The record-union., 1898-12-06


tions Of the army and navy.
With total force of over 1900, the
loss was by disease in camp and field,
officers and men included, only fiye
HOW TT WAS SPENT.
The national defense. under the $50
100000 fund, was expended in large
part by the army and navy and the
objects for which it was used are fully
shown in reports of the several Secre-
taries. 1t was a most timely appro-
priation. enabling the Government to
strengthen its defense 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 au-
thorizing a popular loan not to ex-
ceed four hundred million dollars and
by levying additional imports and
taxes. OF the authorized loan. two
hundred millions were offered and
promptly taken from the subscriptions
so far exceeding the call as to cover it
many times over, while the preference
being given to the smaller bids, no sin
dollars. This was a most encouraging
and significant result, showing the vast
resources of the nation and the deter
mination of the people to uphold their
country's honor
1t is not within the province of this
message to narrate the history of extra
ordinary war which followed the Span
ish declaration of April 21st, but
brief recital Of it's more salient feat
ures is appropriate. The first encoun-
ter of the war; in point of date. took
place April 9th, when detachment Of
the blockading squadron made recon-
noissance in force at Matanzas. shelled
the harbor forts and demolished several
new works in construction.
DEWEY'S VICTORY.
The next enga cement was destined
to mark memorable epoch in maritime
warfare. The Pacific fleet under Com
modore George Dewey, had lain for
some weeks at Hongkong. Upon the
colonial proclamation of neutrality be-
Ing issued and the customary twenty
four hours notice being given it re-
paired to Mrs Bay, near Hongkong,
whence it proceeded to the Philippine
Islands under telegraph orders to cap
ture or destroy the formidable Spanish
fleet then assembled at Manila. AT
daybreak on the 1st of May, the Amer
lean force entered Manila Bay and after
few hours engagement, effected the
total destruction of the Spanish fleet.
consisting of ten warships and a trans
port, besides capturing the naval sta
ton and forts at Cavite, thus annihilat-
ing the Spanish naval power in the Pa
c1flc Ocean and completely controlling
the bay of Manila, with the ability to
take the city at will. Not a life was
lost on our ships, the wounded only
numbering seven, while not a vessel
was materially injured. For this gall
iant achievement the Congress, upon
my recommendation, fifty bestowed
upon the actors preferment and SUBJ
stantial reward.
Inc ERECT of this remarkable victory
upon the spirit of our people and upon
the fortunes of war was instant. A
prestige of invincibility thereby at
tached to our arms, which continued
throughout the struggle. Reinforce
ments were hurried to Manila under
the command Of Major General Merritt.
and firmly established within sight of
the capital, which lay helpless before
our guns. On the 7th day of May the
Government was advised officially of
the victory at Manila and at once in
quired of the commander of our feet
what troops were required The infor-
nation was received on the 10th day of
May and the first army expedition
sailed May 25th and arrived at Manila
| June 3Oth. Other expeditions soon fol-
lowed, the total force consisting of 641
officers and 1868 men, Only reluc-
tance 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 insurgents mean
While had resumed the active hostiIities
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 General Merritt from at
tempting an assault. 1t was fitting that
Whatever was done in the way of decis-
i've operations in that quarter, should
be accomplished by the strong arm of
the United States alone Obeying the
stern precept of war, which enioins the
overcoming of the adversary and the
extinction of his power wherever as
sallable as the speedy and sure means
| to win a peace, divided victory was not
permissible, for no partition of the
rights and responsibilities attending the
enforcement of just and advantageous
peace could be thought Of Following
the coming of the comprehensive
scheme OF tfoo ol~
forces were assembled at various points
on our coast to invade Cuba and Porto
Rico. Meanwhile, naval demonstra
t1ons were made at several exposed
| points. On May 18th, the cruiser Will
mington and the torpedo boat Winslow
We're unsuccessful in an attempt to ST.
lence the batteries at Cardenas. against
Matanzas, Worth Bagley and four sea-
men falling. These grievous fatalities
were strangely enough among the very
few which occurred during our naval
| operations in this extraordinary con-
| fict.
THE SPANISH FLEET.
! Meanwhile the Spanish naval prep
arations had been pushed with great
v.gor. A powerful squadron under Ad-
rira1 Cervera, which had assembled at
the Cape Verde Islands before the out
| treak of hostilities, had crossed the
ocean and by it's erratic movements in
! the Caribbean Sea, delayed our mill
tary operations while battling the pur-
suit of our fleets. For a time fears
were felt lest the Oregon and Marietta.
then nearing home after their long
voyage from San Francisco of over l5.-
| 0H miles, might be slIrnrisad hv Al