Evening star., 1898-12-05

The last scene of the war wis enacted at
| Manila, its starting place. On August IL,
after brief assault upon the works by tho
land forces, ia which the squadron assisted,
the capital surrendered Internationally.
Ihe casualties were comparatively few. BY
TINS the conquest Of the Philippine Islands,
virtually accomplished when the Spanish
capacity for resistance was DESTROYED by
Admiral Dewey's victory Of the Isi OF May,
was formally sealed. To General Merritt,
his officers and men for Their uncompla ming
and devoted service and for their gallantry
In action the nation is sincerely grateful
Their long voyage was made with singular
| success, and the soldierly conduct Of the
men, most of whom were without previous
experience in the military service deserves
unmeasured praise.
The total casualties in killed and wounded
in the Army during the war with Spain
We're Officers killed. %; enlisted men killed,
25I total, $50; officers wounded lI3; en-
listed men wounded, !. .464; total. l.577. OF
the Navy: Killed, Il; wounded, 81; died as
result of wounds, /; invalided from service,
9; 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 $4,000 OF
lands and We're engaged in assault and
siege and battle and many skirrnishes in
unfamiliar territory. We lost in both arms
of the service a total of 16SS killed and
wounded and in the entire campaign by.
land and sea we did not lose a gun or u
flag or transport or a ship, and with the
exception Of the crew of the Merrimac not
a soldier or sailor was taken prisoner
On August 9TH. forty-six days from the
date of the landing of General Skaters
army in Cuba, and twenty-one days from the
surrender of Santiago, the United States
troops commenced embarkation for home.
and our entire force was returned to the
United States as early as August 24th.
They were absent from the United States
only two months.
1t is fitting that l should bear testimony
to the patriotism and devotion of that largo
portion of our Army which. although eager
to be ordered to the post of greatest eN-
posure, fortunately was not required out
side of the United States They did their
whole duty, and like their comrades at the
front have earned the gratitude Of the
Nation. In like manner the officers and
men of the Army and Of the Navy who re-
mained in their departments and stations
faithfully performing most important duties
connected with the war, and whose re-
quests for assignment ia the field and at
sea was compelled to refuse because their
services were Indispensable here, are en-
titled to the highest commendatiou. II is
my regret that there seems to BE- no pro-
vision for their suitable recognition.
In this connection ii is a pleasur, for me
20 mention in terms OF cordial appreciation
the timely and useful work of the An .rican
National Red Cross both in relief measures
preparatory To the campaigns, in sanitary
assistance at several of the camps If as
semblage, and later, under the abla and cx-
perienced leadership of the president of the
society, Miss Clara Barton, on the fields Of
battle and in the hospitals at the front i'm
Cuba Working in conjunction with the
governmental authorities and under their
sanction and approval, and with the en-
thusiastic cooperation of many patriotic
women and societies in the various states,
the Red Cross has fully maintained its al
ready high reputation for intense earnest
ness and ability to exercise the noble pur-
poses Of its international organization, thus
justifying the confidence and support which
it has received at the hands of the Ameri-
can people To the members and officers Of
this society and all who aided them in
their phianthropic work. the sincere and
lasting gratitude Of the soldiers and the
public is due and is freely accorded.
In tracing these events we are constantly
reminded oi eur obligations 10 the Divine
Master for His watchful care over US and
His safe guidance. for which the Nation
makes reverent acknowledgment and offers
humble prayer Cor the continuance of His
favor.
Overture of Peace.
The annihilation of Admiral Cervera's
fleet, followed by the capitulation of SAN
tiago, having brought to the Spanish gov
ernmeEt a realizing sense Of the hopeless
ness of continuing a struggle now become
wholly unequal, it made overtures of peace
through the French Ambassador. who with
the assent of his Government had acted as
the friendly representative of Spanish in
terests during the war. On the 10Th of
July, NJ. Cambon presented a communica-
ton signed by the Duke Almodovar, the
Spanish Minister Of State, inviting the
United States to state the terms upon
which it would be willing to make peace.
On the goth of July by communication
addressed to the Duke Almodovar and
handed to NJ. Cambon, the terms of this
government were announced, substantially
in the protocol afterward signed. On The
10th Of August the Spanish reply dated
August 7th was handed by NJ. Cambon to
the Secretary of State. 1t accepted uncon-
ditionally the terms imposed as TO Cuba
Porto Rico, and an island of the Ladrones
group. but appeared to seek to introduce in
admissible reservations in regard to our
demand as to the Philippine Islands. Con-
ceiving that discussion on this point could
neither be practical nor profitable, / di-
rected that in order to avoid misunder-
standing the matter should be forthwith
closed by proposing the embodiment in a
formal protocol of the terms upon which
the negotiations for peace were to be under
taken. The vague and inexplicit suggestions
of the Spanish note could not pe accepted
the only reply being to present as a virtual
ultima tum draft OF protocol embodying the
precise terms rendered 10 Spain I'm our note
of July Both, with added stipulations of de-
tail as to the appointment of commissioners
10 arrange for the evacuation of the Suan-
ish Antilles. On August 18th, NJ. Cambon
announced his receipt of full powers to
sign the protocol so submitted. Accord
ingly, on the afternoon of August 18th. NJ.
Cambon, as the Plenipotentiary of Spain.