The Mt. Sterling advocate. (Mt. Sterling, Ky.) 1890-current, 1898-12-13

AIlIlLWILA
[ tive on the next day. April 20 copy was a
once communicated 70 the Spanish minister ~
this capital who forthwith asked for his pass
ports and withdrew from Washington. leaving
the Spanish interests IN the hancs Of the French
ambassador ard the Anstro- Hungarian minis
ter. simultaneously with its communication q
the Spanish minister, Gen " bedford. the Amer.
lean minis eer at Madrid WAS telegraphed con-
nrmation OF the text Of the joint resolution
and directed 20 communicate 81 20 tho govern
ment OF Spain with the formal demand that ii
NJ once relinguish its SuthSrity and govern
ment in the island Of Cuba and Withdraw It's
forces therefrom- coupling shis demand with
announcements OF the intentions Of this gov
eminent as TO the future Of the island in con-
formity with the fourth clause Of the resolu-
ton. and giving Spain until noon Of April % to
reply.
That demand. although. IS above oracially
shown. officially made known 70 the Spanish
envoy here, was not delivered Mt Madrid. After
the instruction reached Gen woodford on the
morning Of April 81 bus before he could pre-
sent IL, the Spanish minister Of state totified
him that upon the presidents approval of tne
joint resolution the Madrid government. re-
garding the act as equivalent TO an evident
declaration Of NAf," had ordered It's minister
In Washington to withdraw, thereby breaking
OF diplomatic relations between the two coun-
tries and eeasing all oficlal communication be-
tween their respective Representatives. Gen.
woodford thereupon demanded his passports
and quilted Madrid the Same day.
ENGAGED IL DEADLY CONFLICT.
Our country thus, after an interval Of half .
century Of peace with all nations. found itself
engaged In deadly connict with foreign enc
my. Every nerve was strained 70 meet tho
emergency. The response to the initial call
for I25.OQo volunteers was instant and com
plete, as was also the result Of the second call
OF May . for 5000 additional volunteers The
ranks Of the regular army were increased 70
the limits provided By the act Of April 90
The enlisted force Of the navy on she 18th day
OF August when is reached its maximum. num-
bered "a is3 men and spprent iess. One hundred
and three vessels were added 70 the nayy By
purchase. one was pTsssntsd TO she govern
rent. one leased, and the four vessels Of ne
International Navigation Co.. the St Paul. 81
Louis. New York and Paris, we're chartered
In addition 70 those tbs revenue cutters and
lighthouse tenders were Esrns4 ever 70 the
navy department. and became temporarily
part Of the auxiliary navy.
THE COAST DErENsR
Much alarm was felt along our entire Allan
tic sesshorc lest some attack might be made
by the enemy. Every prccaution was taken
TO prevent possible injury to our great cities
lying along the coast Temporary garrisons
were provided. drawn from the state militia;
infantry and light batteries were drawn from
the volunteer force. About II. 600 troops were
thus employed. The coast signal service was
established for observing the approach Of an
enemy's ships to the coast of the United
States, and the life saving and light house
services co-operated, which enabled the navy
department TO have all portions Of the Atlantic
coast, from Maine TO Texas, under obssrTs-
ton
Under the direction Of the chief Of engineers
submarine mines were placed At the most eI-
posed points. The aggregate number of mines
placed was l.5S5 at the principal harbors from
Maine 10 California Preparations were also
made for the planting OF mines At certain other
harbors, but owing TO the early destruction Of
the Spanish feet these mines were not placed.
APPROPRIATIONS FOR THEwAR
The national defense fund OF s50oo0.ooo
was expended in large part by the army
and navy and the objects for which IL was used
are fully shown In the reports Of the several
secretaries This fund, being inadequate to
the requirements Of equipment and for this
conduct Of the war, the patriotism Of the con-
gTess provided the means in the war revenue
act Of June 49, by authorizing three per cent
popular loan not to exceed 500, OO0, 600, and by
levying additional imposts and taxes. OF the
authorized loan, 500, 100000 we're offered and
promptly taken.
1t Is not within the province OF this 4. sssage !
TO nsrrate the history of the extraordinary ]
war that followed the Spanish declaration OF
April 81, but brief recital Of its more salient
features Is appropriate. The first encounter
of the war IN point Of date took place April a.
when detachment Of the blockading squadron
'helled the harber forts and demolished sew ,
sral new works in construction at Mstsnzas.
THE BATTLE OF MANILA.
The next engagement was destined to mark q !
memorable epoch in maritime warfare. The
Pacific feet, under command Of Commodore
George Dewey. had lain for some weeks at
Hongkong. Upon the colonial proclamation OF
neutrality being issued and the customary "a
hours notice being given, # repaired to Mrs
bay, near HOngkong, whence it proceeded TO
he Philippine islands under telegraphed or
iers to capture or destroy the formidable
Spanish feet then assembled at Manila.
The message then recites the battle OF Ma
lila in which the Spanish squadron under COM
nand OF Adm. Montejo was annihilated by the
'essels commanded by Adm. Geo Dewey.
THE FIGHTING IN CUBA
Not until Admiral Cervera took refuge in the
larbor Of Santiago de Cuba about May 9th.
vas 1t practicable to plan o systematic mill
airy attack upon the Antilleau possessions Of
spain.
Several demonstrations occurred on the
oasts Of Cuba and Porto Rico in preparation
or the larger event On May 18th the North
Atlantic squadron Bh6lled San Juan de Porto
Rico. On May sOth Commodore Schley's
squadron bombarded the forts guarding the
mouth Of Santiago harbor Neither attack
lad any material result 1t was evident that
veil ordered land operations were indispen-
able TO achieve a decisive advantage.
BY June z, the cutting of the last Cuban
"a bic isolated the island. Thereafter the in
'asion was vigorously prosecuted, On June 10,
lnder heavy protecting fire. landing Of 60
marines from the Oregon Marblehead and
Yankee, was effected In Guantanamo bay
where 1t had been determined TO establish a
avail station.
This important and essential port was taken
rom the enemy after severe lighting by the
marines, who were the first organized force Of
he United States to land in Cuba.
The position so won was held despite des-
'erate attempts 10 dislodge our forces. BY
une 10 additional forces were landed and
trongly intrenched. On June 22 the advance
4 the invading army under Mai Gen. Skater,
anded at Daiquiri. about IS miles east OF SAN
iago. This was accomplished under great diff
culties but with marvellous dispatch. On
une % the movement against Santiago
vas begun. On the Gath the first SER
BUS engagement took place, in which the LIST
nd 10th cavalry and the LIST United States vol
nteer cavalry, Gen. Young's brigade of Gen.
Yheeler's division participated, losing heav-
~ BY nightfall, however, ground within five
allies OF Santiago was won. The advantage
'as steadily increased. On July l O severe
attic took place, our forces gaining the out
forks Of Santiago; on the I'd Ell Caney and
IAN Juan were taken after desperate charge,
nd the investment Of the city was completed.