Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1898-12-08
1886, at the principal harbors from
Maine to California

of the war the president reviews then
carefully. The first encounter was the
shelling OF Matanzas April n. This
was followed by an engagement 'des-
tined to mark a memorable epoch III
maritime warfare" This was Commo-
dore Dewey's victory at Manila May 1
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 invinc-
iblllty thereby attached to our arms
continued throughout the struggle.
The president says that only reluc-
lance 10 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 Is
lands" Following the memorable
/ trip of the battleship Oregon from
/ san Francisco to Key West and the
! Commandment of San Juan, Porto
! Rico, and of Santiago, to which spe-
cial reference is made, the president
says. "The next act in the war thrilled
not alone the hearts OF our country
men 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
tiago harbor by sinking the collier
Merrimac in the channel, under a
fierce fire from the shore batteries
escaping with their lives by miracle
faII Ln ht.t, Ia gNf fha
Spaniards. 1t is a gratifying incident
of the war that the bravery of this
little band of heroes was cordially APP
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 of the decisive naval com
bat OF the war on July, resulting In
the complete destruction of Cervera S
fleet. Concerning ii the president
says: Where all so conspicuously dis
tinguished themselves, from COM
manders to gunners and unnamed
heroes in the boiler rooms, each and all
contributing toward the achievement
Of this astounding victory, for which
neither ancient nor modern history
affords parallel in the completeness
of the event and the marvellous dis
proportion or casualties, it would be
invdious 20 single ont any one for
special honor"
AS to the success gained by the arms
Of the United States in Cuba, the
president says that the earnest last
ing gratitude of the nation is un-
spa.ngly due. Nor should we alone
I tnember the gallantry of the living.
The dead claim our tears, and our
10 IS by battle and disease must
cloud any exultation at the result and
teach rs the awful cost OF war, how
ever rightful the cause or signal the
victory" The total casualties. killed
and wounded in the army during the
war with Spain is: Officers killed, 90.
enlisted men killed, 257 total 2S0 Of
ticers wounded, l13; enlisted men
wounded, l,464, total l,577; OF the
navy killed II; wounded. 81: died Of
wounds |. invaded from service 6.
total 81. Let IL be observed that
while our navy was engaged in two
great battles and numerous perlous
undertakings In blockade and bonn
bardment. and more than $4,000 Of our
troops were transported TO distant land
and engaged in assault, siege and bat.
| tie and many skirmishes in unfamiliar
territory. we lost In both branches Of
the service total OF only ,668 killed
and wounded; and in the entire cam
paign by land and sea not the loss of
gun, flag, transport or ship, and with
the exception of the crew of the Mer-
rlmac, not a soldier or sailor was
taken prisoner The president bears
testimony and pays a fitting tribute
to the patriotism and devotion OF that
large portion 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
aud earned the gratitude OF the nation.
The president then says; 'In tracing
these events we are constantly re-
minded OF our obligations to the d-
vine Master for His watchful care over
us and His safe guidance, for which
the nation makes reyerent acknowl-
edgmen, and offers humble prayer for
the continuance OF His favor"
The peace negotiations which fol-
lowed soon after the capltulation OF
Santiago aud the preparation and sign
ing OF The protocol are discussed At
length. Referring to the work of the
peace commission in Paris. the pres-
dent says. These negotiations have
made hopeful progress, so that trust
We viii be able to lay definite treaty
before the senate with review of
steps leading TO its signature, | do not
discuss at this time the government or
tenure OF the new possession which
viii come 20 us as a result of the war
with Spain, Such a discussion will be
appropriate after the treaty Of peace
shall he ratified Meantime, until
congress has legislated otherwise it
viii be my duty TO continue the mill
tAry governments which have existed
since our occupation and give TO the