The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1898-12-09

ties for the camps at Manila, Santiago
and in Porto Rico. There were con-
structed 300 miles of line at ten great
camps, thus facilitating military
movements from those points in a
name heretofore unknown in militia
ry administration. Field telegraph
lines were established and maintained
under the enemy's fire at Manila and
later the Manila Hong Kong cable
was Teopened.
I'm Porto Rico cable communications
were opened over a discontinued route
and on land the headquarters of the
commanding officer was kept in tele-
graphic or telephone communication
with the division commands on four
| different lines of operations.
There was placed in Cuban waters
a completely QUILTED cableship, with
war cables and cable gear, suitable
both for the destruction Of cornmuni-
cations belonging to the enemy and
the establishment of our own. Two
ocean cables were destroyed under the
enemy's batteries at Santiago. The day
previous to the landing of General
Skaters corps at Caimenera, within
twenty miles of the landing place,
cable communication were established
and a cable station opened, giving di-
rect communication with the govern
ment at Washington. This service was
invaluable to the executive in directing
the operations of the army and navy.
With a total force Of owe 1900 the
loss was by disease in camp and field,
officers and men included, only five.
THE FIFTY MILLION APPROPRI-
ALTON.
9TH national defense fund of $50
900, 900 was expended in large part by
the army and navy and the objects
for which it was used are fully shown
in tho rnrnrfc Of thn cnxrnrol cncrata
ries. It was a most timely appropria-
ton, enabling the government to
strengthen it's defenses and make prep
aratiOnS 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 18th by
authorizing a 3 per cent. popular loan
not to exceed $500, 900, 900 and by levy
ing additional imports and taxes. OF
the authorized loan 5000, 600, 900 were Of
fered and prOmtly taken, the subscrip-
tons so far exceeding the call as to
cover it many times over while prefer
ence being given to the smaller bids,
no single allotment exceeded $4,000.
This was a most encouraging and sig
nificant result, showing the vast re-
sources of the nation and the determi-
nation of the people to uphold their
country S nOnOf.
CHIEF FEATURES OF THE WAR.
cit is not within the province of this
message to narrate the history of the
extraordinary war that followed the
Spanish declaration of April 21st, but
a brief recital of it's more salient fea-
lures is appropriate.
1.-The first encounter of the war, in
point of date, took place April 9th,
when a detachment of the blockading
squadron made a reconnaissance in
force at Matanzas, shelled the harbor
and thus demolished several new
works in course of construction.
DEWEY'S VICTORY.
The next engagement was destined
to mark a memorable epoch in mari
time warfare. The Pacific fleet under
Commodore George Dewey had lain for
some weeks at Hong Kong. Upon the
colonial proclamation of neutrality
being issued and the customary twen-
ty-four hours notice being given, it
repaired to Ministers bay, near Hong
Kong, whence it proceeded to the Phil
ippine islands under telegraphed or
derS to capture or destroy the for
midable Spanish fleet assemble at
Manila. At daybreak on the LIST of May
the American force entered Manila bay
and after a few hours engagement eff
fected the total destruction of the
III llOSly vi NSlb N"i
ships and one transport, besides ap-
turing the naval station of Cavite, thus
annihilating the Spanish naval power
in the Pacific ocean and completely
controlling the bay of anil with the
ability to take the city at will. Not a
life was lost on our ships, the oun
ed only numbering Seven, while not a
vessel was injured. For this gallant
achievement the congress-, upon my
recommendation, fifty bestowed upon
the actors preferment and SubStan-
tial reward. The effect Of this remark
able victory upon the spirits of our
people and upon the fortunes of the
war was instant. A prestige of in
vincibility thereby attached to our
arms, which continued throughout the
struggle. Reinforcements were hur-
ried to Manila under the command of
Major General Merritt and firmly es-
tablished within sight of the capital,
which lay helpless before our guns.
ION the 7th of 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 day of May
and the first army expedition sailed
May 25th and arrived June 3Oth. 9th
er expeditions soon followed, the total
force consisting of GAL officers and
Is. 05S 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
occupancy of the whole group. The in
surgents meanwhile had resumed the
active hostilities suspended by the
uncOmpleted truce of December, 1897.
Their forces invested Manila from the
northern and eastern side. but were
constrained by Admiral Dewey and
Genera Merritt from attempting an
assault. 1t was fitting that whatever
was to be done in the way of decisive
operations in that quarter should be
accomplished by the strong arm of
the United States alone. Obeying the
stern precept of war, which %enjoins the
overcoming of the adversary and the
extinction of his power wherever as |
sailable as the speedy n sure means
to win a peace, divided victory was
not permissible. for no partition Of the
rights and responsibilities attending
the enforcement Of a just and advan-
tageous peace could be thought IF.
DEATH OF ENSIGN BAGLET.