The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1898-09-16
WHOSE WAR WAS TIP

Hon. C. S. Varian, in his mastery
address upon taking the chair at the
Democratic state convention, made a
remark concerning the conduct of the
war which viii appeal to every intelli-
gent patriot in the land. and particu-
larly to all whose sons, husbands and
brothers answered to the bugle call.
This has been a glorious war;" he
said, but net war Of the war depart
ment''
AS the details are day by. day re-
vealed, as the history of each battle
is told, as the returning braves repeat
upon the American mind that this has
been soldiers and a sailors war.
Its one sharp battle on land was
soldiers battle. 1t was not won by
strategy. 1t was not won by the aid
of military genius. The land fighting
was begun by a handful OF marines at
Guantanamo, who held their own
against great odds, neglected by the
war department, but undismayed. For
reasons which have never been ex-
planned, the troop-laden transports
III O1lllSCQ III IGliGl were uGldlnCQ
orders on the Florida coast.
The battle of Santiago, the great land
battle of the war, was a soldiers bat
tie. 1t was won by the grim determin-,
alton, the staying qualities, of the men
and officers in the field They turned
defeat into victory; the circumstances
and conditions gave to the men on the
fI< hal r..
all alike, each in his allotted rank: but
the credit does not extend in the same
degree to the officers of the staff or to
the war department.
Regulars and volunteers touched ell
bows at every angle of the bloody
field, endured the hardships of the
trenches and faced the dangers of the
charge together
1t was a battle in which fate seemed
to take the decision out of the hands
of staff commanders, and to leave it
to the personal valor of the line
The battle of Manila, which stands
almost alone in naval history, was an
achievement, the success of which
astonished the war department and the
world alike. 1t was a sailors battle.
It was not fought under the direction
Of board of strategy, or according to
any rule adopted outside of the vic
torious fleet. Entrance to the harbor
was forced in spite of warnings, the like
of which delayed operations in Santi-
ago bay, and in violation of the peace
full blockade" order which caused the
gallant caapoan To chafa before Havana
The victory off the Cuban coast,
which practically closed the war, which
made Spain sue for peace, was the re-
suit of an accidental encounter not
planned by department or even ex-
pected by the commanding officer CT the
American fleet. The flagship was alb
sent when Cervera made his sortie, the
admiral engaged with the larger STRAIT
egg of the combined attack. But in
slant adaptation to every emergency,
the discipline of the men and the Hob
son courage which thrilled the heart
of every one, changed surprise into ag-
gression, and success into the total
humiliation of the enemys fleet.
1t was a war of earnest. intelligent
patriotism, and sheer, hard fighting,
which left no room for strategy
planned outside of the force engaged.
1t was war waged by determined
men, for whose welfare, sustenance
and hospital care an incompetent de-
partment had made inadequate pro-
vision.
1t was soldiers and sailors war.