The times., 1898-09-19
/, CAPT. EVANS'S SPEECH.
A Returned OfHcer of the Navy Talks
About Soldiers.

Poughkeepsie. NY. Sept. 17.-At the in
vitation of relatives residing here Capt
Robley d. Evans consented to address a
| mass meeting at the opera house
a few night ago for the benefit
of a fund for the relief of sick
and suffering soldiers When the COM
mander of the Iowa appeared on the
platform he received a rousing welcome.
The audience numbering 2.009 people,
stood UP and applauded for several min
utes. Every mention by Capt. Evans of
the battle of Santiago was greeted with
great enthusiasm.
When introduced, Capt Evans said that
any government worth fighting for must
care for the brave men who leave their
wives and children. To face the bullets
of the enemy is the easiest part of 1t.
This drew forth great applause. He
said that if the nation ever learns this
lesson, then in the years to come the
necessity for such meetings as the one
held tonight would disappear Can't
Evans remarked that he was never
taught to make speech. but that all the
hard work at Santiago, all the sleepiess
nights, all the canned grub we had to
eat-aii Is forgotten. because every man.
woman, and child you meet loves you :"
(Applause)
II can assure YOU" he continued, sit is
most delightful sensation"
Referring to the battle again, he said
he really knew very little about it Most
OF the part of IL he saw at one end of
the bridge. 1t was very smoky and he
saw more of hts own ship than anything
else. Capt. Evans described the beautiful
appearance of Cervera's s fleet when il
emerged from Santiago harbor He said: !:
The Spanish vessels looked fine in their
beautiful coats of paint. But the men be-
hind the Spaniards' guns did not last
as well as ours"
Speaking OF his sensations when the
Spanish fleet was destroyed. Capt Evans
said;
IF you can imagine a basket OF cham
pagne compressed into a teaspoonful and
taken in one gulp you can imagine how
We felt. Oaughter.) 1t was most ex-
hilarating"
Capt Evans referred particularly to the
work of the Iowa in rescuing the dying
Spaniards. On the quick work of the
American gunners in practically destroy
ing the Spanish fleet in thirty-fiye min
ptes. he remarked:
That's what men behind the guns can
do when they really learn how"
He spoke of the brave Spaniards who
were chagrined at the loss of their ships
and the disgrace of their government
and said that their disappointment was
sad to see. But" he added I'VE were
all glad of II. had the good luck TO save
practically the entire crew of the Viz
caya. and had the pleasure of being Of
fered the sword of the commanding Off
Ger, which / declined tremendous ap-
pauss.) II there is anything / love in
the world next 10 an American sailor IL
Is a soldier If our country is ever at
tackled in the future l hope it Will find
us as ready as we were on the morning
of July 3, and as my friends (referring to
private of the Rough Riders who sat
behind HIM were on the morning of July
2, when they went over San Juan HILL"
loud applause)
Private VervaIin followed Capt Evans.
briefly phras!ng his Acknowledgements for
the honor done through him TO the Rough
Riders When he sat down Capt. Evans
leaned over him and encouraged him to
give his experiences at San Juan. This
aroused another scene of enthusiasm.
The Rev A. p. Van Gieson and the
Rev. George Clarke Cox also spoke. Capt
Evans Joined in the applause when Eng
land was referred to as "our mother"
and when Mr.. Cox said: I'VE extend
the heartfelt love of this city to that
grand old Confederate, Joe Wheeler"
and ''the army and navy from now on,
please God, will never fight on two sides.
only on one against every foe that
comes
The audience heartily cheered the prop
osition that the United States should well
come the Philippines for the same reason
that we went to war for the Cubans.