New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-12-06

General Skaters corps at Caimanera, w'thih
twenty miles of the Landing place csn'e s s;nr
opened giving direct communication WIN inc
Government at Washington. This service was
Invaluable to the Executive In directing the
onerations OF the Army and Navy. with
total force Of over 800 the loss was by disease
in camp and field. officers and men Included only
five.
EXPENDITURE OF THE NATIONAL DE-
FENCE FUND.
Tho National defence fund OF $50. 100000 was
expended in large part by the Army and Navy
and the objects for which IT was used are fuiiy
shown in the reports of the several secretaries
1t was a most timely appropriations enabling
the Government to strengthen its defences ana
make preparations greatly needed In case OF
war.
This fund being inadequate to the require
ments OF equipment and for the cohouc'
of the war. the patriotism OF the con-
gress provided the means in the War Revenue
act of June Is. by authorizing per cent pop
ular loan not TO exceed four hundred million
dollars and by levying additional imposts ana
taxes. OF the authorized loan. Two hunuren mn
lions We're offered and promptly taken, the SUI
scriptions so far exceeding the can as 10 ,a
it many times over, while preference being
given to the smaller bids. no single allotineht
exceeded five thousand dollars. This was most
encouraging and significant result showing tne
vast resources OF the Nation and the determ-
nation of the people to uphold their country
honor. -
1t is not within the province Of this Message
10 narrate the history of the extraordinary war
that followed the Spanish declaration or April
u. but brief recital Of its more salient features
is appropriate.
took place April 81 when detachment OF the
blockading squadron made reconnaissance IN
force at MatanZas. shelled the harbor forts ana
DEMOLISHED several works In course OF con-
struction.
THE BATTLE OF MANILA
The next engagement was destined to marx
a memorable epoch in marine 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 tho customary twenty-four hours
notice being given. it repaired to Mrs Bay near
Hong Kong. whence it proceeded to the Philip
pine Islands under telegraphed orders to cap
ture or destroy the formidable Spanish heet
then assembled at Manila. At daybreak on the
1st Of May the American: force entered Manila
Bay and after few hours engagement erected
the total destruction of the Spanish feet. con-
sisting OF ten warships and a transport. pe-
sides capturing the naval station ana torts at
Cavite, thus annhilating the Spanish naval
power in the Pacific Ocean and completely con-
trolling the BAY Of Manila, with tho ability 10
take the city at will Not a life was lost on
our ships. the wounded only numbering seven
while not vessel materially injured For
this gallant achievement the Congress. upon my
recommendation. fifty bestowed upon the actors
permanent and substantial reward.
The effect of this remarkable victory upon the
spirit Of oar people and upon t. fortunes OF
the war was instant. \ prestige Of invincibility
thereby attached to arms. which continued
throughout the struggle. Reinforcements were
hurried TO Manila under the command or Major
General Merritt. and firmly established within
sight Of the capital which lay helpless bcfor-
guns
TROOPS SENT TO MANILA
On the 7th day 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 he required. The information
was received on the 18th day of May, and the
first army expedition saird May - and arrived
off Manila June 30. Other expeditions soon fol-
lowed the total force consisting OF GIL officers
and l5O5S enlisted men,
Only reluctance to cause needless loss ~ life
ana property prevented the early storming and
capture Of the city. nd herewith the absolute
military occupancy Of the whole group. The IN
surgents meanwhile had resumed tho active hos
tilities suspended by the uncomp.eted truce 81
December. 1897. Their forces invested Manila
from the northern and eastern sides. but were
constrained by Admiral Dewey and General
Merritt from attempting an assault. II was At
ting that whatever was to be done in the way
of decisive operations in that quarter should bc
accomplished by the strong arm Of the United
States alone. Obeying the stern precept 81 war.
which enjons the overcoming Of the adversary
and the extinction of his power whereye. as
sailable as the speedy and sure means To win
peace divided victory not permissible.
for no partition Of the rights and responsible
ties attending the enforcement Of a just and adj
vantageous peace could be thought OF.
Following the comprehensive scheme or gen
eral attack powerful forces were assembled az
various points on our coast to INVADE CUBA ana
Porto Rico. Meanwhile naval demonstrations
were made az several exposed points on May ii
the cruiser Wilmington and torpedo boat Wirs-
low were unsuccessful in an attempt 10 silence tn,
batteries at Cardenas. a gallant ensign. Worth
Ragley and four seamen falling These griev-
Gus fatalities We're strangely enough. among
the few which occurred during our naval opera
tons in this extraordinary conflict.
CERvERAs APPROACH
Meanwhile the Spanish naval preparations had
been pushed with great vgor 4 powerful
SQUADRON under Admiral Cervera. which had
assembled at the Cape Nerd Islands before the
outbreak Of hostilities. had crossed the ocean.
and by it's erratic movements In the Caribbean
Sea delayed our military plans while battling
the pursuit Of our fleets. For time fears were
felt lest the Oregon and Marietta, then nearing
home after their long voyage from San Fran
cisco Of over 5000 miles might he surprised
by Admiral Cerveras feet. but their fortunate
arrival dspelled these apprehensions and lent
much needed reinforcement. Not until Admiral
Cervera took refuge in the harbor of Santiago
de cuba, about May 10. was +, practicable to
plan a systematic naval and military attack
upon the Antilleaa possessions of Spain.
Several demonstrations occurred on tho coasts
Of Cuba and Porto Rico in preparation for the
larger event. on May Is the North Atlantic
Squadron shelled san Juan de Porto Rico. On
May 80 Commodore Schey's squadron bom
hardcd the forts guarding the mouth Of San
tiago Harbor. Neither attack had any material
enc How DO I
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