Progress of the War Between Spain and the United States of America

pleased that it is about ended. It hardly seems, though, to my mind, that we have been sailing for thirty days with only an occasional glance at land. While it has been long, there has been a monotony in it that has obliterated all trace of time, and from one day to the next it is difficult to keep track of the day and date. Tomorrow, Sunday, the 17th, will be a day for us to remember. Day before yesterday it was stormy and rough during the whole day, but through the mist and clouds we caught sight of There v/as much gazing land on the horizon to the north of us. at it, as it warned us that we were in the group of islands captured by Dewey. Next morning as soon as we were up we could see land on both sides of us. The day was calm, and consequently excessively warm. We were near enough to see the wooded uplands and hills, and the breakers dashing against the rugged beach on the north. About 11 o'clock we spied the smoke of a vessel directly in our course. We watched it as it came nearer and nearer with a great deal of wonder, and guessing as to its nationality and its intentions. What if it were a Spanish gun-boat lying in waiting for us?

We could not oifer effectual resistance and would be taken. The China sped on ahead to ascertain who she might be, and from their signals we soon learned it was one of our own craft. She lowered a boat and sent a messenger to the China, which signalled us to stop as soon as we came up to them. As soon as she (the China) gave orders to the other vessels of the squadron and ordered three cheers for our escort, the Boston, she left us to hasten on to Manila. What that means we are unable to find out at present. We, of course, got the latest news that the Boston had received from Hong Kong, and though it is quite old, we feel still that it is news. The principal things we have learned are concerning the battle at Santiago, and the dispatch of the Spanish fleet to Manila. That means that perhaps we will have something to do to hold the advantage already gained, and if we are compelled to retain it by fighting, v/e expect to do our duty and still come out masters of the situation. The Boston, now sailing in our lead, is not a large vessel, but appears a formidable craft with her iron sides and her mounted batteries. Her largest guns are two eight-inch guns. She has a

ACROSS THE PACIFIC. 55

great many smaller ones. There areno railings around her decl, which is dovm very close to the water; in fact, very little of the vessel is high above the water. She was right in the thickest of the fight at Manila, but to us there was nothing to show that she helped in one of the greatest naval victories of the world. Her company seemed to us a safeguard against possible attack by some wandering Spanish gun-boat. The boys stand and look at her for long stretches of time. It is warm again today, but not so warm as yesterday. There is not much breeze stirring, but we have shade to protect us from the direct rays of the sun. In the distance, landward, there is a little shower passing; in fact, we can see them in nearly every direction. We are beginning to learn already that it is as easy for nature to weep and shed tears as it is for a baby. I hope we shall be so located that the eifects of the frequent storms will be reduced to the least possible danger. We were discussing it the other day with Captain Young, and during the talk he showed us a pictorial magazine on Manila. A great many of the houses in the country were built high above the ground on poles tied to the trunks of palm trees. Think of us swinging among the cocoanuts in company with children of our remote ancestors(?) —monkeys. If the weather we are getting now is any criterion we shall need such luxuries. I expect by tomorrow morning we will be with Dewey. Whether

we will go ashore at once or not I cannot say. The general impression is that we will. I believe the other expedition has been

landed. If we land there is apt to be so much to do that I cannot

find time to write any more before the mail leaves. We are anchored right in the middle of Dewey's fleet, where he had his famous battle. We can see the hulls of the sunken vessels, or their rusty smoke-stacks and stripped masts. As we were coming in the harbor we could see the smoke and hear the report of cannon off in the direction of Manila. We are told that it is fighting between the Insurgents and Spaniards, and has been going on every day for a good long time. The cannonading is not very heavy and perhaps they are only skirmishing. The first expedition landed after the first night and are in barracks. — We may be stationed in the same place Cavite.

PROGRESS OF THE WAR BETWEEN SPAIN AND THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.

(continued from page 842, no. 11, vol. I.)

VI.

While the events related in our last chapter were occurring in Cuba, the troops were being pushed forward for the Philippines. Four transports carrying 4,200 men, forming the second Manila expedition, sailed from San Francisco on June 15th under command of General F. V. Greene, and on the 27th of the same month the third expedition sailed in the transports Indiana, Ohio, Morgan City, and City of Para, commanded by General Arthur McArthur. On June 29th General Merritt, who commands the forces sent to the Philippines, sailed from San Francisco. On June 30th the United States Cruiser Charleston and the three transports of the first Philippine expedition arrived at Cavite. On the way to the Philippines the Charleston took possession of Guam, Ladrone Islands, June 21st and carried six Spanish officers and fifty-four men from the garrison, prisoners to Cavite. So with the first installment of United States troops on the ground, and the second and third well on the way everything was shaping itself for decisive work and a speedy settlement of affairs in the Philippines. On the same day several thousand Spanish reinforcements succeeded in entering Santiago. And now we come to one of the most glorious and important events of the war. Glorious because of the magnificent work of our war vessels and the humanity and generosity displayed by our

;

PROGRESS OF THE WAR. 57

officers and men towards the Spaniards when the victory was won and important because it practically closed the war ; for Spain soon after this battle, seeing the hopelessness of continuing the struggle^ sued for peace. The capture and occupation of the outer works of Santiago, and the almost certain fall of the city in the near future, appears to have determined Admiral Cervera to carry out the repeated instructions of his government, and make a dash out of the harbor in the hope of escaping; ^preferring, to use his own words, to have his ships destroyed at sea, fighting like a sailor, to having them ignobly captured or destroyed in the harbor with no chance of defending himself. On Sunday morning July 3rd, Admiral Sampson, on his flagship New York, sailed eastward about seven miles on his way to confer with General Shafter at Siboney. The Massachusetts, New Orleans, and Newark had left the line and were about forty miles to the eastward for coal, provisions, and ammunition. The remainder of the American fleet, the cruiser, Brooklyn, Commodore Schley's flagship, the battleships Iowa, Oregon, Texas, and Indiana and the converted yachts, Vixen and Gloucester lay lazily outside the harbor of Santiago with Sabbath stillness all around them and apparently nothing to disturb the monotony which had marked the days and weeks already spent on the blockade. A column of smoke could be seen rising just back of the high hill at the entrance of Santiago harbor and the ofiicers on duty were carefully watching it. Suddenly at 9: 30 a.m. the cry rang out from the navigator of the Brooklyn, "After bridge, there! Report to the commodore and the captain that the enemy's ships are coming out!" Then commenced a sea fight destined to be known as one of the most memorable in history. The Spanish ships, under full head of steam followed each other in rapid succession out of the harbor and darted to the westward, in the following order: Maria Teresa, Vizcaya, Cristobal Colon, and Almirante Oquendo, followed by the torpedo boats Furor and Plutmi. Every American vessel was speedily under way and in barely three minutes from the time the alarm was given every ship was

cleared for action and every man was in his appointed place ready for the battle. Led by the flagship Brooklyn the great ships rushed to the fight and engaged the Spaniards. The fire of the American gunners was deadly and rapid, and in an incredibly short time four of the Spanish ships were ashore, wrecks. The firing had commenced at 9: 40 o'clock. At 10: 30 the Maria Teresa and the Oquendo were on the beach on fire and riddled with shot and shell. The two torpedo boats, Pluton and Furor were destroyed earlier in the fight. The Vizcaya and Colon were making every effort by a running fight to escape, and for a while it looked as if at least one of them would succeed. The Brooklyn was following them closely, but their speed was too great for the Indiana, Texas, and Iowa, and these vessels turned to the rescue of the enemy on the burning Spanish vessels. Now, however, it became apparent that the Oregon v/as leaving the other battleships and with great clouds of smoke pouring from her funnels, was coming rapidly to the aid of the Brooklyn. The Vizcaya has been classed by critics as the superior of the Brooklyn, but fearing nothing, Commodore Schley ordered his captain to "get in close" and was soon pouring two thousand pounds of metal against the Vizcaya every three minutes. The Oregon had now come near enough to pour in several six inch projectiles and in about thirty-five minutes after the Brooklyn closed in on her, the Vizcaya was on fire and was headed for the shore. The Cristobal Colon, which to all appearance had so far escaped injury, was now about four miles ahead of the Brooklyn with the Oregon a little farther behind. These two great vessels took up the chase with the Texas following about five miles in their rear. For an hour and a half the chase continued without much gain on either side, but every effort was made by the Brooklyn and

Oregon and they began to gain slowly on the enemy. At 12:20 o'clock the Oregon threw two thirteen-inch shells after the Colon but they both fell short; the second, however, struck so close astern that it threw tons of water on the deck of

PROGRESS OF THE WAR. 59

the flying foe. At 12:40 our ships had gained so much on the Spaniard that the Brooklyn was able to land a few eight-inch shots against her sides and it was seen at once that the race was nearing its end, and without an attempt at a last fight the Cristobal Colon, the last of Admiral Cervera's fleet, ran ashore and surrendered at about 1 :20. And so in less than four hours the flower of the Spanish navy was utterly destroyed and Spain's sea power entirely blotted out. The Spanish losses were about six hundred lives, 1,300 prisoners and $12,000,000 of property. Among the prisoners was Admiral Cervera, who surrendered to Lieut.-Commander Wainwright of the Gloucester. The most marvelous fact is that only one man was killed and three wounded, all on the Brooklyn, and this is doubly wonderful when it is known that that vessel was hit more than thirty times. Every effort was made by the American ofiicers and men to save the lives of the brave fellows on the wrecked and burning Spanish ships, and hundreds of them were rescued. A writer in the Review of Reviews says: "The victory in its racial, moral, and material aspects reminds one irresistibly of that over the Spanish Armada. But it has no dark spot upon it. The Spaniards were fed and clothed by the Americans, their wounded were tended by our surgeons, their dead wrapped in their own flag and buried with all the honors of war. Nor by word or deed was any one of the prisoners reminded of his humiliation."

The first news of this glorious event reached the United States in the following dispatch from Admiral Sampson:

3:15 p. m., Siboney, July 3. To the Secretary of the Navy: — The fleet under my command offers the Nation as a Fourth of July present the destruction of the whole of Cervera's fleet. "Not one escaped. It attempted to escape at 9:30 a. m., and at 2 p. m. the last, the Cristobal Colon, had run ashore six miles west of Santiago and let down her colors. "The Infanta Maria Teresa, Oquendo, and Vizeaya were forced ashore, burned and blown up within four miles of the port. Our loss one killed and two wounded.

"Enemy's oss probably several hundred from gunfire, explosions, and drowning. "About 1300 prisoners, including Admiral Cervera. "The man killed was George H. Ellis, chief yeoman of the Brooklyn^ "SAMPSON."

This reached the country on the morning of July 4th, and with it came word that the Ladrones had been seized and the first Manila expedition had safely landed at Cavite, The people everywhere were wild with delight and the nation's birthday was never before celebrated so enthusiastically and with such thankfulness. All eyes were now turned to Santiago and the army investing it. At 8:30 o'clock on the morning of July 3rd General Shafter demanded the surrender of the city. An hour later Cervera made his daring dash for liberty with the result already stated. This, of course, entirely changed the naval and military situation, and it was thought that the fall of the city could be accomplished much more easily by the co-operation of the fleet in the harbor, and the army on land. In the meantime, however. General Shafter, having received confirmation of the statement that General Pando with 6,000 men had entered Santiago, and realizing the strength of the fortifications and entrenchments of the city and the exhausted condition of his own troops after their terrible experiences at San Juan and El Caney, called for reinforcements, and immediate steps were taken by the authorities at Washington to send additional troops to his assistance. While the soldiers lay in the trenches outside Santiago awaiting reinforcements and the navy still remained at the entrance of the harbor ready to co-operate with them. President McKinley issued on July 6, 1898, the following most beautiful proclamation, breathing a spirit of true Christianity, calling upon the people of our nation to return their thanks to God for His marvelous care of our army and navy: To the People of the United States of America: At this time, when to the yet fresh remembrance of the unprecedented success which attended the operations of the United States fleet in the bay of Manila on the 1st day of May last, are added the tidings of the no less glorious achievements of the naval and military arms of our

PROGRESS OF THE WAR. 61

beloved country at Santiago de Cuba, it is fitting that we should pause, and, staying the feeling of exultation that too naturally attends great deeds wrought by our countrymen in our country's cause, should reverently bow before the throne of Divine Grace and give devout praise to God, who holdeth the nations in the hollow of his hands and worketh upon them the marvels of His high will, and who has thus far vouchsafed to us the light of his face and led our brave soldiers and seamen to victory, I therefore ask the people of the United States, on next assembling for Divine worship in their respective places of meeting, to offer thanksgiving to Almighty God, who in His inscrutable ways, now leading our hosts upon the waters to unscathed triumph, now guiding them in a strange land through the dread shadows of death to success, even though at a fearful cost, now bearing them without accident or loss to far distant climes, has watched over our cause and brought nearer the success of the right and the attainment of just and honorable peace. With the Nation's thanks let there be mingled the Nation's prayers that our gallant sons may be shielded from harm alike on the battlefields and in the clash of fleets, and be spared the scourge of suffering and disease while they are striving to uphold their country's honor; and withal, let the Nation's heart'; be stilled with holy awe at the thought of the noble men who have perished] as heroes die, and be filled with compassionate sympathy for all those who suffer bereavement or endure sickness, wounds, and bonds by reason of the awful struggle. And above all, let us pray with earnest fervor that He, the dispenser of all good, may speedily remove from us the untold afflictions of war and bring to our dear land the blessings of restored peace, and to all the domain now ravaged by the cruel strife, the priceless boon of security and tranquillity. William McKinley, Executive Mansion, Washington, D. C, July 6, 1898.

On July 7th Lieut. Hobson and his brave men who sank the " Merriraac " in the mouth of Santiago harbor, were exchanged for a

Spanish lieutenant and fifteen men who had been captured at El Caney. Several days passed before the reinforcements could arrive at Santiago and the truce was extended from time to time. Opportunity was given to General Toral, in command of the Spanish forces, to communicate with the Madrid government, and telegraph operators were sent to him from the American lines for that purpose. On July 9th General Toral offered to surrender the city if his troops were allowed to withdraw with their arms. This was refused

by General Shafter.

:

On the 10th, the expected reinforcements arrived at Siboney and were rapidly moved to the front, and on the 11th General Miles arrived in Cuba and conferred with General Shafter and Admiral Sampson. Pending the arrival of additional troops General Shafter had greatly strengthened the American lines around Santiago. Siege guns and mortar batteries had been placed in position and every preparation made to bombard the city if the Spanish commander refused to surrender. On July 10th and 11th some shells v/ere thrown into the city by the land batteries and by the ships outside the harbor, but before long the bombardment was stopped. After several propositions had been made by the Spaniards and rejected by the American government, General Toral was notified that he must accept the terms of the United States and surrender or negotiations would close and the bombardment of the city commence. On July 14th, Santiago surrendered. The terms of the capitulation were that the Spaniards should surrender all the troops in the province of Santiago de Cuba, which includes all the eastern end of the island, leaving in the hands of the Americans all their arms and munitions of war, and all the forts and defenses of the city to be left intact. The United States agreed to transport the troops thus surrendered back to Spain at the expense of this government. On Sunday, July 17th, the formal surrender was made and the stars and stripes were hoisted over the governor's palace in Santiago. General McKibben was appointed temporary military governor. Following is the report made by General Shafter to the adjutant-general at Vv?"ashington on the day of the formal surrender:

Santiago de Cuba, July 17. "Adjutant-General, United States Army, Washington " I have the honor to announce that the American flag has been this

instant, 12 o'clock, noon, hoisted over the house of the civil government, in the city of Santiago. An immense concourse of people present. A squadron of cavalry and a regiment of infantry presented arms and band playing national air. Light battery fired salute of twenty-one guns. Perfect order is being maintained by municipal government. Distress is very great, but little sickness in town. Scarcely any yellow fever. "A small gunboat and about 200 seamen left by Cervera have surrendered to me. Obstructions are being removed from the mouth of harbor.

: : :

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" Upon coming into the city I discovered a perfect entanglement of defenses. Fighting as the Spanish did the first day, it would have cost 5,000 lives to have taken it. Battalions of Spanish troops have been depositing arms since daylight in our armory, over which I have guard. General Toral formally surrendered the plaza and all stores at 9 a. m. "W. R. Shapter, Major-General."

Headquarters United States Army, Santiago, July 17th. "To Adjutant-General, United States Army, Washington: " My ordnance officers report about 7,000 rifles turned in today and 600,000 cartridges. At the mouth of the harbor there are quite a number of fine modern guns, together with a saluting battery of fifteen old bronze guns. Disarming and turning in will go on tomorrow. List of prisoners not yet taken. Shafter, Major-General Commanding."

On July 18tli a state document was issued by direction of President McKinley providing for the government of the province of Santiago de Cuba. It announces the assumption of the government of

the province by a new political power, and guarantees to the people of the territory affected absolute security in the exercise of their rights. It is the first document of the kind ever issued by a President of the United States, and marks a new epoch in American history. Following is a full text of the document

Adjutant General's Office, Washington, D. C., July 18, 1898. "General Shafter, Santiago, Cuba : "The following is sent you for your information and guidance. It will be published in such a manner in both English and Spanish as will give it the widest circulation in the territory under your control

Executive Mansion, Washington, D. C., July 18, 1898. "To the Secretary of War Sir: —The capitulation of the Spanish forces in Santiago de Cuba and

in the eastern part of the Province of Santiago and the occupation of the territory by the forces of the United States, render it necessary to instruct the military commander of the United States as to the conduct which he is to observe during military occupation.

The first effect of the military occupation of the enemy's territory is the severance of the former political relations of the inhabitants and the establishment of a new political power. In this changed condition of things, the inhabitants, so long as they perform their duties, are entitled to security in their persons and property and in all the private right and relations. It is my desire that the inhabitants of Cuba should be acquainted with the purpose of the United States to discharge to the fullest extent its obligations in this regard. It will

therefore be the duty of the commander of the army of occupation to announce and proclaim in the most public manner that we come not to make war upon the inhabitants of Cuba, nor upon any party or faction among them, but to protect them in their homes, in their employments, and in their personal and religious rights. All persons who either by active aid or by honest submission, co-operate with the United States in its efforts to give effect to this beneficent purpose will receive the reward of its support and protection. Our occupation should be as free from severity as possible. Though the powers of the military occupation are absolute and supreme and immediately operate upon the political condition of the inhabitants, the municipal laws of the conquered territory, such as affect private rights of person and property, and provide for the punishment of crime, are considered as continuing in force, so far as they are compatible with the new order of things, until they are suspended or superseded by the occupying belligerent, and in practice, they are not usually abrogated, but are allowed to remain in force, and to be administered by the ordinary tribunals, substantially as they were before the occupation. This enlightened practice is, so far as possible, to be adhered to on the present occasion. The judges and other officials connected with the administration of justice may, if they accept the supremacy of the United States, continue to administer the ordinary law of the land, as between man and man, under the supervision of the American commander-in-chief. The native constabulary will, so far as may be practicable, be preserved. The freedom of the people to pursue their accustomed occupations will be abridged only when it may be necessary to do so. While the rule of conduct of the American commander-in-chief will be such as has just been defined, it will be his duty to adopt measures of a different kind, if, unfortunately, the course of the people should render such measures indispensable to the maintenance of ^law]andlorder. He will then possess the power to replace or expel the native officials, in part or

altogether, to substitute new courts of his own construction for those that now exist, or to create such new or supplementary tribunals as may be necessary. In the exercise of these high powers the commander must be

PROGRESS OF THE WAR. 65

guided by his judgment and his experience, and a high sense of justice. One of the most important and most practical problems with which it will be necessary to deal is that of the treatment of the property and the collection and administration of the revenues. It is conceded all public funds and securities belonging to the government of the country in its own right, and all arms and supplies and other moveable property of such kind may be seized by the military occupant and converted to his own use. The real property of the state he may hold and administer, at the same time enjoying the revenues thereof, but he is not to destroy it save in the case of military necessity. All public means of transportation, such as telegraph lines, cables, railways and boats belonging to the State may be appropriated to his use, but unless in case of military necessity, they are not to be destroyed. All churches and buildings devoted to religious worship and to the arts and sciences, all schoolhouses, are, so far as possible, to be protected, and all destruction or intentional defacement of such places, of historical monuments or archives, or of works of science or art, is prohibited, save when required by urgent military necessity. Private property, whether belonging to individuals or corporations, is to be respected and can be confiscated only as hereafter indicated. Means of transportation, such as telegraph lines and cables, railways and boats, may, although they belong to private individuals or corporations, be seized by the military occupant, but unless destroyed under military necessity are not to be retained. While it is held to be the right of the conqueror to levy contributions upon the enemy in their seaports, towns, or provinces which may be in his military possession by conquest, and to apply the proceeds to defray the expense of the war, this right is to be exercised within such limitations that may not savor of confiscation. As the result of military occupation the taxes and duties payable by the inhabitants to the former government become payable to the military occupant unless he sees fit to substitute for them other rates or modes of contribution to the expenses of the government. The moneys so collected are to be used for the purpose of paying the expenses of government under the military occupation, such as the salaries of the judges and the police and for the payment of the expenses of the army. Private property taken for the use of the army is to be paid for when possible in cash at a fair valuation, and when payment in cash is not pos-

sible, receipts are to be given.

All ports and places in Cuba which may be in the actual possession

of our land and naval forces will be opened to the commerce of all neutral nations, as well as our own, in articles not contraband of war, upon payment of the prescribed rates of duty which may be in force at the time of the importation. William McKinley. By order of the Secretary of War. H. C. CoRBiN, Adjutant-General.

On July 20th the United States government awarded the contract for transporting the Spanish prisoners to Spain, to the Spanish Trans-Atlantic Company. The total cost of the movement of these prisoners is estimated at about $550,000. Here is a sight never before witnessed in the world. A nation having entered upon a war for no other purpose than to bring freedom to an oppressed people, after having been victorious in every engagement on land or sea, transporting the prisoners taken from the enemy, thousands of miles to their native land and hiring the ships of the conquered foe in which to carry them. And thus at every step in this remarkable war new lustre is added to our great nation, not so much by its victories in the field and on the ocean, as by its wonderful magnanimity and exhibition of high and noble purpose.