, 1898-12-07

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To those who gained his complete tri-
umph which established the a~scendancy
of the United States upon land, as the
fight off Santiago had fixed u suprem-
acy on the seas, the earnest and lasting
gratitude of the nation is unsparingly
due. Nor should we alone remember the
gallantry of the living-the lead claim
our tears and our losses by battle and dis
ease must cloud any exultation at the re-
suit and teach us to weigh the awful cost
OF war, however rightful the cause or sig
nal the victory.
Campaign In Porto Rico.
With the fall of Santiago, the occupa-
ton of Porto Rico became che next STRAIT
egic necessity. General Miles had pre-
viously been assigned to organize IN ex
petition for that purpose. Fortunately,
he vas already at santiago. where he had
arrived on the 18th of July, with reinforce
ments for General Skaters army.
With these troops, consisting of 3,l45
infantry and artillery, two companies of
engineers and one company of the signal
corps, General Miles left Guantanamo on
July 81, having nine transports, conveyed
by the fleet Under Captain Higginson,
with the Massachusetts (fiagship). Dixie,
Gloucester, Columbia and Yale, the two
latter carrying troops. The expedition
landed at Guanica July 25, which port was
entered with little opposition. Here the
fleet was joined by the Annapolis and
Wasp, while the Puritan and Amphitrite
went to San Juan and joined the New
Orleans, which was engaged in blockud-
ing tina port. TIT major general com
manding was subsequently reinforced by
General Schwan's brigade of the Third
army corps, by General Wilson with u part
of his division and also by GeIeral Brooke
with u part of his corps, numbering in all
l6,973 men and officers. On July % he en-
tered Ponce, one of the most important
ports in the island, from which he there
after directed the operations for the cap
ture of the sland.
With the exception of the ncounter
with the enemy at Guantanamo, Hermit
guereZ, Goamo and Yauco and an attack
on u force landed mt Cape San Juan, there
was no serious resistance. The campaign
was prosecuted with great yigor and by
| the 18th of August much of the island was
in our possession and the acquisition Of
the remainder was only a matter Of II
short tilre c. At mo of the points in the
island our troops were enthusiH stically
welcomed. Protestations of loyalty to tho
flag and gratitude for delivery from Span
ish rule met our commanders at every
stage. As II potent influence toward
peace, the outcome of the Porto Rican
expedition was OF great consequence, and
generous commentator is due to those
Who participated in 1t.
Capture of Manila.
The last scene of the war was enacted
at Manila, its starting place. On Aug. TO-,
after n brief assault upon the works by
the land forces. in which the squadron as
sisted, the capital uncondi-
tionally. The casualties were compare
lively few. By this the conquest of the
Philippine islands, virtually accomplished
when the Spanish capacity for resistance
was destroyed by Admiral Dcwey's vic
sealed. To General Merritt, his officers
and men for their accomplishing, devoted
services, for their gallantry IL action, the
nation Is sincerely grateful. Their long
voyage was made with singular success
and the soldierly conduct OF the men,
many Of whom were without previous
experience in the military service, de-
serves unmcasured praise.
The total casualties in killed and
wounded during the war was as follows:
Officers killed, %; enlisted men killed,
257; total, $50; officers wounded, l13; en-
OF the navy, killed, II, wounded, 81;
died as result of wounds, /; invaded
from service, 9; total, 81,
1t will be observed that while our navy
WAS engaged in two great battles, and in
numerous pcrilous undertakings in the
blockades and bombardments and more
thar $1,000 of our troops were transported
to distant lands and engaged In assault
and siege and battle and many skirm-
ishes in unfamiliar territory, we lost in
both arms of the service u total Of l,66S
killed and wounded; and in the entire
campaign by land and sea we did not lose
q gun or q flag or a transport or u ship,
and with the exception of the crew of the
Merrimac not IA soldier or sailor was taken
prisoner.
On Aug: z, 4s days from the date of the
landing of General Skaters army in
Cuba and 81 days from the surrender of
Santiago, the United States troops COM
menced embarkation for home. and our
entire force was returned to the United
States as early as August "a. They We're
months.
Praise For Those In Camp.
1t Is fitting that l should bear testi-
mony to the patriotism and devotion of
that large portion OF our army which,
although eager to be ordered to the post
of creates, exposure, fortunately was not
REQUIRED outside of the United States.
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 depart
ments and stations of the navy perform
ing most important duties connected
with the war. and whose requests for
assignment in the field and at sea 1t was
necessary to refuse because their services
were Indispensable here, are entitled to
the highest commentator. 1t is my re-
greet hat there seems to be no provision
for their suitable recognition.
In this connection 1t is IA pleasure for
me to Mention in terms of cordial appro-
baton the timely and useful work of the
American National Red Cross, both in
relief measures preparatory to the cam.
paigns, In sanitary assistance at Sc era
Of the camps of asscmblage, n later,
under the careful and experienced leader
ship of the president Of the society. Miss
Clara Barton, on the fields of battle and
in tho hospitals at the front in Cuba.
Working in conjunction with the govern
mental authorities and under their sane
ton and approval, and with the enthusi
ostic CO. operation of many patriotic
women sOcierics in the various states, the
Red Gross fully maintained It's already
high reputation for intense earnestness
and ability to exercise the noble purposes
Of its organization, thus justifying the
confidence and support which 1t has re-
ceived Mt the hands of the American peo-
Pile. To the members and officers OF this
society and all who aided them in their
philanthropic work the sincere gratitude
Of the soldiers n public is due and is
fully accorded.
In tracing these events we are con
stantly reminded of our obligations to
the Divine Master for his wntchf,Il care
over us and His safe guidance. for which
the nation makes reverent acknowledge
ment and offers humble prayer for the
continuance Of His favor.
Negotiations For Peace.
The humiliation of Admiral Cervera's
feet, followed by the capitulnsion of San
tiago, having brought to the Spanish gov
eminent u realizing sense OF the hopeless
ness of continuing a struggle now becom'
ing wholly unequal, II made pvcrtures OF
peace throu III the French ambassador
who, with the assent of his government,
had acte as II friendly representative OF
Spain's interests during the war. On the