The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1898-12-06

Nlt Llldt lIlt ObllSdLibIlS OF ICulldllN
We're impartiauy discharged by all
often under delicate and difficult cir
/ cumstances.
In further fulhlment of international
duty, | issued, April &c, 1898, a procla-
nation announcing the treatment pro-
posed TO be accorded to vessels and
their cargoes as to blockade, contra
band the exercise of the right of search
and the immunity of neutral flags and
neutral goods under the enemy's flag.
/ A similar proclamation was made by
the Spanish government. In the CON
duct of hostiliues the rules Of the
/ declaration of Paris. including alb
stention from resort to priNateering,
/ have accordingly been observed by both
belligerents although neither was a
party 10 that declaration.
Our country thus, after an interval of
half q century of peace with all nations,
found itself engaged in deadly conflict
with foreign enemy. Every nerve was
strained to meet the emergency. The
response to the initial call for 12500G
volunteers was instant and complete,
! as was also the result Of the second call
Of May %, for 5000 additional Volun-
teers. The ranks of the regular army
We're increased to the limit provided by
the act of April 20, 1898.
The enlisted force of the navy on the
3
its maximum numbered pa men and
apprentices. one hundred and three
vessels were added TO the navy by pur-
chase, one was presented TO the gov
eminent, one leased, and the four YES
i, sells of the International Navigation
Company. the st. Paul. St. Louis, New
York and Paris We're chartered.
In addition to these, the revenue cat
ters and lighthouse tenders were turned
j, s,4,
came temporarily q part of the auNil-
larry navy.
The maximum effective fighting force
of the navy during The war. separated
into classes, was as follows:
-Four battleships of the first class;
one battleship of the second class. two
armored cruisers, six coast defense
monitors, one armored ram. p
protected cruisers, three unprotected
cruisers, IS gunboats one dynamite
cruiser, II torpedo boats; vessels Of The
old navy, including monitors, Il. Aux
Hilary; II auXuliary cruisers, Is convert
ed yachts, p converted tugs, 10 con-
verted Golfers. - revenue cutters, sew
en- lighthouse tenders and 10 miscenan-
eous vessels.
Much alarm was felt along our en-
tire Atlantic seaboard lest some at
tack might be made by the enemy
Every precaution was taken to prevent
injury to our great cities lying along
the coast. Temporary garrisons were
provideded, drawn from the state mi
litia: infantry and light batteries We're
drawn from the volunteer force. About
$4,000 troops were thus employed. The
coast signal service was established
for observing the approach of an enc
mys ships to the coast of the United
states and the life saving and light
house service cO-operated, which ena-
bled the navy department to have all
portions of the Atlantic coast from
Maine to Texas under observation
The auxiliary navy was created under
the authority of congress and was Of
ficered and manned by the naval mill
tia Of the several states. This organ
ization patrolled the coast and per
formed the duty OF. a second line of
defense.
Under the direction of the chief of en-
gineers, submarine mines were placed
at the most exposed points. Before the
outbreak of the war permanent mining
case-mater and cable galleries had
been constructed at nearly all impor-
tant harbors. Most Of the torpedo ma
terial was not to be found in the mar
/ ket, and had to be specially manufac-
tured. Under date of April 10, district
officers We're directed to take all pre-
! liminary measures, short of actual at
tachiug of the loaded mines 10 the ca
bles, and on April % orders were issued
to place the loaded mines in position
The aggregate number of mines
placed was 1885, at the principal har-
bors from Maine to California. Prepa--
atoms 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
placed.
The signal corps was promptly or
ganized, and performed service of the
most difficult and important character.
Its operations during the war covered
the electrical connection of all coast
fortifcations, the establishment of tel
ephonic and Geographic facilities for
the camps at Manila. Santiago and in
Porto Rico. There We're constructed
300 miles of line at ten great camps,
thus facilitating military movements
from these points in a manner hereto
fore unknown in military administra-
/ ton. Field telegraph lines We're estab-
iished and manned under the enemy s
I fire at Manila and later the Manila
/ Honk Kong cable was reopened.
4 In Porto Rico cable communications
We're opened over a discontinued route
and on land the headquarters of the
! commanding officer was kept in tele-
! graphic or telephonic communication
/ with the division on four different lines
/ Of operations.
There was placed in Cuban waters a
completely QUILTED cable ship, with
war cables and cable gear, suitable both
/ for the direction of communications be
longing to the enemy and the estab-
! liShment of our own. Two ocean ca
/ bles We're destroyed under the enemy's
! batteries at Santiago. The day pre-
Vious to the landing of Gen. Skaters
corps at Caimanera, within 20 miles OF
! the landing place. cable cOmmunica-
tons We're established and cable sta
| ton opened, giving direct communica-
/ ton with the government at Wash
/ ington. This service was invaluable
to the executive in directing the opera
/ tons Of the army and navy With a
total force Of over 1900. the loss by dis
ease in Camp and field, officers and
men included, only five.
NATIONAL DEFENSE FUND.
The national defense fund of the $50,
100000 was expended in large part by
the army and navy and the objects fol
which it was used are fully shown III
the reports of the several secretaries
IT was a most timely appropriation, en-.
abling the government to strengthen
it's defenses and make preparations
greatly needed in case of war
This fund being Inadequate TO the re,
quirements of equipment and for the
conduct of the war; the patriotism OF
the congress provided the means in The
war revenue act of June 10, by author
izing a three per cent popular loan no
to exceed four hundred millions, and BY
leVying additional imports and taxes