The Lexington dispatch. [volume] (Lexington, South Carolina) 1870-1917, 1898-12-14

capture or destroy the formidable Spanish
feet then assembled at Manila At day
break Oh the morning of May the Amer
ican force entered Manila bay and after a
few hours engagement effected the total
| destruction Of the Spanish fleet. consist
ing of ten warsh:ps and transport, be-
sides capturing the naval station and forts
at Cavite, thus annihilating the Spanish
naval power in the Pacific ocean and com.
pletely controlling the bay of Manila with
the ability to take the city at will.
Following the comprehensive scheme Of
general attack powerful forces were as
sembled at various points on our coast to
invade Cuba and Porto Rico. Meanwhile
naval demonstrations were adopted at
several exposed points.
Youn. lIobson's Brave Deed.
The next acts of the war thrilled not
only the hearts Of our countrymen, but
the world Ey its heroism. On the night Of
June Lieutenant Hobson. aided by
seven devoted volunteers, blocked the mar
row outlet at Santiago harbor, by sinking
the collier Merrimac in the channel under
fierce fire from the shore batteries, es.
caping with their lives as by miracle,
but falling into the hands of the Span
iartls. They were subsequently exchanged
On June 22. the advance Of the invading
army under Major General Shafter landed
at Daiquiri, about Is miles east of Santi-
ago On July l severe battle took place,
our forces gaining the outworks at Santi-
ago. On the second FL Caney and San
Juan were taken after desperate charge
and the investment Of the city completed
On the d,y following the brilliant
achievement of our land force, July 3, oc-
Cured the decisive battle Of the war. The
Spanish fleet, attempting to leave the
harbor, was met by the American squad.
ron under command of Commodore Samp-
son. In less than three hours all the
Spanish ships were destroyed, the two
torpedo boats being sunk and the Maria
Teresa, Almirante Oauendo, Fiscaya and
Cristobal Colon driven ashore. The Span
fsh admiral and over 1900 men were taken
prisoners, while the enemy's loss OF life
was deplorably large, some 600 perishing.
On our side but one man was killed and
one seriously wounded.
With the catastrophe Of Santiago
Spaiu's power on the ocean virtually
ceased. The capitulation of Santiago
followed.
The occupation of Porto Rico became
the next stragetic necessity. General
Miles had previously been assigned to or
ganize an expedition for that purpose. Or
July q he entered Ponce, one OF the most
important ports in the island. for which
he thereafter directed operations for the
capture of the island. The campaign was
prosecuted with great vigor and by,Aug.
u much of the island was in our posses
sion and the acquisition OF the remainder
was only matter Of a short time.
Negotiations For Peace.
The annihilation of Admiral Cervera's
feet, followed by the capitulation of San
tiago, having brought to the Spanish gov
ernment a realizing sense of the hopeless.
ness of continuing struggle now becom-
ing wholly unequal, it made overtures of
peace through the French ambassador,
On Aug 12 NJ Cambon, as the plenipo-
tentiary Of Spain and the secretary Of
state as the pienipotent:ary of ths United
States, signed peace protocol and I ap-
pointed William R. Day, lately secretary
of state, Cushman X. Davis, William P.
Frye and George Gray, senator's of the
United States, and Whitelaw Reid to bs
the peace commissioners on the part OF
the United States. Proceeding in due
time to Paris, they there met on Oct.
five commissioners similarly appointed on
the part of Spain. The negotiations have
made hopeful progress. so that trust
soon to be able to lay definite treaty OF
peace before the senate with view OF the
steps leading to It's signature.
LIDO not discuss at this time the govern
ment or the future Of the new possessions
which will come to us as the result OF the
war with Spain. Such discussion Will Dc
appropriate after the treaty OF peace shaii
be ratified. In the meantime, and until
the congress has legislated otherwise, IL
will be my duty to continue the military
governments which have existed since our
occupation and give to the people security
in life and property and encouragement
under Just and beneficient rule.
AS soon rs we are in possession OF Cuoa
and have pacified the island it will be
necessary TO give aid and decision to It's
people to form 4 government OF them
selves It should be undertaken at the
earliest moment consistent with safety
and assured success. 1t is important that
our relations with these people shall be or
the most friendly character and our com
mercial relations 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 OF
the people and assist them to form gov
ernment which shall be free and indie
pendent thus realizing the best asplra-
tio3s 0; the Cuban people. Spanish rule
must be replaced by just, benevolent
ard humane government, created by the
people of Cuba. capable Of performing all
international obligations. and which shall!
encourage thrift, industry and prosperity
and promote peace and good will among
all OF the inhabitants. whatever may have
been their relations in the past. Neither
revenS nor passion should have a place
in the new government. Until there is
complete tranquility in the island and
stable government inauSuratcd military
occupation will be contiauei.
With the exception of the rupture with
Spain the intercourse OF the tuited States
with the great family Of nations has been
marked with cordiality and the close Of
the event finds most Of the issues that
necessarily arise in the complex relations
Of sovereign states adjusted or presenting
no serious obstacle to just and honor
able solution by amicable agreement.
The Lattimcr Tragedy.
Oa Sept. 10, 1897, n conflict took place at
I.rttimer, Pa, between a body Of striking