The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-07-18
THE SANTIAGO CAMPAIGN.

Now that Santiago is ours, 1t is fitting
season to take account of the fruits of
our victory. June q General Shafter land
ed his army at Baiquiri. The fighting,
which compelled the surrender of Torars
army practically ended July 8. There has
been some cannonading since. The lighting
was done when only 1900 men had been
landed and when the enemy must have had
a considerably large force within striking
distance The Santiago campaign is now
ended. A corps of about 10000 men have
surrendered and half a provinces, 1a6
square miles of territory, embracing four
ports. of which one is the best harbor of
refuge in the West Indies, and the second
town in Cuba, with all of their armament
and defenses.
This is great achievement for so small
an army in so brief a period, and yet it
might have been costly in the way which
a humane people considers Incompatible
human life. 1t is in the small loss of life
less than four hundred killed and those who
have died will die of wounds. Any loss
in life may be held as priceless under nor
NAL conditions: but in war armies are the
currency, and results are valuable or val
ueless as they are worth or fail to be worth
the lives lost. When the loss of life by the
capture of Santiago is compared with the
losses of our own and other countries to
obtain corresponding results in other wars
it will be known to be the smallest ever
incurred for such significant results At
a cost of four hundred lives, in three weeks
under the most adverse circumstances, we
have captured one-fourth of Spains army
in Cuba and have obtained a foothold on
the island which is of the highest advan-
tage, without taking into consideration the
destruction of Cerveras fleet With so
small loss in men the United States has
demonstrated its ability to drive the Span
iards out of Cuba without a great loss of
life.
In this connection 1t needs be said that
that surprising result is not due to hap
hazard. Men who are paid to criticise can
show US that this or that convenience was
not provided; nevertheless, there is ample
evidence that the essentials for so impor-
tant a campaign were provided for by a
knowledge and experience which makes
war scientific. The best disciplined troops
and most experienced leaders were select
ed for the expedition. To fit out the expe-
dtion money was spent freely, but it was
spent so as to insure success with the least
loss of life. The President and his adj
viserS had plan and preparation in hand,
and they could not be moved from taking
every precaution to perfect both by the
clamors of certain critics or the impotence
of many people. They waited to ascertain
the truth about the phantom fleet that
might interrupt the expedition. When all
was ready the expedition sailed, and when
1t sailed there was no break in the plan
until victory came. Victory came because
of the skill of the officers and the valor of
the troops. but the plan and the organiza-
ton which made the campaign scientific
war were devised and carried out by the
officers who have acted under the general
direction of the President. 1t is not so
much the winning of victory that should
cause the American people to rejoice, but
that victory has been won so intelligently
and with such abundant evidence of wise,
prudent and yet vigorous leadership, that
there is confidence that similar victories
will soon end the war with the least ex-
penditure of life.