Aberdeen herald. [volume] (Aberdeen, Chehalis County, W.T.) 1886-1917, 1898-12-08
PROGRESS OF THE CONFLICT.
Brilliant Series of Victories for
American Arms.

1t Is not within the province of this
message to narrate the history of the
extraordinary war that followed the
Spanish declaration OF April q. but a
brief recital of It's more salient features
is appropriate. The first encounter Of the
war in point of date took place April
q, when a detachment Of the blockading
squadron made a reconnaissance in force
a MatanZas shelled the harbor fortifica-
tons and demolished several new works
in construction.
Dewey at Manila.
The next engagement was destined to
mark memorable epoch In maritime war
fare. The Pacific fleet. under Commo-
dore George Dewey. had lain for some
weeks at Hong Kong. Upon the colonial
proclamation of neutrality being issued
and the customary "a hours notice being
given. 1t repaired to Mrs bay. near Hong
Kong. whence 1t proceeded to the Philip
pine islands under Geographic orders to
capture or destroy the formidable Span
ish fleet then assembled at Manila. At
daybreak on May l the American force
entered Manila bay, and after few hours
engagement effected the total destruction
Of the Spanish fleet. consisting of 10 war
ships and a transport. besides capturing
the naval station and forts at Cavite. thus
annihilating the Spanish naval power in
the Pacific ocean and comp.e tely control
ling the bay of Manila, with the ability
to take the city at WILL Not life was
lost on our ships. the wounded number
ing only seven, while not a vessel was
materially injured. For this gallant
achievement congress, upon my recon-
mendation, fifty bestowed upon the actors
preferment and substantial reward
No Divided Victory.
Only reluctance to cause needless loss
Of life and property prevented the early
storming and capture of the city, and
Herewith the absolute military occupation
OF the whole group. The insurgents,
meanwhile, had resumed the active hos
tilities suspended by the uncompleted
truce Of December. 1897 Their forces in
vested Manila on the northern and east
ern side, but were constrained by Admiral
Dewey and General Merritt from attempt
ing an assault. 1t was fitting that what
ever was TO be done in the way Of de-
cisive operations in that quarter should be
accomplished by the strong arm OF the
United States alone
Obeylng the stern precept of war, which
enJoins the overcoming of the adversary
and the extinction OF his power wherever
assailable as the speedy and sure means
TO win a peace, divided victory was not
permissible, for no partition of the rights
and responsibilities attending the enforce
ment OF just and advantageous peace
could be thought of.
Following the adoption Of a comprehen-
s!ve scheme Of general attack, powerful
1orces were assembled at various points OF
our coast to invade Cuba and Porto Rico
Meanwhile. naval demonstrations were
made at several exposed points. May Ii
tne cruiser Wilmington and torpedo boa
"ins!ow were unsuccessful In an attempt
to silence the batteries at Cardenas, in
Matanzas, Ensign Worth Bagley and four
seamen falling. These gr!evous fatalities
were strangely enough among the very
rev which occurred during our naval
operations in this extraordinary conflict.
HObsOn's HerOism.
The next act in the war thrilled not
alone the hearts Of our countrymen. but
the world. by Its exceptional heroism
On the night Of June Lieutenant Hob
son. aided by seven devoted volunteers.
blocked the narrow outlet from Santiago
harbor by sinking the collier Merrimac in
the channel under a fierce Are from the
shore batteries. escaping with their hives
as by a miracle. but falling into the
hands OF the Spanards. 1t rs a most graf;
Trying Incident Of the war that the bray-
cry or this little band Of heroes was cor
daily appreciated by the spaniards, who
sent nag OF truce TO notify Admiral
Sampson Of their safety and to compl,-
ment them upon their daring act. They
were subsequently exchanged, July 7.
by June the cutting of the last Cuban
cable Isolated the island. Thereafter the
invasion was vigorously prosecuted. June
~ uhoer heavy protecting fire, a land
Ing force of 600 marines from the Oregon.
Marblehead and Yankee was effected at
guantanamo bay. where 1t had been de-
termined to establish a cable station. This
important and essential port was taken
from the enemy after severe fighting by
the marines, who were the first organized
force Of the United States to land in Cuba.
The position so won was held, despite the
desperate attempts to dislodge our forces
by June IS additional forces were landed
and strongly intrenched
June = the advance Of the invading