Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1898-12-08

continued throughout the struggle.
The president says that only reluc
lance to 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
bombardment of San Juan, Porto
Rico, and Of Santiago, to which spe-
cial reference is made, the president
says: 1.-THE next act in the war thrilled
not alone the hearts of our country
men but of the world. by its excep
tional heroism. On the night of June
8, Lieut.. HoSson, 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 a miracle
but, falling into the hands of the
Spaniards. 1t is a gratifying incident
of the war that the bravery of this
little band of heroes was cordially ap-
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 brief review is then
presented of the decisive naval com
bat of the war on July, resulting in
the complete destruction of Cerveras
feet. Concerning it the president
says: Where all so eonspicuously 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 of casualties, it would be
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 I'M
sparingly due. Nor should we alone
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 rightful the cause or signal the
victory" The total casualties, killed
and wounded, in the army during the
war with Spain is: Officers killed. % ;,
tot Of
ficers wounded, 113; enlisted men
wounded, 1,464; total 1,577; of the
navy killed, II; wounded, 81; died of
wounds 1, invaded from service 6;
total 81. Let it be observed that
while our navy was engaged in two
great battles and numerous perilous
undertakings in blockade and bonn
bardment, and more than $4,000 of our
troops were transported to distant lands
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 1,66S killed
and wounded; and in the entire cam
palgn by land and sea not the loss of a
gun, flag, transport or ship, and, with
rimac, not a soldier or sailor was
taken prisoner. The president bears
testimony and pays 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
and earned the gratitude of the nation.
The president then says: In tracing
these events We are constantly re-
minded of our obligations to the di
vine Master for His watchful care over
IS and His safe guidance, for VIII ch
he nation makes reverent acknovl-
'dgment and offers humble prayer for
The continuance of His favor
The peace negotiations which fol-
lowed soon after the car;tulation o.
Santiago and the preparation and sign
ing of the protocol are discussed at
length. Referring to the work of the
3eace commission in Paris, the presi-
dent says: These negotiations have
made hopeful progress, SO that trust
we will be able to lay definite treaty
before the senate with a review of
steps leading to it's signature. l do not
discuss at this time the government or
tenure of the new possession which
will come to us as a result of 1.-The war
with Spain. Such a discussion will be
appropriate after the treaty Of peace
shall be ratified Meantime, until
congress has legislated otherwise, it
will be my duty to continue the mill
tary governments which have existed
since our occupation and give to the
people security in life and property
and encouragement under a just and
beneficent rule
AS soon as we are in possession of
Cuba and have pacifed the island it
will be necessary, says the president,
to give aid and direction to it's people
to form a government for themselves.
This should be undertaken at the earl
lest moment consistent >...- safety
and assured success. 1t is important
that our relations with this people be
of the most friendly character and our
commercial relations close and recip-
rocal. 1t should be our duty to assist
in every proper. way to build up the
waste places of the island, encourage
industry among the people, assist them
to form government which shall be
free and Independent, thus realizing
the best aspirations of the Cuban peo-
pie. Spanish rule must be replaced by
a just, benevolent, humane govern
mes1t created by the nannle of Cuba