The River Falls times. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1894-1933, 1898-12-13

the night OF June ) Lieut.. HObSOn, aided
from Santiago haaioor by sinking the col
lier Merrimac in the channel, under
fierce fire from the shore batteries, escap-
ing with their lives as by a miracle, but
falling into the hands or the Spalliards.
1t Is most gratifying incident OF the war
that the bravery of this little band OF
heroes was cordially appreciated by the
Spanish admiral"
The Santiago Campaign.
The campaign Of Santiago, resulting IN
the investment and the capture OF Inat
city, is referred to as a brilliant achieve
merit. A brief review is theIl presented
of the decisive naval combat of the war
on July g. restafbing in The complete de-
struction of Admiral Cervera'S fleet. Con-
corning it the president says:
Where all SO cOnspicuously dis5t1n-
guished themselves, from the commanders
to the gunners' and the unnamed heroes
in the boiler rooms each and all contrib
uting toward the achievement OF this as
founding victory, for which neither am
cient nor modern history affords a par
allel in the completeness of the event and
the marvellous disproportion of casualties,
it would be invidiouS to single out any
one for special honor.
In this connection the president says:
Nor can we be unTnindful of the achleV-
mentS of our builders mechanics, and
artisans for their part in the construction
of our war Ships
AS to the success gained by the arms
of me United States in Cuba, the presi-
dent says that the earnest and lasting
gratitude of the nation is unSparlngly due.
Nor should we alone remember the gal
lantry of the living; the dead claim our
tears, and our losses by battle and disease
must cloud any eXultatiOn at the result
and teach us the awful cost of war how
ever righteous the cause or signal the
victory
The total casualties in killed and wound
ed in the army during the war with
Spain were: officers killed, %; enlisted
men killed, 257; total, $50. Office S wound
ed, 113; enlisted men wounded, 464; to-
tai, 1,577 OF the navy: Ki led, II; wound
ed, 81; died as result of wounds, i; 1nV&t-
ided from service, 6; total 81.
cit will be observed that while our navy
was engaged IN two great bait es ana N
numerous perilous undertakings in block
ade and bOmbardlnent and more than
5G0C0 of our troops were transported to
distant lands and were engaged in assault
and siege and battle and many SIX r
mishes in unfamiliar territory, we lost IN
botn arms of the service total of / 66S
campaign, by land and sea, we did not
lose a gun or a flag or a transport or a
ship, and with the exception of the crew
of the Merrimac, not so -dler or sailor
was taken prisoner.
The president bears testimony and pays
fitting tribute ito the patr otism and de-
which, although eager TO be ordered to
the post of greatest exposure, forum tely
was not required on side of the United
States. They did their whole duty and
earned the gratitude of the nation. The
president then says:
I'm tracing those evlntS we are con-
the Divine Master for his Watchful care
over u.s. and his safe guidance for which
the nation makes reverent acknowledge
ment and offers humble prayer for the
continuance of his favors."
The peace negotia tions which fol owed
soon after the capitulation of Santiago,
and the preparation and signing of the
protocol are discussed at length. Refer
ring to the work of the peace commission
ers in Paris the president says:
'These negotiations have made hopeful
progress, so that / trust soon to be able to
lay definite treaty befo e thu senate,
with review of the steps leading to it's
signature
Our New Possessions.
81 do not discuss at this time the gov
eminent or tenure of the new possessions
which will come to us IS the result Of
be appropriate after the treaty of peace
shall be ratified. In the meantime and I'M
it will be my duty to continue the mil
itary governments which have existed
since our occupation, ana give TO the peo-
pie security in life and property, and en-
coura cement under a just and benetlc1ent
rule.
Cuba and have pacified the island 1t Will
be necessary to give aid and direction to
its people to form a government Tor
at the earliest moment consistent with
safety, and assured success. 1t is i'm
portant that our relations with this peo-
pie should be of the most friendly char
acter, and our commercial relations close
and reciprocal. 1t should be our duty to
assist in every proper way to build up the
waste places Of the island, encourage the
industry of the people and assist them to
form a government which shall be free
and independent thus realizing the best
aspiration of the Cuban people.
"Sparish rule must be replaced by a
just, benevolent and humane government,
created by the people of Cuba capable OF
performing all international obligations
and which shall encourage thrift, industry
and prosperity. and promote peace and
good will among all OF the ln ma e, IS
the past Neither revenge nor passion
should have a place in the new govern
ment. Until there is complete tranquility
in the island and q stable government
erected. military occupation will be con-
tinued.
The president says that with the one
instance of the interruption of intercourse
with Spain the relations of the United
States with the family of nations during
the past year has been characterized by
co9diality Concerning negotiations with
the Argentina government with q view
to- removing differences in cable rate
charges imposed against messages passing
from and to the United States, the presi-
dent expresses his sincere. hope of an
international agreement whereby inter
change of messages over connecting lines
may be regulate on fair basis of uni
fOTmity, and adds:
| 1T Would be strange were the nations
not i'm time brought to realize that mod
ern civilization, which owes so much OF
its progress to the annihilatlon OF time by
the electrical force demands that this all
important means of communication be
heritage of peoples, to be administered and
regulated in their common behalf.
Referring to the killing and wounding
of striking miners in Luzerne county
Pa. which aroused the Solicttude of the
A hungarian government, many OF
the miners being subjects of that govern
ment the president expects to reach a
harmonious understanding on the subject
with AuStro-Hungary.
The hope is expressed that the reStr1c-
tions imposed by Belgium ON the importa-
tior1 of American cattle will at an early