The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1898-12-08

cruisers, Is gunboats, one dynamite
ss o na tSrpaS sEa monitors aa yesz Aax #
larry navy: Auxiliary cruisers, Is converted
yachts; q converted tugs, 19 converted col
i ta. 10 revenue q cutters, four lighthouse
Defense Of the Coast.
Much alarm was felt along our entire
Atlantic seaboard lest some attack might
be made by the enemy. Every precaution
was taken to prevent possible injury to
Temporary garrisons were provided. drawn
from the state militia; infantry and light
aawn r9 the ySs
ployed. The coast signal service was es-
tablished for observing the approach Of an
ana sn he and
services cooperated, which enabled the
navy department to have all portions of the
70
ated under the authority Of congress. and
was omcered and manned by the naval
naaa Of as Ss and
the duty of a second arm of defense.
Planting of Mines.
Under the direction of the chief Of engi-
neers submarine mines were placed at the
most exposed points: Before the outbreak AK
and cable galleries had been constructed
at all important harbors. Most of the tor
pedo material was not to be found in the
tured. Under date Of April 10 district off,
GERS were directed to take all preliminary
measures, short of the actual attaching of
the loaded mines to the cables, and on
April " Geographic orders were issued to
place the loaded mines in position. The
aggregate number Of mines placed was
,5S5 at the principal harbors from Maine
to California. Preparations were also made
for the planting of mines at certain other
harbors. but owing to the early destruction
Of the Spanish fleet these mines were not
The Signal Corps.
The signal corps was promptly organized
and performed service Of most difficult and
ing the war covered the electrical connec-
ton of all coast Notifications, the estab-
lishment of telephone and Geographic facil-
tiles for the camps at Manila, Santiago
300 miles of line at ten great camps. thus
facilitating military movements from
those points in a manner heretofore un,
known In military administration. Field
telegraph lines were established and main
tanned under the enemy's fire at Manila
and later the Neutrality-suspicious. cable was
cations were opened over discontinued
route, and on land the headquarters Of the
commanding officer was kept in tele-
the division commanders of four different
lines of operation. There was placed in
Cuban waters completely QUILTED cable
able both for the destruction of COMMUNE
cations belonging to the enemy and the
establishment of our own. Two ocean
cables were destroyed under the enemys
batteries at Santiago. The day previous to
the landing of Gen. Skaters corps at Cal
manera, within 20 miles of the landing
place, cable communications were estab-
lished and cable station opened, giving di-
rect communication with the government
at Washington. This service was invalu-
able to the executive in directing the opera
lions of the army and navy.
With total force of over 300, the loss
was, by disease in camp and field, officers
and men included, only five.
War Revenues.
The national defense under the $50, O00, 900
fund was expended in large part by the
army and navy and the objects for which
it was used are fully shown in the reports
Of the several secretaries. It was a most
timely appropriation, enabling the govern
mert to strengthen its defense and making
preparations greatly needed in case of war.
This fund being inadequate to the require
ments of equipment and for the conduct of
the war, the patriotism of the congress pro-
vided the means in the war revenue act of
June 10, by authorizing three per cent,
popular loan not to exceed $400, 200, 900 and
by levying additional imposts and taxes.
OF the authorized loan, 500, 900, 900 were Of
fered and promptly taken. the subscrip-
tions so far exceeding the call as to cover
ing given to the smaller bids, no single allot-
ment exceeded $1,000. This was most en-
couraging and significant result. showing
the vast resources of the nation and the
determination of the people to uphold their
country's honor.