The Chanute times. [volume] (Chanute, Kan.) 1897-1913, 1898-12-16

OF Spain and wrought triumph whose decls.
iveness and far reachng effects can scarcely be
measured. Nor can W, be unmindful OF the
achievements OF our builders, mocha MICS and
artisans for their skill In the construotio OF
our warships.
THE SURRENDER OF SANTIAGO.
With the catastrophe OF Santiago SPANS ef-
fort upon the ocean virtually ceased. A spas
modic effort toward the end of June to send
her Mediterran can fleet under Admiral Camara
to relieve Manila was abandon ed the expedition
being recalled after 1t had passed through the
Suez canal The population OF Santiago fol-
lowed. The city was closely besieged py land,
while the entrance OF our ships into the harbor
cut off all relief on that side. After truce TO
allow the removal OF non -combatants protract-
cd negotiations continued from July until
July 10, when under the monaco OF imme Late
assault the preliminarles of surrender were
agreed upon. On the nth General Shafter &C.
cupied the city The capitulation embraced
the entire eastern end of Cuba The number Of
Spanish soldiers surrendered was 2!,O)0, all OF
whom were subsequently conveyed to Spain OF
the charge Of the United Statos
The story of this successful campaign is told
in the report OF the secretary Of war which will
be laid before you. The individual valor Of off,
GERS and soldiers was neve; moro Striltingly
shown than in the s veral engagements leading
to the surren. der OF Santiago, while the prompt
movements and successi We victories won in
slant and universal applause. To those who
gained this complete triumph which established
tho ascendency of the United States upon land
as the fight of Santiago had fixed our suprem-
acy on the seas, the earnest gratitude Of the
nation is unsparingly due. Nor should we alone
remember the gall .n.ry of the living, the dead
claim our tears and losses by battle and disease
must cloud any eXultatCn at tho result and
teach us the weight and awful cost Of war. how
ever rightfu the cause or signal the victory.
With the fall of Santiago, tho occupation Of
Porto Rico became the next stategic necessity
General Miles had previously been assigned to
organize an oxpe lition for that purpose For
tunately he was already at Santiago, where he
had arrived on the llth of July with reinforce
ments for General Skaters army.
OCCUPATION or PORTO RICO.
With these troops, consisting of 3, AIS infantry
and artillery, two companies Of engineers an d
one company of the signal corps, General Miles
left Guantanamo on July 81 having nine trans
ports conveyed by the fleet under Captain Hig-
glnson with the Massachusetts (fagship),
Dixie, Gloucester, Columbia and Yale, the two
latter carrying troops. The expedition landed
at Guanica July p, which port was entered
with little opposition. Here the fleet was
Joined by the Annapolis and Wasp while the
Puritan and Amphitrite went to San Juan and
Joined the New Orleans which was en- aged in
blocl1ading that port The major general COM
mandins was subsequently, reinforced by Cen
eral Schwann's brigade OF the Third army
corps by General Wilson, with part OF his d.
vision and also by General Brooke with part
OF his corps, numbering in all 1878 officers and
men.
On July q he entered Ponce, one OF the most
important ports in the island, from which he
thereafter directed operations of the capture OF
the island.
With the exception OF encounters with the
enemy at Guayama, Hormiguerez, Coamo and
Yauco and an attack on q force landed at Cape
San Juan, there was no serious resistance. The
campaign was prosecuted with great vigor and
by the eth of August, much Of the island was
in our possession and the acquisition Of the re-
mainder was only matter OF short time. AT
most Of the points in tho island, our troops
were enthusiastically welcomed ProtestatlonS
of loyalty to the flag and gratitude for delivery
from Spanish rule met our commanders ut every
stage. As potent influence toward peace, the
outcome of the Porto Rican expedition was of
great consequence and generous commentator
is due TO those who participated IN it
LAST SCENE OF TIE WAR.
The last scene OF the war was enacted at Ma
Mia, its starting place on August 18th after q
brief assault upon the works by the land
forces, in which the squadron assisted, the cap
ital surrendered Internationally. The casual
ties were comparatively few. by this conquest
of the Philippine islands virtually accomplished
when the Spanish capacity for resistance was
destroyed by Admiral Dewey's victory of the
list OF May, was formally sealed. To General
Merritt his officers and men for their uncom-
planning and devoted services for their gal
lantry in action, the nation is sincerely CRATE
full. Their long voyage was made with singular
success and the soldierly conduct of the men,
as Of whom many were without previous ex-
perience in the military services deserves I'M
measured praise.
The total casualties in killed and wounded In
the army during the war was as follows: Oncers
killed, %; enlisted men killed, PSI; total .8J;
officers wounded, ll3; enlisted men wounded
! ,46i; total ,5T OF the navy, killed II; wounded
81; died as result of wounds, one; invalided from
service 6; total 81.
1t will be observed that while our navy was
engaged in two great battles and in numerous
perilous undertakings in the blockades, and
bombardment and more than $1,000 of our troops
were transported to distant lands, and engaged
in assault and siege and battle and many skirm-
ishes in unfamiliar territory, we lost in both
arms Of the service o total OF 1908 killed and
wounded; and in the entire campaigning by
land and sea we did not lose gun or nag or
transport OF u sui anu WIN OASSPbiSA Va
the crew of the Merimac, not soldier or a sailor
was taken prisoner.
On August 9TH, fOrty-six days from the date
of landing Of General Skaters army in Cuba
and twenty one days from the surrender OF San
tiago, the United States troops commenced en-
barlsation for home and our entire force was re-
turned to the United States as early as August
eth They were absent from the United States
only two months.
1t is fitting that should bear testimony to
the patriotism and devotion OF that large por-
ton of our army which, although eager to be
ordered to the post OF greatest exposure, for
tunately was not required outside of the United
States. They did their whole duty and like
their comrades at the front, have earned the
gratitude Of tho nation. In like manner the
officers and men Of the army and Of the navy
who remained in their departments and sta
tions OF the navy, performing most Important
duties connected with the war, and whose re-
quests for assignment in the field and at sea 1t
was compelled TO refuse because their services
were Indispensable here are entitled to the
highest commentator 1t is my regret that
there seems to be no provision for their suit
able recognition.
The President here pays graceful tribute TO
the Red Cross, and continues:
In tracing these events VIC are constantly re-
minded of our obligations TO the Divine Master
for His watchful caro- over us and His safe
guidance, for which the nation makes reverent
Acknowledgement and offers humble prayer fol
the continuance OF His favor.
The annihilation Of Admiral Cervera's feet
followed nv the continuation OF Santiago, having