Evening star., 1898-12-31

@'N- - u A'N'1eA'fLN Ht'@ III 'iiN ''Di w -
(istOry. War between the United
States and Spain resulted in the al
elOst entire loss by the latter country
its colonies and the destruction OF
fthe larger part OF its fleet. Commo-
dore Dewey at one brilliant stroke
annihilated the Spanish fleet at
Manila and Admiral SIMPSONS fleet
inflicted similar defeat to the Span
ish squadron at Santiago. Gen.
.haiter in most gallant land attack
Santiago drove the Spaniards back
to their last trenches and forced a
+ender. Gen Miles achieved a
similar success in Porto Rico These
FictOries won in the short space OF
three months made Spain sue for
peace.
The Gar OF Russia issued an ap-
peal to the great powers OF the world
asking for an alliance in the interests
OF peace. His appeal was practically
plea for the disarmament OF the
military establishments OF the world
What is known as the Dreyfus
case again became a disturbing fac
tor in France and nearly resulted in
bringing about a revolution IN that
country and created dissensions
} which extended to other courts III
Europe
The meeting of a British and a
| French expedition on the territory
Fol the upper Nile nearly precipitated
war between those two countries.
The wear was also notable for
many rumors OF alliances between
the various powers OF Europe. chang
ing in some instances in d most i'm
pOrtant Wav those now existing.
THE WAR WITH SPAIN.
The troubles between Spain and her re-
beliiOus subjects in Cuba which had result
cd in constant irritation between Spain and
the United States. firalIy eliminated in
declaration Of war by the United States on
April ~ This came about by demand on
the part of our government that Spain
should Withdraw her troops from Cuba. and
that at noon of April - was the time when
she must sive an answer IS 10 her inten-
tons in the matter
The reports of the cruel and iuhumau
treatment 10y the Spanish OF The peacefully
inclined people OF Cuba WAS the source OF
u great deal OF irritation to the people of
the United States. This irritation Was car
rI-d To climax by the destruction of the
battle ship siaine ~ tile AaraOr OF Havana
on the night OF February IL. Inc battle
ship had been OUu-urd 10 mat point by
tho President 10 protect American citizens,
whose lives were thought to bt in danger
through the riOtOus demonstrations which
had occurred IL the cuban city on several
occasions JuSr previous. Owing to the
strained relations between the TWO govern
u4ruJS, great pains We're taken 10 emphasize
The peaceful mission Ot the battle ship.
The report Of her sud'ren destruction
came like thunder clap to the people OF
the United States and settled the convic-
tIOu in the minds OI the great majority of
the people that war with Spain was in
evjJahIr. Two officers and 2J4 Of the crew
Of the ship lost their lives IN the disaster.
As the full details OF the awful catastrophe
were learned a great wave Of indignation
swept over the country. and an almost uni
versal demand was made upon the Presi-
dent 10 seek revenge upon Spain Tor the
disaster.
ON February II a board Of naval officers
was appointed 10 Investigate the disaster.
This board consisted Of Capt. ". Z. Samp-
son, Captain r. l.. Chadwick. Lieutenant
Commander ". T. Potter and Lieutenant
Commander AdOiph Mark. Spain made Il
request Tor joint InyrS legation of the
wreck, which was declined by the United
States. On March y the President sent to
Congress a report of the findings OF this
court OF inquiry The verdict of the court
was To The effect that the Maine had been
destroyed by submarine mine. Nothing
was sand, however, as 10 the responsibility
Tor the disaster
Meantime the Citations between the two
governments was becoming more and more
strained from other causes When the
Spanish government heard that the Maine
had been ordered To Havana the cruiser
NISg4ya was Immediately dispatched from
Cadiz TO the United States. arriving III New
York bay On February II. three days after
thr destruction of the Maine The WdrShlp
Isy in tG. harbur five days, and every pre-
caution was taken by officials of the gov
eTHmeut To prevent any acts OF aggression
on the part of the people toward the Span
ish ship. and the officers of the latter re-
tre1ted with marks Of somewhat formal
consideration
The DE LONE Letter.
Previous TO the Maine incident wide
spread Indignation had been aroused among
this people OF the United States by the pub
Hcation Of a letter written 10 Senor Canale-
las in Cuba, by SeUor Dupuy de LONE,
Spanish minister to the United States
Srnor Canalejas had been sent on a special
mission by his government TO investigate
matters in Cuba II was generally con-
sidered that the purpose Of his mission was
10 make q report denying OF ohsetting the
reports published in the United States re-
garding the awful condition Of affairs on
that island. SenOr De LOme's letter con-
L.
describing him as "a weak man catering to
the rabble and moreover Il low politician
who wishes to leave door open for nim-
Self and 70 stand well with the jingos of his
party
The incident resulted in the immediate
resignation Of Minister De LONE He was
succeeded by Senior Polo Bernabe, who
presented his credentials TO the President
on March L.
BY this time II became apparent that war
was Inevitable Spain objected to the use
OF American men-pf-vNaT send
TO the starving reconcentradoS under the
direction of the Re-. Cross Society. She OBJ
1ected to General Lee being retained as
consul general at Havana and sought TO
have him recalled. On March 5 Congress,
by unanimous vote. placed $50 .0O0 Oo at the
absolute disposal of the President for the
nations defense The act brought out. a