The record-union., 1898-12-06
handed his passports and quilted Ma

WAR DECLARED.
Spain, having thus denied the de-
mand of the United States and initi-
ated that complete form of rupture of
relations which attends state of war,
the executive powers authorized by the
| resolution were used by me to meet
the enlarged contingency of actual
war between Spain and the United
States. On April 22d, 1 proclaimed
blockade of the northern coast of
Cuba, including ports on said coast
between Cardenas and Bahia Honda,
and the port OF Cienfuegos on the
south coast of Cuba: and on the 23d
l called for volunteers TO execute the
purpose of the resolution. BY my
| message of April 25th, the Congress
was Informed of the situation. and 1
recommended formal declaration Of the
existence of a state of war between
the United States and Spain. The Con-
gress accordingly voted on the same
day the Act approved April %, 1888,
declaring the existence of such war
from and including the 21stof April and
enacted the approval of the resolution
of April 21st, directing the President
| to use all the armed force of the ma
notification of the existence of war as
aforesaid was given April 25th by tele-
| graph to all the Governments with
which the United States maintained
relations, in order that their neutrality
might be assured during the war The
various Governments responded, with
| proclamationS of neutrality, each after
its own methods. It is among the most
Crrnf fxyfy 90
! that the obligations were impartially
discharged by ALL often under delicate
and difficult circumstances.
! In further fulfillment of international
duty, I issued on April 26th a procla-
nation announcing the treatment pro-
posed to be accorded to vessels and
their cargoes as to blockade, contra
band, the exercise of the right of sub
/ jects and the immunity of neutral
| flags and neutral goods under the en-
emy's flag. A similar proclamation
was made by the Spanish Government
In the conduct of hostilities the rules
of the declaration of Paris, including
abstention from resort to privateering,
| have accordingly been observed by
both belligerents, although neither was
a party to that declaration.
| AN INSTANT RESPONSE
| Our country, thus, after an interval
of half a century of peace with all
nations, found itself engaged in deadly
conflict with a foreign enemy Every
| nerve was strained to meet the emer-
gency., The response to the initial call
! for 125, 600 volunteers was instant and
| complete, as was also the result of
the second call of May 9th for $4,000
additional volunteers. The ranks of
the regular army were increased to
the limits provided by the Act of April
I'D. The enlisted force of the navy,
on the 10th of August, when it reached
| its maximum, numbered "a, 1913 men
and apprentices. One hundred and
three vessels were added to the navy by
purchase one was presented to the Gov
ernment, one leased, and the four yes
| sells of the international Navigation
| Company-the st. Paul, ST. Louis, New
York and Paris-were chartered. In
addition to this, the. revenue cutters
and lighthouse tenders were turned
over to the navy. = tp
| NAVY'S FIGHTING. FORCE.
The maximum effective fighting force
OF the navy during the war, separated
into classes, was as follows: /,
| Four battleships of the first class, /
battleship of the second class, 2 arm
ored cruisers, coastadefense monitors,
i armored ram, II protected cruisers. 3
unprotected cruisers, Is gunboats,
dynamite cruiser, IL torpedo boats, IA
old vessels of the old navy, including
monitors. Auxiliary navy: Auxiliary
cruisers-2S converted yachts, 27 con-
verted tugs, 10 converted colliers, rev.
enue cutters, lighthouse tenders and
IL miscellaneous vessels
| PRECAUTIONS TAKEN.
| Much alarm was felt along the entire
Atlantic seacoast lest an attack might
be made by the enemy. Every precau-
tion was taken to prevent possible in
jury to our great cities lying along the
coast. Temporary garrisons were pro-
vided, drawn from the State militia, in
fantry and light batteries were drawn
from the volunteer force. About L, 600
troops We're thus employed The Coast
Signal Service was established for OBJ
serving the approach of an enemy's ship
to the coast Of the United States and
the lighthouse service co-operated
which enabled the Navy Department to
have all portions of the Atlantic Coast,
from Maine to Texas, under observa-
/ Ition
The auxiliary navy was created under
the authority of Congress and was Off
cered and manned by the naval militia
of the several States. This organization
patroled the coast and performed the
duty of a second arm Of defense.
/ Under the direction of the Chief En-
gineer submarine mines were placed at
the most exposed points. Before the war
permanent mining easements and cable
galleries had been constructed at all i'm
pcrtant harbors Most of the torpedo
material was not to be found in the
market and had to be specially manu-
factured.
Under date of April 10Th, district Of
ficers were directed to take all prelimi-
nary measures, short Of the actual at
taching of the loaded mines to the
cable, and on April 22d, telegraphic
orders were issued to place the loaded
mines In position.
| The aggregate number of mines
placed was 1856 at the principal har-
bors from Maine to California Prep
arations were also made for the plant
| ing of mines at certain other harbors
but owing TO the early destruction Of
the Spanish fleet, these mines were not
placed
LINES OF COMMUNICATION.
! The Signal Corps was promptly
organzed and performed service of the
most difficult and important character
It's operations during the war covered
| the electrical connection of all coast
Notifications. the establishment of tele-
Y