Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1924-02-16


Lee, our CONSUL General at Havana
made reports to the department OF
State upon the condition of the
women and children in the concen-
tration camps in Cuba. The press
had been picturing these women and
children in the different stages OF
starvation and caused much excite
ment in this country and pearly
caused a rupture of our friendly re-
lations with Spain. This was the
condition of affairs that existed on
January 25, 1898, when the Battle
ship Maine arrived at Havana Har-
Dor. The Maine was on a friendly
visit and upon arrival she was con-
Quoted by regular pilot to Bouy
No. 4 and moored in from 1-2-6
fathoms of water. Capt. Sigsbee
called upon the Spanish officials and
assured them that the United States
government had nothing but friendly
feelings for Spain, but he could not
help but notice that the feelings Of
the Spaniards was the reverse.
At $40 P. NJ, on February 10,
1898 the Maine was destroyed and
PCS American seamen went down to
their deaths in the dark still waters
of Havana Harbor. A board of in
quiry appointed to investigate the
destruction Of the Maine, reported
back to President Mckinley that the
battleship was destroyed by the ex-
plosion of a mine under the bottom
of the ship at about frame Is and
was not in any respect due to the
fault or negligence of the ships Of
ficers and crew. The Maine was on
a friendly visit to Cuba, therefore,
this was not warfare, 1t was murder.
Excitement ran high and the peo-
pie and press of this country cried
out to Congress to avenge the Maine.
On April II, 1898. President Mckin-
ley sent a special message to Con-
gress, stating the unsatisfactory ne
gotiations with Spain, declaring that
in the name Of humanityand civlllZa-
ton and behalf of endangered Am
erican interests which gives a right
and duty to speak and act and that
war in Cuba must stop. A resolu-
ton was passed by Congress on
April IS, 1898, declaring that the
people of Cuba are of right and
ought to be free and Independent.
This resolution further demanded
that Spain withdraw from Cuba and
the President was directed to use
the military and naval forces OF the
United States to make this reSolu-
! ton effective. The resolution dis
claimed any intention on the part or
the United States to assume in any
way except for pacification any Jur-
i;C.ction over Cuba and declared Its
intention to leave the government
and control of the island to its peo-
pie"
/ Following suggestion of the
| President in special message sub
| mitted April %, 1898, Congress
adopted a resolution that war be and
| the same is hereby declared to exist
! and that war has existed since Aprll
| II, 1898. including said day between
| the United States and the Kingdom
of Spain, and Spain handed Consul
General Woodford his passports on
| that date. President Mckinney is
sued his proclamation to the neutral
powers announcing that the Unlteo
States and Spain were at war. COM
modore Simpsons fleet sailed from
Key West to begin the blockade OF
Havana. The Gunboat Nashville
captured the Spanish ship Buena
Ventura, firing the first shot in the
| Spanish American War. w h
! Sampson was blockading Havana
Commodore Schley was organizing
n squadron of fast steamers at Fort
| ress Monroe to assist Commodore
| Sampson in the blockade. While
these preparations were being made
other plans were being perfected &c
| attack the Spanish possessions III
| the far east and Commodore Dewey
was ordered to proceed from Hong
Kong to Manila Bay In the Phillip
| inc Islands and capture or destroy
! the Spanish fleet in those waters
| No speaker graphically reviewed the
historic events Of the war.
OF the sinking Of the Merrimacs by
| Com. Hobson and crew the speaker
said: 1.-The sinking OF the Merimae
| and the cutting OF the cables by ma
rines at Cienfuegos on May II, were
the most heroic acts of the Spanish
| American war. The marines were
only ninety feet from shore when the,
cut these cables. They grappied, rug
ced and cut cables for two and dns
! half hours under fire OF she Soan'
iards who We're lying behind breast
works or concealed in the crush
| They were the first men Of our iorce'
! to come under the enemy's fire IN ths
| war. These events showed the wor!C
what kind of men were defending tht
constitution and flag # the United
States."+
an the Spanish War The Philippine
Instruction and China Relief EXpe-
dition 45S,11 men were on the muster
rolls and 6lc6 of these men served II
foreign lands. The Tilipinos were
not satisfied with the treaty and at
tackled the American forces under
Gen. Otis and Real Admiral Dewey
but the Filipinos were driven back
with great losses. The Philippine In
surrection after n hard and bitter
campaign. came to an end with the
capture of AEuinaldo, the rebel chief
by General Funston, on March 81
The Spanish Americar War was
fought and won by vointeers. They
! were not born or bred to soldier life
because they loved the peace of quie'
ways hut when President Mckinley
| called for voluteers to defend the ma
TONS honor. they left the pillow. the
! bench. the counting rooms. came ur