Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1898-12-06
WAR ON IN EARNEST.

alton or the people 10 upHolu lAelT
country's honor.
WAR ON IN EARNEST.
Hostilities Begun by an Actual Conflict on
April 81 at Matanzas.
1t is not within the province OF this
message to narrate the history OF the
extraordinary war that followed the
Spanish declaration of April 21st, but
a brief recital of its more salient fea-
lures is appropriate. The first en-
counter of the war in point of date took
place April 81, when detachment OF
the blockading squadron made a recon
Nuisance in force at Mantanzas, shell
led the harbor forts, and demolished
several new works in construction.
The next engagement was destined
to mark a memorable epoch in mari
time warfare. The Pacific feet, under
Commodore George Dewey, had lain
for some weeks at Hong Kong. Upon
the colonial proclamation of neutrality
being issued, and the customary twen-
ty-four hours notice being given, it re-
paired to Mrs Bay near Hong Kong,
whence it proceeded to the Philippine
Islands under Geographic orders to cap
ture or destroy the formidable Spanish
fleet then assembled at Manila. At
daybreak on the first of May, the Amer
lean force entered Manila Bay and after
few hours engagement effected the
total destruction of the Spanish fleet,
consisting of ten war ships and trans
port, besides capturing the naval sta
ton and forts at Cavite, thus annihi-
lating the Spanish naval power in the
Pacific Ocean, and completely control
ling the bay of Manila, with the ability
to take the city at will, Not life was
lost on our ships, the wounded only
numbering seven, while not vessel
was materially injured. For this gall
liant achievement the Congress, upon
my recommendation, fifty bestowed up
on the actors preferment
AND SUBSTANTIAL REWARD.
The effect Of this remarkable victory
upon the spirit of our people and upon
the fortunes of the war was instant.
A prestige of invincibility thereby at
tached 70 our arms, which continued
throughout the struggle. Reinforce
ments were hurried to Manila under
the command of Major General Merritt
and firmly established within sight of
the Capital, which lay helpless before
our guns.
On the 9TH day Of May, the govern
ment was advised officially OF the vic
tory at Manila, and at once inquired
of the commander of our fleet what
troops would be required. The infor-
nation was received on the 18th day
of May, and the first army expedition
sailed May %, and arrived OH Manila
June 3d. Other expeditions soon fol-
lowed, the total force consisting of GIL
officers, and 1903 men.
Only reluctance to cause nee Hess less
Of life and property prevented the
early storming and capture of the city,
and Herewith the absolute military oc-
cupancy of the whole groupe. The in
surgents meanwhile had resumed the
active hostilities suspended by the I'M
completed truce of December, 1897.
Their forces invested Manila from the
northern and eastern side. but were
constrained by Admiral Dewey and
Gen. Merritt from attempting an as
sault. It was fitting that whatever was
to be done in the way Of decisive oper-
atoms in that quarter should be accom-
plished by the strong arm Of the United
ptdISS dlOAC obSy lAASo tLAC oSCl II IA Z
cept of war which enioins the over
coming of the adversary and the ex
tinction of his power wherever assail-
able as the speedy and sure means to
win a peace, divided victory was not
permissible, for no partition OF the
RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES
attending the enforcement of a just
and advantageous peace could be
thought of.
Following the comprehensive scheme
CT general attack, powerful forces were
assembled at various points on our
coast to invade Cuba and Porto Rico.
Meanwhile naval demonstrations were
made at several exposed points On
May II, the cruiser Wilmington and
torpedo boat Winslow were unsuccess-
full in an attempt to silence the batter
les at Cardenas, gallant ensign,
Worth Bagley and four seamen, fall
ing. These grievous fatalities were
strangely enough among the very few
which occurred during our naval oper-
ations in this extraordinary conflict.
Meanwhile the Spanish naval prepar
atoms had been pushed with great
vigeE "a powerful squadron under Adj
miral eCeryera, which had assembled at
the Cape Verde islands before the out
break of hostilities, had crossed the
ocean, and by it's erratic movements in
the Caribbean sea delayed our military
plans while battling the pursuit of our
fleets For a time fears were felt lest
the battleship Oregon and gunboat
Marietta, nearing home after
a long voyage from San Francisco, of
over $4,000 miles, might be surprised
by Admiral Cervera's fleet, but their
fortunate arrival dispelled these appre-
tensions and lent much needed rein
forcement Not until Admiral Cervera
took refuge in the harbor of Santiago
de Cuba, about May 10, was it practic-
able to plan a systematic naval and
military attack upon the Antillean pos
sessions of Spain.
SEVERAL DEMONSTRATIONS
occurred on the coasts of Cuba and
Porto Rico in preparation for the larg-
er event. On May 10. the North Allan
tic squadron shelled San Juan de Porto
Rico. On May IS, Commodore Schley's
squadron bombarded the forts guard
ing the mouth of Santiago harbOr