The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1898-12-06

pfesiueht 20 take measures to secure n f,ll
sno hnai termination of hostilities no.
.weeh spain the people of Cuba and
~ secure 10 the island the establishments
OF a stable government, capable Of main.
taining order and observing its intern.
C'ohal obligations, insurin1 peace and
tranquility and the security Of ito ,;,;.
"ehs as III own, and for the a~ccomn,ish.
ment OF those ends to use the military and
naval forces of the United States as m;ght
be necessary, with added authoritv :"
commune generous relief to the starving
people Of Cuba.
The president then reviews the debate
IA upon tho Cuban resolutions.
enc h~otlIcation sent to Spain and the
presenting Of his passports to General
"oou'oro. Ihe proclamation Of q state
OF war, the blockade of Cuban ports. the
calls Tor volunteers and the response
Chereto' the lifting out of auxiliary cruis-
ers' tne alarm felt along the Atlantic
co"sC' the Inauguration of the coast sig
M, service, the mining of harbors is de-
U"lieu. The work of the signal CORDS.
un"er which q large mileage Of military
Ceiegraph lines was constructed ia espc.
claiiy praised. The authorization of bonds
10 the amount of S4OO,O OO, 600 and the loan
OF ao,OOO,0W, and the prompt in
which 1t was subscribed are mentioned
Brief Recital Appropriate.
IL Is not within the province of this mes
sage to narrate the history of the extraor-
uihary war that followed the Spanish dec
iaration of April 2lst, but a brief recital
ou us more salient features Is appropriate.
Inc first encounter Of the war, in point of
oate, took place April q, when u detach-
mont OF the blockading squadron made a
reconnaissance In force at Mantanzas,
shelled the harbor forts and demolished
several new works in construction.
The Engagement at Manila Hay.
Inc next engagement was destined to
marx a memorable epoch In maritime
warfare. The Pacific fleet, under Comma
dore George Dewey, had lain for some
weeks at Hong Kong. Upon the colonial
proclamation Of neutrality being issued
n the customary "a hours notice being
given, 1t repaired to Mrs bay near Hong
nong, whence 1t proceeded to the Philip.
pine islands, under Geographic orders to
capture or destroy the formidable Spanish
neet then assembled at Manila. At day
break on May l the American force
entered Manila bay, and after a few hours
engagement effected tho total destruc-
uon OF the Spanish fleet, consist
ing Of 10 warships and q transport,
besides capturing the naval station and
forts at Cavite, thus annihilating the
Spanish naval power in the Pacific ocean.
ana completely controlling the bay of
Manila, with the ability to take the city
at will. Not II life was lost on our ships,
the wounded only numbering seven, while
not u vessel was materially injured. For
TINS gallant achievement the congress,
upon my recommendation, fifty bestowed
upon the actors prcferment and substan-
tial recognition. The result of this re-
markablc victory upon the spirit of our
people and upon the fortunes of the war
was instantaneous. A prestige of invinci-
bility thereby attached to our arms,
which continued throughout the struggle.
Rcinforccments were started to Manila
under the command Of Major General
Merritt and firmly established within
sight OF the capital, which lay helpless be-
fore u guns. On the 7th day of May
the government was advised officially of
the victory at Manila and ut once in
quircd OF the commander Of our feet what
troops would be required. The informa-
ton was received on the 18th day Of May
and the first army expedition sailed May
% and arrived off Manila June 81. Other
expeditions soon followed, the total force
consisting Of 64l officers and 25 .O5S men.
Only reluctance to cause needless loss
Of life and property prevented the early
sfpr,ninv and cnytura nf fha city md
Herewith the absolute military occupancy
of the group.
Following the comprehensive scheme of
general attack, powerful forces were as
sembled ut various points on our coast to
invade Cuba and Porto Rico. Meanwhile
naval demonstrations were made at sew
cral exposed points.
On May Is, the North Atlantic squad
ron shellcd San Juan de Porto Rico.
On May 30, Commodore Schley's squad
ron bombardcd the forts guarding the
mouth Of Santiago harbor. Neither at
tack had any material result. 1t was evil
dent that we'll ordered land operations
were Indispensable to achieve u decisive
advantage.
The preliminary Cuban campaign Is
next detailed, including the blockade of
Santiago harbor, with Cervera's fleet in
side. The hcroism Of Hobson and his
companions is especially mentioned rs
thrilling the hearts no only Of Ameri-
cans, but Of the world rs we'll" The
landing Of Skaters army and the de-
struction of Ccrvera's fleet. are tersely |
comprehensively reviewed.
Tho destruction of the fleet Of Cervera's
vessels virtually broke SPANS sea power
and only u spasmodic effort was made to
it. Tho attack ON Santiago and
the surrender of that place quickly fol-
lowed the achievement Of the Atlantic
squadron. Following this came the &C. !!
Of Porto Rico. the remarkable
being the cordially with which
the American troops were received by the
native population Of that island.
Second Battle Of Manila.
The last scene of the a was enacted
Mt Manila, its starting place. On Aug. 10,
after a brief assault upon the works by
tho Land forces, In which the squadron as
aisted, tho capital surrendered uncondi-
The casualties wore COMPARE
lively icw. BY this victory the conquest
At tho philippine islands. virtually accom-
whom the Spanish capacity for re-
sistance was destroyed by Admiral Dew
eve victory Of May l, wal formally sealed.
General Merritt, his officers and men,
. Al.a. urcomulainin0 and devoted