The National tribune., 1903-07-02

Oquendo, Maria Teresa and two torpedo.
boat destroyers, the Pluton and Furor. In
this action. only one man was killed on
our side and our ships suffered no injury
of any account
After the surrender Of Santiago on July
II, the army expedition. under Gen. Miles.
was conveyed to the southern coast Of
Porto Rico by the Massachusetts,, Colum-
bia. Yale. Dixie and Gloucester.
The city Of Ponce, Porto Rico. surren-
dered, on July 20, to small squadron COM
posed of the Dixie, Annapolis. Gloucester
and Wasp. and on Aug 1, the Gloucester
and Wasp took possession of Arroyo.
Throughout the entire period of the war
the blockade Of the coast of Cuba WAS
prosecuted with great vigor. and much SER
vice OF an extremely arduous and weary
ing character was rendered by the vessels
on this duty. The incidents of the block
ade are described elsewhere.
BRILLIANT HISTORY.
The history of the Navy during the war
is one Of continued efficiency and success.
1t is in many respects unprecedented.
Two Of the greatest naval victories Of all
time were won, practically without loss Of
life, injury TO person, or damage to naval
property. Not gun was lost or a flag
captured by the enemy. The health Of
our men and officers during the whole time
'ea' 40 c'oh 40 IL II bteH d ptElOu Ok
peace instead OF war. While the Navy
was well prepared at the beginning, it
must be remembered that, owing to the
large increase in the number of enlisted
men and volunteer officers, and of auxil-
iary ships with their armament and equip
ment, vast amount of work was neces-
sary, but it was done without delay or fric-
ton, and there was no emergency for
which the Navy was not ready. Yachts
converted eylInhp1tS nd fnl,Dht
as efficiently as if they had been encased
In armor. Great transport ships were con-
yerted into cruisers. Naval vessels con-
voyed the army, and it was our seamen
who landed the troops at Santiago. Sup
plies of provisions and clothing were fur
nished in the most satisfactory manner.
Three great supply ships, capable of
carrying meats, vegetables and other pro-
visions sufficient to maintain fleets for
months, Were aloat- The repair-ship Vul-
can, equipped in the most thorough man
ner with every appliance for repairing our
| ships and engines at sea. was in constant
attendance upon our fleet, and was navy
yard in itself. Distilling vessels and a
hospital ship were marked features. Medi-
cal arrangements were perfect; and the
whole condition of the Navy reflects the
highest credit, not only upon officers and
men afioat, but upon the successive AS
| sistant-Secretaries and the Commandants
| of naval stations and especially upon the
Chiefs of Bureaus at Washington. who
were charged with the duty of equipping,
provisioning and supplying the ships Of the
| fleets.
More gallant officers and men never
served on board ship. The professional
| spirit which animated them can not be too
highly praised. 1t was not confined to
any one branch Of the service-it ami
mated the officer on deck. the engineer in
| the bowels of the ship, the marine at his
| post, whether afloat or ashore-zeal and
pride in his corps was the characteristic
of each man. There was not only the JOY
Of the contest, the love of adventure, the
element of pluck and courage. but fine
sense of loyal service, of patriotic devo-
ton and of the determine ton to win. In
the glare of the glory of Manila, Santiago
and the sinking of the Merrimac, there is
danger of overlooking the repeated in
stances of conspicuous and heroic indi-
vidual gallantry which were occurring al
most every day and Of which the official
reports are full. 1t is only as we read
the complete accounts of the war that each
individual receives the due recognition Of
his services, and each act of gallantry its
need of praise. 1t is also to be said that
on both sides there was a great deal Of
| chivalrous feeling and that no personal
animosity toward the foe was exhibited.
When the battle was over, nothing could
exceed the tenderness and care with which
our officers and seamen risked their lives
to rescue and protect the foemen whom
they had vanquished. War is a horror
Of hardship and bloodshed, but if anything
can relieve its dark shadows, it is the
spirit with which the war with Spain was
undertaken and with which also it was
fought to a swift and victorious end.
JOHN D. LONG.
Dec. "a, 1893.
| TO be continued)