Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1898-04-30
The First Week OF the War.

under way over week. and the time
has been filled with important events.
Both our government and that of Spain
has formally declared war and publicly
announced its policy. Most of the
great nations of the world and Il num-
Der of the smaller ones have issued
proclamations of neutrality. and the
rest will quickly do the same, causing
SPANS wild vision of any alliance in
her behalf to vanish into thin air
England took the lead in this and her
attitude is distinct help to the
United States. Portugal's expression
Of neutrality is rather tardy, but re-
spanish squadron at Cape Verde, its
destination being a matter of Surmse.
The powerful American fleet under
Admiral Sampson, SO long kept in leash
at Key West, has established an effec-
tive blockade of Cubas principal ports,
and has captured a dozen prizes, some
of great value and Importance. The
only exchange of shots was that at
Matanzas, Wednesday. when it's bat
teries opened fire on our fleet without
effect, only to be promptly silenced by
the unerrnG Sunnery of our ships
which demolished the fortitications
and doubtless caused loss of life. Our
fleet in the Pacific is moving on the
Philippines where its object is to de-
feat the Spanish fleet in those waters,
and with the aid of the insurgents to
1t is expected the first naval battle
viii be fought there. The flying squad
ron remains at Hampton Roads, except
the Minneapolis and Columbia, which
are patrolinS the New England coast.
Uneasiness has been felt for the safety
of the battleship Oregon. coming alone
around Cape Horn, and the new cruiser
Topeka and liner Paris, purchased for
an auxiliary cruiser. both crossing the
Atlantic, but all are believed to be be-
yond danger. AS yet no damage to our
commerce has been done by Spain. and
it is not expected she will venture to
engage in privateering. much as she
would enjoy this form of piracy.
The call of the President for 125 900
volunteers has been issued and prompt
ly answered by a loyal and united
country. The quota will be. for the
most part. filled from the National
Guard and will be mustered into
days. The regular army. which will be
at once recruited to 90 900 men. is being
in the extreme South in readi-
ness to occupy Cuba. The great cities
of the coast have been thoroughly
fortified. and work is pushed to perfect
the defenses of all exposed points \
large fleet will soon he in readiness To
patrol the coast, and protect commerce.
Congress has been busy most of the
week with measure to provide war
revenue, framed by Mr. Dngley Of
Maine.
Thus far Spain has played merely 4
passive part. and whether or not she
will make an aggressive move remains
fleet and risk it's destruction? or will
she resist as long as possible in Cuba
and then, yielding to the inevitable as
far as the island is concerned. keep up
a desultory warfare on our commerce,
with perhaps an unexpected dash al
some exposed point for the sake Of
revenge? Her course is matter IF
surmise and mystery, but the end of
it all is plain. Our government has
established communication with the
Cuban insurgents, and will doubtless
provide them with arms and ammuni-
ton, and at the same time do every
thing possible to feed and relieve the
reconcentradOs. OF course our govern
llitul 10 iipL ttlllltS lilc pltt'ltI ito W oil
plans. and it is a matter of conjecture
whether it is proposed to at once in
wade Cuba with a large army or to let
our blockadinG fleet on the one hand
and the insurgents on the other. do the
work of bringing the Spaniards to the
only terms possible. their evacuation Of
the island 1t looks, however, like in
VaSion.
The first week of the war has been
filled with great events, and a strong
beginning has been made in the holy
war for humanity and freedom and ma
tional honor which our nation is wag-
ing. The right men are at the helm
and they are steering in the right
course. With such cause and such a
force against such a foe only one end
is possible. May the war be short and
sharp and decisive, every week taking
US much nearer it's glorious close
Those who point with alarm to the
number of foreiSn-b born among our
Seamen NAV be com Ortp1 nv a fa,y