholly unequal, it made
overtures of peace through the French
Embassador, who, with the assent of
his Government, had acted as the
friendly representative of Spain's in
terests during the war. On the 26th
of July M. Cambon presented a COM
munication signed by the Duke of Al
modovar, the Spanish Minister of State,
inviting the United States to state the
terms upon which it would be willing
to make peace. On July Both, by a
communication addressed to the Duke
of Almodovar and handed to M. Cam
bon, the terms of this Government were
announced, substantially in the proto-
col, afterward signed. On August 10th
the Spanish reply, dated August 7th,
was handed by NJ Cambon to the Sec
retary of State. 1t accepted uncondi-
tionally the terms imposed as to Cuba,
Porto Rico and an island of the La
drone group, but appeared to seek to
introduce inadmissable reservations in
regard to our demand as to the Phil
ippines. Conceiving that discussion on