Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1898-12-12

of the war the president reviews them
carefully. The first encounter was the
Smelling of Matanzas, April 27 This
was followed by an engagement "des-
tined to mark a memorable epoch in
maritime warfare" This was Commo-
dore Dewey's victory at Manila May l.
The effect of this remarkable victory,
says the president, upon the spirit of
our people and the fortunes of war
was instant. The prestige of invinci-
bility thereby attached to our arms,
continued throughout the struggle"
The president says that "only reluc-
lance to cause needless loss of life
and property prevented the early
storming and capture of Manila and
Herewith the absolute military oc-
cupancy of the whole group OF ISL
ands." Following the memorable
trip of the battleship Oregon from
San Francisco to Key West and the
bombardment of San Juan, Porto
Rico, and of Santiago, to which .spe-
cial reference is made, the president
says: "The next act in tl.N war thrilled
not alone the hearts or our country
5nen but of the world, by it's excep-
tional heroism. On the night of June
8, Lieut.. Hobson, aided by seven vol
unteers, blocked the outlet of San
iago harbor by sinking the collier
Merrimac in the channel, under a
fierce fire from the shore batteries,
escaping with their lives by a miracle,
but falling into the hands of the
Spaniards. 1t is gratifying incident
of the war that the bravery of this
little band of heroes was cordially ap-
preciated by the Spanish admiral.
The campaign of Santiago, resulting
in the investment and capture of the
city, is referred to as a brilliant
achievement. A brief review is then
presented to the decisive naval COM
bat of the war in July, resulting in the
complete destruction of Cervera's
fleet. Concerning it the president
says: Where all so conspicuously
distinguished themselves, from COM
manders to gunners and unnamed
heroes in the boiler rooms, each and
all contributing toward the achieve
ment of this astounding victory for
which neither ancient nor modern his
tory affords a parallel in the complete
ness of the event and the marvellous
disproportion of casualties, it would be
invidious to single out any one for
special honor"
AS to the success gained by the arms
of the United States in Cuba the pres
ident say that the earnest, lasting
gratitude of the nation is unsparingly
DUE Nor should we alone remem-
Der the gallantry of the living. The
dead claim our tears, and our losses
by battle and disease must cloud any
exultation at the result and teach us
the awful cost of war, however right
full the cause or signal the victory"
The total casualties, killed and
wounded, in the army during the war
with Spain is: Officers killed, %;
enlisted men killed, 257; total 280; Of
ficers wounded, 113; enlisted men
wounded, 1,464; total 1,577; of the
navy killed, II; wounded, 81; died of
wounds 1, invalided from service 6; to-
tai 81. Let it be observed that
while our navy was engaged in two
perilous undertakings in blockade and
bombardment, and more than $4,000 of
our troops were transported to distant
lands and engaged in assault siege and
battle and many skirmishes in UNI
familiar territory, we lost in both
branches of the service total
of only 1868 killed and
wounded; and in the entire cam
paign by land and sea not the loss of a
gun, flag, transport or ship, and, with
the exception of the crew of the Mer-
rimac, not a soldier or sailor was
taken prisoner. The president bears
testimony and pays fitting tribute
to the patriotism and devotion of that
large portion of our army which, al
though eager to be ordered to the post
of greatest exposure, fortunately was
not required outside of the United
States They did their whole duty
and earned the gratitude of the nation
The president then says: ''In tracing
these, events we are constantly re-
minded of our obligations to the Di-
vine Master for His watchful 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"
The peace negotiations which fol-
lowed soon after the capitulation of
Santiago and the preparation and sign
ing of the protocol are discussed at
length. Referring to the work of the
peace commission in Paris, the presi-
dent says: These negotiations have
made hopeful progress, so that I trust
we will be able to lay definite treaty
before the senate with a review of
steps leading to its signature. I do not
discuss at this time the government or
tenure of the new possession which
will come to us as a result of the war
with Spain. Such a discussion will be.
appropriate after the treaty of peace
shall be ratified. Meantime, until
congress has legislated otherwise, it
will be my duty to continue the mill
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