The Portland daily press., 1898-12-06

volunteers TO execute the purpose Of the
resolution. BY my message OF April 20
the congress was informed OF the S1tua-
ton and recenm ended formal declara-
ton of the existence of state of war be-
tween the United States and Spain. The
congress accordingly voted on the same
day the act approved April 20, 1898, de-
claring the existence of such war from
and including the 21st day of April, and
re-enacted the provision of the session OF
April 20, directing the president to use
all the armed forces of the nation to carry
that act into effect.
Due notification of the existence of wal
as aforesaid was given April rs by tele-
graph to all the governments with which
the United States maintain relations, In
order that their neutrality might be as
sured during the war. The various gov
ernments responded with proclamations
of neutrality, each after its own methods
In further fulfllment of international
duty I issued, April rs, 1888, q prociama-
ton announcing the treatment proposed
to be accorded to vessels and their car
goes as to blockade, contraband, the
exercise of the right Of search. and the
immunity OF neutral flags ana neutral
goods under enemy's flag. A similar
proclamation was made by the Spanish
government.
Our country thus, after an interval OF
half 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 LIS, 900 vol
unteers was instant and complete, as was
also the result Of the second call of May
25 for rs, 600 additional volunteers: The
ra r1ks Of the regular army were increased
to the limit provided by the act of April
rs, 1898.
The enlisted force Of the navy on Aug.
is. when 1t reached its maximum, num-
bered 24,123 men and apprentices. One
hundred and three vessels were added to
the navy by purchase, one was presented
to the government. one leased. and the
four vessels Of the International Navi-
cation company, the st. Paul. st. Louis,
New York and Paris were chartered. In
addition to these, the revenue cutters anc
lighthouse tenders were turned over 10
the auxiliary navy.
The signal corps was promptly organ
lied and performed service of the most
difficult and important character. Its
operations during the war covered the
electrical connection OF all coast fortifi-
cations, the establishment Of telephone
and telegrapihc facilities for the camps
at Manila, Santiago and in Porto Rico.
This service was Invaluable to the execu-
tive in directing the operations of the
army and navy. With total force Of
over 1900 the loss by disease in camp and
field, officers and men included, only five.
The national defense fund of $50 000. DOC
was expended in large part by the army
and navy, and the objects for which il
was used, was fully shown in the re-
ports of the several secretaries. It was
a most timely appropriation. enabling
the government to strengthen its de-
lenses and make preparations greatly
needed In case of war. 4,
This fund being inadequate to the re-
qufrements of equipment and for the
conduct of the war, the patriotism of the
congress provided fhe means In the war
revenue act of June Is by authorizing a
3 percent popular loan, not to exceed
$500 000, 0o0 and by levying additional
imposts and taxes. OF the authorized
loan 5000, 000, 900 was offered and promptly
taken the subscriptions SO far exceeding
the call as to cover It many times over.
This was a most encouraging and signi-
f1cant result showing the vast resources
of the nation, and the determination Of
the people to uphold their country's
honor.
Tt is not within the province of this
message to narrate the history of the
extraordinary war that followed the
Spanish declaration Of April II, 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 81, when de-
tachment of the blockading squadron
made a reconnaissance in force at Ma
tanzas, shelled the harbor forts and
demolished several works in course OF
construction.
The next engagement was destined to
mark a memorable epoch in marine 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 It proceeded to the Philip
pine islands under telegraph orders to
capture or destroy the formidable Span
ish fleet then assembled at Manila
At daybreak on May the American
force entered Manila bay and after few
hours enga cement effected the total de-
struction Of the Spanish fleet. consisting
of 10 warships and a transport besides
capturing the naval station and forts at
Cavite, thus annihilating The Spanish
naval power In the Pacific ocean and
completely controlling the bay of Ma.
Mia, with the ability to take the city at
will Not life was lost on our ships,
the wounded only numbering seven,
Wnfle NOT q VesSel was materially injured.
For this gallant achievement the con
gress, upon my recommendation, fifty
bestowed upon the actors permanent ana
substantial reward.
The effect of this remarkable victory
upon the spirit of our people and upon
the fortunes of the war was instant. A
prestige of invincibility thereby attached
to our arms which continued throughout
the struggle. Reinforcements were
hurried to Manila under the command of
Major General Merritt and firmly estab-
lished within sight of the capital. which
lay helpless before our guns
On May the government was advised
officially of the victory at Manila and at
once inquired of the commander of our
fleet what troops would be required. The
information was received on the 18th OF
May and the first army expedition sailed
May rs and arrived of Manila June 80.
Other expeditions soon followed, the
total force consisting of GAL officers and
Is, OBS enlisted men.
Only reluctance to cause needless loss
of life and property prevented the early
storming and capture of the city, and
Herewith the absolute military eoccu-
pancy of the whole group.
The insurgents meanwhile had re-
sumed the active hostilities suspended
by the uncompleted truce of December,
n