, 1898-12-07
THE MESSAGE


n-e operations m That q1ar1er sn5,.:l he
accomplished by the strong arm of the
United States alone. Obcying the stern
precept OF war, which ~enjoins the over
coming OF the adversary and the extinc-
ton Of his power wherever assailable. as
the speedy and sure means to win a peace,
divided victory was not permissible, for
no partition of the rights m RESPONSE
bilities attending the enforcement of u
just and advantageous peace could be
thought of. 4
Following the coming of the compre-
hensive scheme of general attack, power
full forces were assembled at various
points on our coast to invade Cuba and
Porto Rico. Meanwhile, naval demon
situations were made ut several exposed
points. On May II the cruiser Whining
ton and torpedo boat Winslow We're un-
successful In an attempt to silence the
batteries at Cardenas and against Matan-
zas, Ensign Worth Baglcy II four sea
men falling. These grievous fatalities
were strangely enough among the very
few which occurred during our naval OPP
erations In this extraordinary conflict.
Coming of Cervera.
Meanwhile the Spanish naval prepare
lions had been pushed with great vigor
A powerful squadron under Admiral Ger
vera, which had assembled at the Cape
Verde Islands before the outbreak of hos
tAAlLAOoy 6a ClooSCu Ut ctt Ill ny u
erratic movements in the Caribbean sea
delayed u military operations while
battling the pursuit of our fleets. For u
time fears were felt lest the Oregon and
Marietta, h nearing home, after their
long voyage from San Francisco of over
Ii, 1000 miles, might be surprised by Ad-
miral Cervera's fleet, but their fortunate
arrival dispelled the approximations and
brought the much needed reinforcements
Not until Admiral Cervera too refugJ
in:.the harbor of Sahtingo de Cuhn, abooi
May 8, was it practicable to plan n systc
matte military attack upon h Antillua
possessions of Spain.
Several demon stratious occurred on me
coast Of Cuba and Porto Rico, in prepar.
tions for the larger event. On May l3the
north Atlantic squadron shelleh "a
Jua de Porto Rico. on May 30 Comm"
dore Schley's squadron bombarded thd
forts guarding the mouth of Santlag9,
harbcr. Neither attack had any material
result. 1t was evident that well ordefci
land operations were Indispensable to
achieve a decided advantage.
The next act in the war thrilled not
alone the hearts of our countrymen nul
h world by its exceptional heroisln; On
the night Of June 8 Lieutenant Hobson,
aided by seven devoted ~olunteers,
blocked the narrow outlet from Santiago
harbor by sinking the collier Merrimac in
the channel under u fierce fire from the
shore batteries, escaping with their lives
Is by . miracle, but falling into the hands
Of the Spaniards. 1t Is u most gratifying
incident Of the war that the bravery OF
the little band of heroes was cordially
appreciated by the Spaniards, who sent a
dag Of truce to notify Admiral sampson
Of their safety and to compliment them
upon their daring act. They were subse-
quently exchanged July 2.
First Landing In Cuba.
By June z the cutting Of the last Cuban
cable isolated the island. Thereafter the
June 10, under u heavy protecting fire, a
landing force of 600 marines of the Orc
gon, Marblehead and Yankee was effected
In Guantanamo bay, where 1t had been
determined to establish u naval station.
This important and essential port was
ing by the marines, who y ere the first o.
ganized force of the United States to
land in Cuba.
The position 30 won was held despite
desperate attempts to dislodge our forces.
By June is additional forces We're landed
and strongly entrenched. On June -
the advance Of the invading army under
Major General Shafter landed in Bal
quiri, about 10 miles east of Santiago.
This wal accomplished under great diff
culties. but with marvellous dispatch. On
June 20 the movement against Santiago
was begun. On the Gath the first serious
engagement took place, in which the
First and Tenth cavalr' and the First vol
unteer cavalry, General Young's brigade
Of General Wheeler's division, partici-
pated, losing heavily. By nightfail, how
ever, ground within five miles Of Santi-
ago was won. The advantage was stead
ny increased. On July / a severe battle
took place, our force gaining the outer
works of Santiago and Ell Caney II San
Juan were taken after a desperate charge
and the investment of the city was com
pleted. The navy co-opernted BY smelling
the town and the oas forts.
Battle of July Third.
On the day following this brilliant
achievement of our lane forces, July 3.
occurred the decision of u ava combat of
the war. The Spanish fleet, attempting
to leave the hArbor, was met by the
American squadron under command OF
Admiral Sampson. In less than three
stroyed, the two torpedo boats sunk and
the Maria Teresa, Almirante Oquendo,
Vizcaya and Cristobal Colon driven
ashore. the Spanish admiral and
Owe 1890 men were aiken
lie was d~eplornbiy large, some 600
perishing. On our side but one man was
killed and one man seriously wounded.
Although our ships were repeatedly
struck, not n was seriously injured.
Whore all 80 ~conspicuously distin
euished themselves, from the command
roes In the boiler rooms, each and all
contributing toward the achievement of
this astonishing victory. FOR which
neither ancient nor modern history AZ
fords . parallel in the completeness of the
event and the marvellous dlsproportion OF
cssusities, it would DO inyidious to single
out any for special honor. Deserved pro
motion has rewarded the more conspicu.
Gus Actors-the nations profOundest graf
itude 10 due to all Of those brave men who
by their skill and devotion In u few short
hours crushed the sea power Of Spain and
wrought . triumph whose d~ecisiveness
and far.reaohing effects can scarcely be
measured. Nor can we be unmindful OF
the schievements Of our builders, me
chanics and artisans for their skill In the
construction Of our warships.
With the catastrophe OF Santiage
ceased. A spasmodic effort toward the
end Of June to send her Mediterranean
neet under Admiral Camara to relieve
Manila was abandoned, the expedition
bsing recalled after 1t had passed through
the Suez canal.
Surrender sf Santiago.
The c%apitulation Of Santiago followed
The city wal closely besieged by land
while the %stationing of ships Mt tbs
harbor mouth cut OF all relief on thai
side. After = truce to allow Of the re
moval of non-oombatants ~protracted ne
eotiat.ons continued from July.3 until
July Is, when under Of immedi
Ate assault. tho preliininaries Of surren
der were agreed upon. On the 18th Gen
ernl Shaftsr occupied the city. The cap
itulation embraced the entire eastern ent
q Cuba. The number Of Spanish sol
disss surrendered was 1900, all Of whom
wore subsequently conveyed to Spain a
~. rhee~~ NJ tho TIuited States TIL