--- title: Improvement Era description: Monthly periodical of the Mormon church, 1897 onward. This library holds the issues of November 1897 to December 1930. authors: - Young Men’s Mutual Improvement Associations collections: - periodicals tags: - magazine - improvement-era periodical: Improvement Era volume: 2 number: 2 published: 1898-12 publisher: Young Men’s Mutual Improvement Associations publisher_place: Salt Lake City language: en type: magazine reference: 'Young Men’s Mutual Improvement Associations, "Progress of the War Between Spain and the United States of America, Concluded", *Improvement Era* 2, no. 2 (December 1898): 128–134.' source: url: https://archive.org/details/improvementera22unse transcription: Transcribed from the Internet Archive scan of each issue (the item for each issue is named in the issue's own source); unnumbered advertising leaves are omitted, printed page numbers are kept as page markers. identifier: improvementera22unse start_page: 128 end_page: 134 rights: status: public-domain basis: US publication 1930 or earlier (published 1898-12) source: https://archive.org/details/improvementera22unse publication_year: 1898 note: The Internet Archive item metadata carries a blanket "© Copyright by Intellectual Reserve, Inc." notice. The library owner judged it inapplicable because this issue was published in 1898, before 1931; a scan-level notice does not restore copyright. --- # Progress of the War Between Spain and the United States of America, Concluded PROGRESS OF THE WAR BETWEEN SPAIN AND THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. (continued from page 66, no. 1.) VII. For some time an expedition to Porto Rico had been contemplated by the military authorities at Washington, and when Santiago fell it was immediately decided that a military force should be sent to take possession of that valuable island. Accordingly on July 21st the main body of the military expedition destined for Porto Rico sailed from Guantanamo Bay under command of General Miles. The invading army was conveyed to its destination by the Massachusetts, Dixie, Gloucester, Cincinnati, Annapolis, Wasp, Yale and Columbia. The troops numbered about 3,400 men, including four light batteries of the Third and Fourth Artillery, and Battery B of the Fifth Artillery. The landing was effected at Guanica, a port on the southern coast of Porto Rico, fifteen miles west of Ponce. Only slight resistance was offered by the Spaniards, consisting of a skirmish between the Gloucester's launch crew and a small force of Spanish troops. The Americans then occupied the place under General Miles, and the stars and stripes were raised amid great enthusiasm, the inhabitants professing loyalty to the United States. After effecting this landing and the capture of Ponce, the invading army marched across the island north in the direction of San Juan, situated on the north coast of Porto Rico, as that was the army's objective point. But little resistance was offered, the invad- PROGRESS OF THE WAR. 129 €irs being generally welcomed by the inhabitants, who had grown tired of Spanish tyranny. At Coamo there was a slight resistance, but the Americans captured the town after killing three Spanish officers and nine privates. There was also an artillery fight near Aibonito, one American officer was killed and four privates wounded, after which the place surrendered. In the meantime the invading army was drawing near San Juan, when further hostilities were stopped by the arrival of the news that the peace protocol had been signed at Washington and orders given to stop fighting. MOVEMENTS IN THE PHILIPPINES. Meantime some interesting events were taking place in the Philippine Islands. On the 22nd of July Aguinaldo, the Philippine insurgent leader, having grown insolent, proclaimed himself dictator of the Islands. On July 29th the American troops who had been quartered at Cavite, were moved forward in the direction of Manila as far as Malate. On the 31st of July they were attacked in the night by Spanish troops, who were repulsed with great loss. It was at this battle that the Utah troops, especially those in Battery A, Captain Richard W. Young commanding, distinguished themselves. Following is a detailed account of the fight sent from Manila via Hong Kong, on August 9th. It will be seen from the report that the arrival of several American expeditions, which had been sent to Manila, had made the Spaniards desperate. The story of the battle begins with an account of the forces under General Greene moving up from Cavite to Malate: "Gen. Greene's force, numbering 4,000 men,!had been advancing and intrenching. The arrival of the third expedition filled the Spaniards with rage, and they determined to give battle before Camp Dewey could be reinforced. The trenches extended from the beach three hundred yards to the left flank of the insurgents. "Sunday was the insurgent feast day and their left flank withdrew, leaving the American right flank exposed. Companies A and E of the Tenth Pennsylvania and Utah battery were ordered to reinforce the right flank. "In the midst of a raging typhoon, with a tremendous downpour of rain, the enemy's force, estimated at 3,000 men, attempted to surprise the camp. Our pickets were driven in and the trenches assaulted. The brave Pennsylvania men never flinched, but stood their ground under a withering fire.. " The alarm spread, and the First California regiment, with two com- panies of the Third artillery, who fight with rifles, were sent up to reinforce the Pennsylvanians. The enemy were on top of the trenches when these reinforcements arrived, and never was the discipline of the regulars better demonstrated than by the work of the Third artillery under Captain O'Hara. Nothing could be seen but flashes of Mauser rifles. Men ran right up to the attacking Spaniards and mowed them down with regular volleys. UTAH BATTERY COVERED WITH GLORY. "The Utah battery, under Capt. Young, covered itself with glory. "The men pulled their guns through mud axle deep. Two guns were sent around on the flank and poured in a destructive enfilading fire. The enemy was repulsed and retreated in disorder. Our infantry had exhausted its ammunition and did not follow the enemy. Not an inch of ground was lost, but the scene in the trenches was one never to be forgotten. "During the fiashes of lightning the dead and wounded could be seen lying in blood-red water, but neither the elements of heaven nor the destructive power of man could wring a cry of protest from the wounded. They encouraged their comrades to fight and handed over their cartridge belts. "During the night the Spanish scouts were seen carrying off the dead and wounded of the enemy. The American dead were buried next day in the convent of Maracaban. "On the night of August 1st the fighting was renewed, but the enemy had been taught a lesson and made the attack at long range with heavy artillery. "The Utah battery replied and the artillery duel lasted an hour. One man was killed. He was Fred Springstead, First Colorado, and two men were wounded. "On the night of August 2nd the artillery duel was renewed. Two men were badly wounded and are this morning reported dead, which brings the total dead to thirteen, with ten in the hospital mortally hurt. "Gen. Greene issued this address to the troops: 'Camp Dewey, near Manila. —The Brigadier-General commanding desires to thank the troops engaged last night for gallantry and skill displayed by them in repelling such a vigorous attack by largely superior forces of Spaniards. " 'Not an inch of ground was yielded by the Tenth Pennsylvania infantry and Utah artillery stationed in the trenches. " PROGRESS OF THE WAR. 131 " *A battalion of the Third artillery and First regiment California infantry moved forward to their support through a galling fire with the utmost intrepidity.The courage and steadiness shown by all in the engagement is worthy of the highest commendation,' Notwdthstanding the fierceness of the battle and the prominent part the Utah troops took in it, there were none killed or wounded. The press dispatches throughout the country all spoke in the highest terms of the bravery and efl&ciency of the Utah battery^ and of the admirable way in which Captain Young handled his men. The New York World of the 11th of August, in speaking editorially" of the part taken by the Utah troops, said: "Our latest State has borne its share in adding to the glory of th^ nation. In the battle of Malate the Utah light artillery, whose guna were dragged through deep mud to send shrapnel into the Spaniards' ranks, showed itself deserving of all honor. Utah has had its troubles in the past, but when she sends such a contribution to the nation we wipe out the memory of all troubles." On the 7th of August, Admiral Dewey and General Merritt joined in demanding the surrender of Manila, which, however, was refused, and preparations for taking the city by storm were at once made, and on August 13th, the fleet under Admiral Dewey and the troops under General Merritt made a simultaneous attack on the city of Manila.The troops led by Generals McArthur and Greene carried the Spanish works with a loss in killed, missing, and wounded of about fifty men. The navy sustained no loss whatever. After six hours' hard fighting the Spanish authorities surrendered the city with about 7,000 prisoners. The following are the terms of capitulation: First —The Spanish troops, European and native, capitulate the city and defenses, with all honors of war, depositing their arms in the places designated by the authorities of the United States, and remaining in the quarters designated and under the orders of their officers and subject to control of the aforesaid United States authorities until the conclusion of the treaty of peace between the two belligerent nations. All persons included in the capitulation remain at liberty; the officers remaining in their respective homes, which shall be respected as long as they observe the regulations prescribed for their government and the laws in force. Second —The officers shall retain their side arms, horses and private property. All public horses and public property of all kinds shall be turned over to the staff officers designated by the United States. Third —Camplete returns in duplicate of men by organizations and full lists of public property and stores shall be rendered to the United States within ten days from this date. — Fourth All questions relating to the repatriation of officers and men of the Spanish forces and of their families and of the expenses which said repatriation may occasion, shall be referred to the government of the United States, at Washington. Spanish families may leave Manila at any time convenient to them. The return of arms surrendered by the Spanish forces when they evacuate the city, or when the Americans evacute. Fifth — Officers and men included in the capitulation shall be supplied by the United States, according to their rank, with rations and "necessary aid, as though they were prisoners of war, until the conclusion of a treaty of peace between the United States and Spain. All the funds in the Spanish territory and all other public funds shall be turned over to the authorities of the United States. Sixth —This city, its inhabitants, its churches and religious worship, its educational and business and its private property of all description* are placed under the safeguard of the faith and honor of the American army. Military government was immediately proclaimed by General Merritt. Thus the city of Manila, together with the whole group of the Philippine Islands, were at the disposal of the American gov- ernment. The disastrous events which had overtaken the Spanish government in this war with. America, and the singular immunities from the accidents of war on the part of the Americans, compelled the Spanish to take into consideration the necessity of suing for peace; and accordingly on the 25th of July a message was drawn up by the Spanish government addressed to the government at Washington proposing an armistice for the purpose of drafting terms upon which peace with the United States could be arranged. The day following, through M. Jules Cambon, ambassador of France to the United States, Spain opened negotiations looking toward the establishment of peace. For some time there was diplomatic fencing on the part of Spain to obtain the most advantageous terms upon which peace could be secured, and her representatives manifested a dis- PROGRESS OF THE WAR. 133 position to resort to the dilatory tactics for which Spanish diplomacy is famous; but the American government was not in a mood to yield too much; and at last, on the 12th of August, the peace protocol was signed, at 4:23 o'clock in the afternoon, Secretary Day representing the United States and M. Cambon, the French ambassador, representing the Spanish government. The following conditions of the peace protocol were officially announced: —That Spain relinquish claims of sovereignty over and First will all title to Cuba. Second—That Porto Rico and other Spanish the West islands in Indies, and an island in the Ladrones, to be selected by the United States, shall be ceded to the latter. — Third That the United States will occupy and hold the city, bay and harbor of Manila, pending the conclusion of a treaty of peace which shall determine the control, disposition and government of the Philippines. — Fourth ^That Cuba, Porto Rico and other Spanish islands in the West Indias shall be immediately evacuated, and that commissioners to be appointed within ten days shall within thirty days from the signing of the protocol meet at Havana and San Juan respectively to arrange and execute the details of the evacuation. Fifth —That the United States and Spain will each appoint no more than five commissioners to negotiate and conclude a treaty of peace. The commissioners are to meet at Paris, no later than the 1st of October. — Sixth On the signing of the protocol, hostilities will be suspended and notice to that effect will be given as soon as possible by each government to the commanders of its military and naval forces. As soon as the peace protocol was signed, the president of the United States issued the following proclamation: By the President of the United States of America —A Proclamation. Whereas, By a protocol concluded and signed August 12, 1898, by William R. Day, Secretary of State, of the United States, and his excellency, Jules Cambon, Ambassador Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary of the Republic of France, at Washington, respectively representing for this purpose the government of the United States and the government of Spain, the United States and Spain have formally agreed upon the terms on which negotiations for the establishment of peace between the two countries shall be undertaken; and. Whereas, It is in said protocol agreed that upon its conclusion and signature, hostilities between the two countries shall be suspended and — notice to that effect shall be given as soon as possible by each government to the commanders of its military and naval forces Now, therefore, I, William McKinley, President of the United States, do in accordance with the stipulations of the protocol declare and proclaim on the part of the United States a suspension of hostilities and do hereby command that orders be immediately given through the proper channel to the military and naval forces of the United States to abstain from all acts inconsistent with this proclamation. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and caused the seal of the United States to be affixed. Done at the City of Washington, this 12th day of August, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and ninety-eight, and of the Independence of the United States the one hundred and twenty-third. William McKinley. Orders were sent to the American commanders everywhere in the field to cease fighting, the blockades of Havana, Porto Rico and Manila were raised, and the war between America and Spain may be said to have closed. Peace commissioners were appointed by the respective governments to draw up the final treaty of peace, and settle all the terms upon which it was to be granted. The peace commissioners on the part of America are: Mr. W. R. Day, late Secretary of State; Mr. Whitelaw Reid; Senator Gray; Senator Frye; Senator Davis; and Mr. Moore was made Secretary. The peace commissioners appointed on the part of Spain are: M. Eugene Montero Rios, president; General R. Cerero; M. J. de Garnica; M. W. Z. de Villaurrutia; and M. Buenaventura Abarzuza. This peace commission is now holding its sessions in Paris. When its labors shall have been accomplished the results will be published in the Era; and with that, the extended series of articles on the War between Spain and the United States will be closed.