Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1898-12-09

military and naval forces Of The United
States as might be necessary. with added
authority to continue generous relief TO
the starving people of Cuba.
The response of the congress, after nine
days Of earnest deliberation, on April ~,
by a vote of AZ to IS in the senate, and Sll
TO 6 in the house of representatives,
passed the memorable joint resolution.
This resolution was approved by the
executive on the next day, April 20. A
copy was at once communicated to the
Spanish minister at this capital, VINO
forthwith announced that his continu-
ance in Washington had thereby be-
come impossible and asked for his pass
ports, which We're given him. He there
upon withdrew from Washington, leav-
ing the protection of Spanish interests in
the United States to the French am
bassador and the Austro- Hungarian
minister.
simultaneously with this Communica-
ton to the Spanish minister here, Cen
eraI Woodford, the American minister
at Madrid, was telegraphed confirmation
Of the text of the joint session, and di-
rected to communicate 1t to the govern
ment of Spain with the formal demand
that II at once relinquish its authority
and government in the island of Cuba
and withdraw its forces therefrOm,
coupling this demand with the announce
ment of the intentions of this govern
nent as to the future of the island. in
conformity with the fourth clause OF the
resolution and giving Spain until noon
on April % to reply.
That demand although officially made
known to the Spanish envoy here, was
not delivered at Madrid. After the
instructions had reached General Wood
ford on the morning of April 81, but be-
fore he could present it the Spanish min
lister of state notified him that upon the
presidents approval of the joint resO-
luton the Madrid government, regard
ing the act as equivalent TO an evident
declaration of war had ordered its min
lister in Washington to withdraw, there
by breaking off diplomatic relations be-
tween the two countries and Ceasing all
official communication between their re-
spective representatives. General Wood
ford thereupOn demanded his passports
and quilted Medrid the same day.
Spain, having thus denied the demand
of the United States and initiated that
complete form of rupture of relations
which attends state of war, the eXeCu-
tive powers authorized by the resolution
were at once used by me to meet the en-
larged contingency Of actual war be-
tween sovereign states. On April -
proclaimed blockade of the north coast
of Cuba. including ports on said coast
between Cardenas and Bahia Honda and
the port of CienfuegoS on the south coast
of Cuba, and on the 23rd I called for
volunteers to execute the purpose of the
resolution. BY my message of April 20
the congress was informed Of the situa-
tlOn and | recommended formal deClara-
ton of the existence of a state of war be-
tween the United States and Spain. The
/ congress accordingly voted on the same
day the act approved April %, 1898, de-
Claring the existence of such war from
and including the 2lst day of April, and
re-enaCted the provision of the session or
April 20, directing the president to use
/ all the armed forces of the nation to carry
/ that act into effect.
/ our country thus, after an interval of
/ half a century of peace with all nations,
/ found itself engaged in deadly conflict
/ with a foreign enemy. Every nerve was
/ strained to meet the emergency. The
/ response to the initial call for l25, 600 vol
/ unteers was instant and complete, as was
/ also the result of the second call of May
/ % for 90 600 additional volunteers. The
I ranks of the regular army were increased
to the limit provided by the act of April
! 26 1898.
/ The enlisted force of the navy on Aug.
15 when it reached its maximum, num-
bered p, l23 men and apprentices. one
the navy by purchase, one was presented
/ to the government one leased, and the
I four vessels of the International NaVi-
cation company, the St Paul st. Louis,
! New York and Paris We're chartered. In
addition to these. the revenue cutters and
I lighthouse tenders were turned over TO
the auxiliary navy.
The signal corps was promptly organ
i2ed and performed service of the most
IL, L.
operations during the war covered the
electrical connection of all coast fortifi-
cations. the establishment Of telephone
I and Geographic facilities for the camps
at Manila, Santiago and in Porto Rico
This service was invaluable to the eXeCu-
tive in directing the operations of the
army and navy. With total force of
over 1900 the loss by disease in camp and
field, officers and men included. only five
The national defense fund of $50 600 O0C
was expended in large part by the army
and navy, and the objects for which it
was used. was fully shown in the re-
ports of the several secretaries. 1t was
a most timely appropriation. enabling
the government to strengthen its de-
fenses and make preparations greatly
needed in case of war,
This fund being inadequate to the re-
Curements of equipment and for the
conduct of the war. the patriotism of the
congress provided the means in the wal
revenue act of June IS by authorizing q
3 percent popular loan, not to exceed
$500 900, 900. and by leVying additiona
imposts and taxes. OF the authorized
loan 5000 900. 900 was offered and promptly
taken, the subscriptions so far exceeding
the call as to cover it many times over
This was a most encouraging and signi
ticant result. showing the vast resources
of the nation, and the determination OF
the people to uphold their country's
honor
The first encounter of the war in point
Of date took place April q, when de
tachment of the bockadng squadron
made a reconnaissance in force at Ma.
tanzas shelled the harbor forts anG
demolished several works in course o,
construction.
The next engagement was destined tC
mark a memorable epoch in marine war.
fare. The Pacific fleet, under Commo.
dore George Dewey, had lain for some
weeks at Hong Kong. Upon the cOlOnia
proclamation of neutrality being ISSUED
and the customary "a hours notice heinl
given, it repaired to Mrs bay, near Hons
Kong, whence 1t proceeded to the Philip.
pine islands under telegraph orders tC
capture or destroy the formidable Span.
ish fleet then assembled at Manila
At daybreak on May l the American
force entered Manila bay and after few
hours engagement effected the total de
struCton of the Spanish fleet, consisting
of 10 warships and a TRANSPORT, beside!
capturing the naval station and forts a
Cavte, thus annhilating the Spanish
naval power in the Pacific ocean ant
completely controlling the bay of Ma
nila, with the ability to take the city a
will. Not. lie was lost on our ships