The Bourbon news. [volume] (Paris, Ky.) 1895-19??, 1898-12-06

JuC QUASI lotus.
DESTRUCTION OF SPANISH FLEET AT sANTI-
AGO.
On the cay following this brilliant achieve
ment OF our land forces, July g. occurred the
decisive naval combat of the war. The Spanish
feet, attempting to leave the harbor. was met
by the American squadron under command of
Commodore Sampson. In less than three hours
all the Spanish ships were destroyed the two
torpedo boats being sunk, and the Maria
Teresa, Almirante Oquendo, Vizcaya and the
Christobal Colon driven ashore. The Spanish
admiral and over 1900 men were taken prison
oners, while the enemy's loss of life was de-
plorably large, so me 600 perishing. On our side
but one man was killed.
Although our ships were repeatedly struck,
not one was seriously injured. Where all so
conspicuously distinguished themselves, from
the commanders to the gunnerS and the I'M
named heroes in the boiler rooms, each and all,
contributing toward the achievement of this
astounding victory, for which neither ancient
nor modern history affords a parallel in the
completeness of the event and the marvellous
d1Sproportion of casualties 1T would be 1nVldl-
Gus to single out any for especial honor. De-
served promotion has rewarded the more con-
spicuous actors - the nations profoundest
gratitude is due to all of these brave men.
With the catastrophe Of Santiago Spain's
efforts upon the ocean virtually ceased. A
spasmodic effort toward the end of June TO
send her Mediterranean fleet, under Adm.
Camara, to relieve Manila was abandoned. the
expedition being recalled after it had passed
through the Suez canal
CAPiTULATIoN OF SANTIAGO AND OCcUPA-
TION OF PORTO RICO.
The capitulation of Santiago followed The
number of Spanish soldiers surrendered was
1900, all of whom were subsequently conveyed
to Spain at the charge of the United States.
no Foil IF tlooO Of
Porto Rico became the next strategetic neces-
sity. Gen. Miles had previously been assigned
10 organize an expedition for that purpose
Fortunately he was already at Santiago,
where he had arrived on the 18th of July, with
reinforcements for Gen. Skaters army.
On July 9th he entered Ponce, one of the
most important ports in the island, from
which he thereafter directed operations for the
capture of the island.
With the exception of encounters with the
enemy at Guayama. HormiguerOS 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 18th of August much of the
island was in our possession and the acquiSi-
ton of the remainder was only a matter of a
short time. At most of the points in the is
land our troops were enthusiastically well
coined. ProteStations of loyalty to the flag
and gratitude for Delivery from Spanish rule
met our commanders at every stage.
The total casualties in killed and wounded
in the army during the war was as follows:
Officers killed. %: enlisted men killed. 257; to-
tai. 28O; officers wounded, 1l3; enlisted men
wounded, l, E6l; total, 1,577. Of the navy:
Killed, Il; wounded. 81; died as result of
wounds, 1; invaded 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 blocllades and
n
troops were transported to distant lands and
engaged in assault and siege and battle and
many skirmishes in unfamiliar territory. we
lost in both arms of the service total of 1868
killed and wounded. and in the entire cam
paign by land and sea we did not lose gun or
a flag or transport or d ship. and with the
exception of the crew of the Merrimac, not a
soldier or sailor was taken prisoner.
On August Z. 46 days from the date of the
landing of Gen. Skaters army in Cuba and 81
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 a. They
were absent from the United States about two
months.
The president then mentions, in terms of
cordial appreciation. the timely and useful
work of the American National Red Cross,
both in relief measures preparatory to the
campaigns. in sanitary assistance at several
of the camps of assemblage.
The humiliation of Adm. Cervera' s fleet, fol-
lowed by the equalization of Santiago, having
brought to the Spanish government a realizing
sense of the hOpelessness of continuing a
struggle now become wholly unequal it made
overtureS of peace through the French am
ba- sadOr. who, with the assent of his govern
ment. had acted as the friendly representative
OF Spanish interests during the war.
SPAIN SITES FOR PEACE
On the Goth of July NJ. Cambon presented a
communication signed by the duke of Almo-
dovar. the Spanish minister OF state, inviting
the United States to state the terms upon
which it would be willing to make peace On
July 80. by a communication addressed to the
duke of AlmodOvar and handed to M. CamOOn
the terms of this government we're announced
substantially as in the protocol afterwards
signed.
Immediately upon the conclusion of the pro-
toCol, 1 issued proclamation of August 10, suS-
pending hoStilitities on the part of the United
States. The necessary orders to that end were
at once given by telegraph. The blockade OF
the ports of Cuba and San Juan de Porto
Rico was in like manner raised. On August
IS. the muster out of 100000 volunteers, or as
near that number aswas found to be practicable
was ordered.
The message then recitcS the appointment OF
evacuation commissions for Cuba and Porto
Rico; also of the appointment OF VIM. X. Day.
late secretary of state Cushman K. Davis
VIM. p. Frye and Senator George Gray as
commission to proceed to Paris and arrange
terms of peace with a commission appointed
with Spain
OUR NEW POSSESSIONS.
L do not discuss at this time the government
| or the future Of the new possessions
! which will come to US Us the result
of the war with Spain. Such discus
sion will be appropriate after the treaty OF
peace shall be ratified. In the meantime and
until the congress has legiSlated otherwise. il
| will be my duty 10 continue the military gov
! ernmentS which have existed since our Occu-
patton and give the people security in life and
property. AMI encouragement under just anC
! benifcent rule.
! AS soon as we are in possession OF Cuba and
have pacifcd the island. it will be necessary tC
| give aid and direction to is people to form {
| government for themselves. This should be
/ undertaken at the earliest moment consistent
with safety and assured success. 1t IS i'm
DOrtant that our relations with these people
! shall be of the most friendly character and Oul
/ commercial relat ions close and reciprocal Il
! should be our duty to assist in every proper
/ way to build up the waste places of the island
encourage the industry CT the people and as
! sist them to form u government which shall be
! o,,6 ind fbnc REALIZING the hpSi