St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1898-12-07

Several demonstrations occurred on the
voasts Of Cuba and Porto Rico In prep
aration for the larger event. On May IL
the North Atlantic squadron shelled san
Juan de Porto Rico. On May 30, Com
modore Schley's squadron bombarded
the forts Guarding the mouth OF San
tiago harbor Neither attack had any
material result. 1t was evident that
we'll ordered land operations were indis-
pensable to achieve q decisive advan-
tage.
| [The president here refers to the mill
tary and naval operations on Cuba and
T, Porto Rico and refers to the assumption
| Df affairs in the latter island by the
United States government
| The total casualties in killed and
wounded in the army during the war
with Spain were: Officers killed. %; en-
listed men, 257; total 2S0; officers wound
ed, 113; enlisted men wounded, 1854; total
1871 OF the navy: Killed, II; wounded,
| 81; died as result of wounds, /; invaded
| from service, 6; total, 81.
1t will be observed that while our navy
was engaged in two great battles and In
, numerous perilous undertakings in
| blockade and bombardment, and more
than So 900 of our troops were transport
ed to distant lands and were engaged In
assault and siege and battle and many
Bkirmishes In unfamiliar territory, we
| lost in both arms of the service total of
1868 killed and wounded, and in the en-
tire campaign by land and sea we did not
! lose a gun or flag or transport of
| ship, and with the exception of the crew
of the Merrmac, not soldier or sailor
was taken prisoner.
On Aug. 7, 46 days from the date Of the
landing Of General Skaters army in
Cuba and q days from the surrender Of
Santiago, the United States troops COM
menced embarkation for home, and our
entire force was returned to the United
States as early as Aug. "a. They were
absent from the United States only two
months.
The humiliation Of Admiral Cervera's
fleet, followed by the capitulation of
Santiago, having brought to the Spanish
government realizing sense of the hope
lessness of continuing struggle now
become wholly unequal, 1t made over
lures Of peace through the French am
bassador, who, with the assent of his
government, had acted as the friendly
representative of Spanish interests dur
ing the war; On July rs M. Cambon pre-
scented communication signed by the
Spanish minister of state, inviting the
United States to state the terms upon
which it would be willing to make peace.
On July 30, by communication ad-
dressed to the Duke Of Almodovar and
handed to M. Cambon, the terms of this
government were announced, substan-
TALLY as in the protocol afterwards
signed. On Aug. 10 the Spanish reply,
dated Aug. 7, was handed by M. Cambon
to the secretary of state. 1t accepted
Internationally the terms imposed as to
Cuba, Porto Rico and an island of the
Ladrone group, but appeared to seek to
introduce inadmissible reservations In
regard to our demand as to the Philip
pine islands Conceiving that discussion
on this point could neither be practical
nor profitable, directed that in order to
avoid misunderstanding the matter
should be forthwith closed by proposing
the embodiment in formal protocol of
the terms upon which the negotiations for
peace were to be undertaken. The vague
and ineXpicit suggestions of the Spanish
note could not be accepted the only re-
ply being at present as virtual ulti-
Matum, draft of protocol embodying
the precise terms rendered to Spain in
our note of July 30, with added stipula-
tions of detail as to the appointment of
commissioners to arrange for the eVacua-
ton of the Spanish Antilles. On Aug
IL M. Cambon announced his receipt of
full powers to sign the protocol so sub
mitted. Accordingly on the afternoon of
Aug. IL, NJ Cambon, as the plenipoten-
tiary of Spain, and the secretary Of state
as the plenipotentiary of the United
States, signed a protocol.
Immediately upon the conclusion of
the protocol issued a proclamation of
Aug. 12suspending hostilities on the part
of the United States. The necessary
orders to that end were at once given by
YaIapro nh Tho h1nokala Of 10 Of
Cuba and San Juan de Porto Rico was in
like manner raised. On Aug. Is the mus
ter out of 100000 volunteers, or as near
that number as was found to be practi-
cable, was ordered.
Pursuant to the fifth article of the
protocol l appointed William r. Day,
late secretary of state; Cushman K.
Davis, William P. Frye and George Gray,
senators of the United States, and White
law Reid to be the peace commissioners
on the part of the United States. Pro-
ceeding in due season to Paris they there
met on Oct. l five commissioners SINH
larly appointed on the part of Spain.
Their negotiations have made hopeful
progress and trust soon to be able to lay
q definite treaty of peace before the SEN
ate with a review of the steps leading to
its signature.
do not discuss at this time the govern
ment for the future Of the new posses
sions which will come to us as the result
Of the war with Spain. Such decision
will be appropriate after the treaty OF
peace shall be ratified. In the meantime
and until the congress has legislated
!. otherwise it will be my duty to continue
the military government which have ex-
listed since our occupation and give to the
people security in life and property and
encouragement under a just and bene-
ficient rule.
AS soon as we are in possession of Cuba
. and have pacified the island, it will be
! necessary to give aid and direction tc
it's people to form government fol-
themselves. This should be undertaken
I at the earliest moment consistent with
: safety and assured success.
i Spanish rule must be replaced by q
just, benevolent and humane govern.
I ment, created by the people of Cuba
I capable of performing all international
r obligations and which shall encourag,
{. thrift, industry and prosperity, and pro.
I mote peace and good will among all in.
! habitants, whatever may have been theil
= relations in the past. Neither revenge
: nor passion should have place in the
new government. Until there is com
plete tranquility in the island and 6
) stable government inaugurated military
y occupation will be continued.
With the one exception of the rupture
with Spain the intercourse Of the United
States with the great family Of nations
has been marked with cordia1ity, and tn,
4 close of the eventful year finds most o.
; the issues that necessarily arise in tn,