Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1898-12-07

incident of the war that the bravery Of
| this little band of heroes was cordially
appreciated by the Spanish admiral
The campaign of Santiago, resulting in
the Investment and the capture of that
city, is referred to as a brilliant achieve
ment. A brief review is then presented
of the decisive naval combat Of the war
| on July ), resulting in the complete de-
struction of Admiral Cervera's fleet. Con-
corning it the President says: "Where
all so conspicuously distinguished them
| selves, from the commanders to the gun
| nerS and the unnamed heroes in the boil
| er rooms, each and all contributing to-
ward the achievements of this astound-
| ing victory, for which neither ancient nor
| modern history affords a parallel in the
| completeness of the event and the mar
vicious disproportion of casualties it
would be lnVidious to single out any one
! for special honor
| In this connection the President saws:
Nor can we be unmindful of the achieve
| ments of our builders, mechanics and az
tlsans for their part i'll the construction
| OF our warships."
Tribute to Dead Heroes.
AS to the success gained by the arms of
! the United States in Cuba, the President
| says that the earnest and lasting graft
| tude OF the nation is unsparingly due
| Nor should we alone remember the gal
| lantry of the living; the dead claim our
| tears and our losses by battle and disease
! must cloud any eXultation at the results
and teach us the awful cost of war, how
ever rlghtful the cause or signal the vic
| tory"
! The total casualties in killed and wound
ed IN the army during the war with Spain
We're: Officers killed, %; enlisted men
| Killed, 2ol; total $50; officers wounded,
ID: enlisted men wounded, 1864; total,
1917; of the navy: Killed, II; wound
! ed, 81: died as result of wounds, /: in
Vallded 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 block
! ade and bOmbardment and more than So
! OOO OF our troops were transported to dis
| tant lands and We're engaged in assault
| and siege and battle and many skirmishes
IN unfamiliar territory, we lost in both arms
| or the service q total of 1868 killed and
! wounded; and in the entire campaign by
| land and sea we did not lose u gun or a
! nag or a transport, or Il ship. and with the
| exception of the crew of the Merrimac
not 4 soldier or sailor was taken prison.
| er.
The President bears testimony and pays
| nttlng tribute Ito the patriotism and deyo-
! ton OF that large portion of our army
Which, although eager to be ordered to the
| post OF greatest exposure. fortunately was
( not required outside of the United States"
The did their whole duty and earned
the gratitude of the nation. The presi-
! dent then says: 'tIn tracing those events
! we are constantly reminded of our Obli-
! cations to the Divine Master for His
! Watch1ul care over us and His safe guild
| ance, for which the nation makes rever-
| ent acknowledgment and offers humble
! prayer for the continuance Of His ia
| YOrS."
Peace Negotiations.
| The peace negotiations which followed
| soon after the capitulation Of Santiago
| and the preparation and signing Of the
protocol are discussed at length. Re
| feIrlng to the work of the peace commits
| siOners in Paris the President says
These negotiations have made hopeful
/ progress, that | trust soon to be able
| to lay definite treaty before the Senate
With review of the steps leading to its
| signature.
Il do not discuss at this time the gov
eminent tenure of the new possessions
! which will come to US as the result of
! the war with Spain. Such discussion
| Will be appropriate after the treaty of
peace shall be ratified. In the meantime,
and until the Congress has legislated 9TH
erWise, it will be my duty to continue the
military governments which have existed
since cur occupation and give TO the peO-
pie security in life and property and en-
enlargement under Il just and benetcent
rule.
''As soon rs we are in possession of
Cuba and have pacitied tie island it viii
be necessary to give aid and directions to
Its people to form government for them
selves. This should be undertaken at the
earliest moment consistent with safety
and assured success 1t is important that
our relations with this people shall be Of
the most friendly character and our COM
mercial relations close and reciprocal. L
should be our duty to assist in every
proper way TO build up the waste places
OF the islands, encourage the industry Of
! the people and assist them to form gov
eminent which shall be free and indie
pendent, thus realizing the best aspira-
tons of the Cuban people.
Spanish rule must be replaced by
! just, benevolent and humane government.
created by the people of Cuba, capable
of performing all international Obligations
and which shall encourage thrift, industry
and prosperity and promote peace and
goodwill among all of the inhabitants.
whatever may have been their relations in
| the past. Neither revenge nor passion
| should have a place in the new govern
! ment. Until there is complete tranQuilli-
| ty in the island and stable government in
| augurated military occupation will be con-
! tinued.'
Other Foreign Relations.
| The president says that with one eX-
ceDtion, the rupture with Spain, the in
tercourse of the United States with the
great family Of nations during the past
| year has been marked with cordially.
Concerning negotiations with the Argen-
| tine government, initiated with a view
70 removing differences in cable rate
charges imposed against messages pass
ing from and to the United States the
| President expresses his sincere desire for
an international agreement whereby in
terchange of messages over connecting
lines may be regulated on u fair basis of
uniformity, and adds:
1T Wonld be strange were the nations
not in time brought to realize that modern
civilization, which owes SO much of its
progress to the humiliation of time By the
electrical force, demands that this al-im-
portant means of communication be heri-
tage of all peoples, to be administered and
regulated in their common behalf"
To the killing and wounding of strik-
ing miners in Luzerne county, Pa, which
aroused the solicitude of the Austro-Hu UNI
garlan government, many of the miners
being subjects of that government, the
President expects to reach harmonious
understanding on the subject with Aus