Virginia gazette. [volume] (Williamsburg, Va.) 1893-192?, 1898-12-10

and earnest individual effort through the |
organized agencies OF the American Rad /
Cross. Thousands OF lives were thus saved
but many thousands more were fnacce..
sible 20 such forms OF aid
The war continued on the old footing
without comprehensive plan. developing
only the same spasmodic encounters bar
ren OF strategic result. that had marked the
course OF the earlier ten years rebellion az
well as the present insurrecttOn from St.
start. No alternative save physical exhaus-
tfon OF either cOmbatant and therewsthAl
the practical ruin ofthe island Law in sight
but how far distant 60 one could venture
30 conjecture.
Destruction OF the Maine.
Az this juncturs, on the 18th day OF Feb
ruary last, occurred the destru ction OF the
nattieship Maine while rightfuiiy lying In
tne harbor OF Havana on mission OF In
ternattonai courtesy and good villa ca
tastrophe. the suspicious nature aud hor-
ror OF which stirred the nations heart pro-
toundly. II Is striking evidence Of the
poise and sturdy good sense distinguish
ing our national chRs acter that this shock
Ing blow. falling upon generous people.
Nreedy deeply touched by prec eding events
IN Cuoa. DID not move them to an instant.
desperate resolve TO tolerate the existence
OF a condition OF danger and disorder AZ our
doors that m ade possible such deed. bv
ShomsOever wrought. Yet the instinct OF
/ justice prevailed. ana the nation anxiously
awaited the result OF the searching inves-
ugation 1t once set on foot. The hndinr
\ OF the Naval Board OF Inquiry established
4 that the origin % the explosion was evter-
nSi by submarine mine. and only halted.
/ through lack of positive testimony, 70 hK
the responsibility oi its authorship.
Preparations For War.
All these things carried conviction TO tho
I most thoughtful. even before the anding
OK the naval court. that crisis in our re-
letions with Spain and toward Cuba was
/ at hand. SO strong was THIS belief that II
needed but = brief executive suggestion to
/ the Congress 20 receive immediate answer
10 the duty OF making instant provision
tCr tho possible and perhaps speedily prob
! able emergency OF war, and the remark
able, almost unique. spectacle was pre-
sented of a unanimous vote OF both houses
on the 9th OF March. appropriating ESQ. o.
10000 for tho national d-iense. and for
each and every purpose connected there
with. "to De expended at the discretion OF
the President"
The President then reviews AZ langth the
various attempts 20 bring about peaceful
solution OF the question and SAWS that he
was grleved and disappointed at the bar
rem outcome OF his sincere endeavors 20
reach a practicable solution He then re-
lates how he placed the matter In ths
hands Of Congress.
Congress Takes Quick Action.
The response OF the Congress. he con-
tinues. after nine days OF earnest dslibera-
tion, during which the almost unanimous
sentiment OF your body was developed on
every point save as 20 tAe expcdiency OF
coupling the proposed action With \ formal
recognition ot the republic OF Cuba az the
trus and lawful Government OF that islanc
"A proposition which failed OF adoption
the Congress, after conference. on the 18th
OF fApril, by a vote OF - 20 35 in the Sensts
and Sil 20 IN the House OF Representa-
tives. passed their memorable Joint resolu-
ti0n.
The message continues nv saying that a
copy OF the resolutions was AZ once com
municated 20 the spanish Minister at wash
tngton, who Immediately demanded hi.
passports. They were given to him. and
the spanish interests were left in the pro
lection OF the French Ambassador and tn,
Austrian Hungarian Minister.
simultaneously With the notice Of the
resolutions 20 the Spanish Minister, n,
text was cabled to General Stewart I.
I WOodfOrd. the American Minister az Mad
rid, who was TO communicate Il 20 th'
I Spanish Government Before he could a,
so the Spanish Minister OF state notified
htm that. upon the Presidents approval O
/ rhe joint resolution, the Madrid Govern
ment, regarding the act as equivalent Z,
+ an evident declaration OF war" had or
dered its Minister in Washington 10 with
, draw. thereby breaking Of diplomatic re
l | lRtlOns between the two countries an,
= ceasiug all o1icial Communication betweet
/ their especttve represents atiVes. Genera
. Woodford thereupon demanded his pass
q ports and quilted Madrid the same day.
q The President reviews the preparation
% Tor the beginning OF hOstilities. Spail
: having initiated tue war. blockade Of th
= north coast OF Cuba was proclaimed, an
}. the call for volunteers was issued. Tn
various Governments were notified OF tn
existence OF war. ia order that their neu
= trality might be assured. The response Z
{ the initial call for l25 900 troops Was instan
and complete. and a second call for rs. 90
: additional volunteers was issued.
Z The navy Il referred TO, showing its cor
q ditiOn when war was declared. as we'll a
! the means employed 20 protect the Atlantl
= seaboard and the cities lying along th
y coast from any possible attack. The cOa'
L Signal Service VAS c-=1ni=ad AID an auxi
tary fleet created, which was Ofricered an
% manned by the naval militia OF the sever
= States. Mines were also laid in the var
Gus harbors.
!, The work OF the Signal Corps Is referrs
- to, IL being OF an important charaete
~ Electrical connections OF all coast fortl
" cations were established. as we'll as tel
= phonie and telegraphic facilities for q
camps at Manila. Santiago and Porto Ric
% y Field telegraph lines were established ~
maintained under the enemys IRE at Ma
=. liza. A cable ship was placed in CUB
~ waters, which rendered service III
10 was Invaluable 10 the Executive in co
y. | ducting the operations OF the arr
"a $5O, ,000, 900 defense fund Is dwelt upo
" 1t helped the Government 10 strength
., the defenses OF the coIntry and 20 ma
- adequate preparations for war The 20
~ ular loan OF 5000. .O00, 900, which was su
=. scribed TO so promptly, IS mentioned
= showing the vest resources OF the nati
"A and the determination OF the people 10 U
- hold the country's honor.
- The President states that IL Is 7
- within the province OF the message 10 ~
- rate the history OF the extraordinary "
a r1n nil ~ har