the same day the Act approved the 25th April, 1898, declaring the existence of such war from and including the 21st day of April, and re-enacted the provision of the Resolution of the 20th April, directing the President to use all the armed forces of the nation to carry that Act into effect. Due notification of the existence of war as aforesaid was given on the 25th April by telegraph to all the Governments with which the United States maintain relations, in order that their neutrality might be assured during the war. The various Governments responded with Proclamations of Neutrality, each after its own methods. It is not among the least gratifying incidents of the struggle that the obligations of neutrality were impartially discharged by all, often under delicate and difficult circumstances.

In further fulfilment of international duty I issued (26th April, 1898) a Proclamation announcing the treatment proposed to be accorded to vessels and their cargoes as to blockade, contraband, the exercise of the right of search, and the immunity of neutral flags and neutral goods under enemy's flag. A similar Proclamation was made by the Spanish Government. In the conduct of hostilities the rules of the Declaration of Paris, including abstention from resort to privateering, have accordingly been observed by both belligerents, although neither was a party to that Declaration.

Our country thus, after an interval of half a century of peace with all nations, found itself engaged in deadly conflict with a foreign enemy. Every nerve was strained to meet the emergency. The response to the initial call for 125,000 volunteers was instant and complete, as was also the result of the second call of the 25th May for 75,000 additional volunteers. The ranks of the regular army were increased to the limits provided by the Act of the 26th April, 1898.

The enlisted force of the navy on the 15th day of August, when it reached its maximum, numbered 24,123 men and apprentices; 103 vessels were added to the navy by purchase, 1 was presented to the Government, 1 leased, and the 4 vessels of the International Navigation Company, the St. Paul, St. Louis, New York, and Paris, were chartered. In addition to these, the revenue cutters and lighthouse tenders were turned over to the Navy Department, and became temporarily a part of the auxiliary navy.

The maximum effective fighting force of the navy during the war. separated into classes, was as follows:

:

Four battle-ships of the first class, 1 battle-ship ~~

class, 2 armoured cruisers, 6 coast defence m

ram, 12 protected cruisers, 3 unprotected

1 dynamite cruiser, 11 torpedo boa+

including monitors, 14. Auxilio

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UNITED STATES.

121 28 converted yachts, 27 converted tugs, 19 converted colliers, 15 revenue cutters, 4 lighthouse tenders, and 19 miscellaneous ⚫ vessels.

Much alarm was felt along our entire Atlantic sea-board lest some attack might be made by the enemy. Every precaution was taken to prevent possible injury to our great cities lying along the coast. Temporary garrisons were provided, drawn from the State militia; infantry and light batteries were drawn from the volunteer force. About 12,000 troops were thus employed. The coast signal service was established for observing the approach of an enemy's ships to the coast of the United States, and the life-saving and lighthouse services co-operated, which enabled the Navy Department to have all portions of the Atlantic coast, from Maine to Texas, under observation.

The auxiliary navy was created under the authority of Congress and was officered and manned by the naval militia of the several States. This organization patrolled the coast and performed the duty of a second line of defence.

Under the direction of the Chief of Engineers, submarine mines were placed at the most exposed points. Before the outbreak of the war, permanent mining casemates and cable galleries had been constructed at nearly all important harbours. Most of the torpedo material was not to be found in the market, and had to be specially manufactured. Under date of the 19th April district officers were directed to take all preliminary measures, short of the actual attaching of the loaded mines to the cables, and on the 22nd April telegraphic orders were issued to place the loaded mines in position.

The aggregate number of mines placed was 1,535, at the principal harbours from Maine to California. Preparations were also made for the planting of mines at certain other harbours, but, owing to the early destruction of the Spanish fleet, these mines were not placed.

The Signal Corps was promptly organized, and performed service of the most difficult and important character. Its operations during the war covered the electrical connection of all coast fortifications, the establishment of telephonic and telegraphic facilities for the camps at Manila, Santiago.

in Porto Rico. There were con

great camps, thus facilitating pin in a manner heretofore telegraph lines were 's fire at Manila, and ed.

were opened over -quarters of the C

a

the same day the Act approved the 25th April, 1898, declaring the existence of such war from and including the 21st day of April, and re-enacted the provision of the Resolution of the 20th April, directing the President to use all the armed forces of the nation to carry that Act into effect. Due notification of the existence of war as aforesaid was given on the 25th April by telegraph to all the Governments with which the United States maintain relations, in order that their neutrality might be assured during the war. The various Governments responded with Proclamations of Neutrality, each after its own methods. It is not among the least gratifying incidents of the struggle that the obligations of neutrality were impartially discharged by all, often under delicate and difficult

circumstances.

In further fulfilment of international duty I issued (26th April, 1898) a Proclamation announcing the treatment proposed to be accorded to vessels and their cargoes as to blockade, contraband, the exercise of the right of search, and the immunity of neutral flags and neutral goods under enemy's flag. A similar Proclamation was made by the Spanish Government. In the conduct of hostilities the rules of the Declaration of Paris, including abstention from resort to privateering, have accordingly been observed by both belligerents, although neither was a party to that Declaration.

Our country thus, after an interval of half a century of peace with all nations, found itself engaged in deadly conflict with a foreign enemy. Every nerve was strained to meet the emergency. The response to the initial call for 125,000 volunteers was instant and complete, as was also the result of the second call of the 25th May for 75,000 additional volunteers. The ranks of the regular army were increased to the limits provided by the Act of the 26th April, 1898.

The enlisted force of the navy on the 15th day of August, when it reached its maximum, numbered 24,123 men and apprentices; 103 vessels were added to the navy by purchase, 1 was presented to the Government, 1 leased, and the 4 vessels of the International Navigation Company, the St. Paul, St. Louis, New York, and Paris, were chartered. In addition to these, the revenue cutters and lighthouse tenders were turned over to the Navy Department, and became temporarily a part of the auxiliary navy.

The maximum effective fighting force of the navy during the war, separated into classes, was as follows:

Four battle-ships of the first class, 1 battle-ship of the second class, 2 armoured cruisers, 6 coast defence monitors, 1 armoured ram, 12 protected cruisers, 3 unprotected cruisers, 18 gun-boats, 1 dynamite cruiser, 11 torpedo boats, vessels of the old navy, including monitors, 14. Auxiliary navy: 11 auxiliary cruisers,

28 converted yachts, 27 converted rugs, 19 converted micbers, 15 revenue cutters, 4 lighthouse tenders, and 19 misceliueous vessels.

Much alarm was felt along our entire Atlantic sea-boarć jest some attack might be made by the enemy. Every precaution was taken to prevent possible injury to our great cities lying wong the coast. Temporary garrisons were provided, drawn from the State militia; infantry and light batteries were drawn from the volunteer force. About 12,000 troops were thus employed. The cost sig service was established for observing the approach of an ensury's ships to the coast of the United States, and the Hessing and lighthouse services co-operated, which enabled the Navy Department to have all portions of the Atlantic coast, from Maine to Texas, under observation.

The auxiliary navy was created under the authority of Congress and was officered and manned by the naval militia of the severa States. This organization patrolled the coast and performed the duty of a second line of defence.

Under the direction of the Chief of Engineers, submarine mines were placed at the most exposed points. Before the outbreak of the war, permanent mining casemates and cable galeries had been constructed at nearly all important harbours. Most of the torpedo material was not to be found in the market, and had to be spenly manufactured. Under date of the 19th April district officers were directed to take all preliminary measures, short of the actua attaching of the loaded mines to the cables, and on the 22nd April telegraphic orders were issued to place the loaded mines in position.

The aggregate number of mines placed was 1,535, at the principali harbours from Maine to California. Preparations were also made for the planting of mines at certain other harbours, but, owing to the early destruction of the Spanish fleet, these mines were not placed.

The Signal Corps was promptly organized, and performed service of the most difficult and important character. Its operations during the war covered the electrical connection of all coast fortiscations, the establishment of telephonic and telegraphic facilities for the camps at Manila, Santiago, and in Porto Rico. There were constructed 300 miles of line at ten great camps, thus facilitating military movements from those points in a manner beretofore unknown in military administration. Field telegraph lines were established and maintained under the enemy's fire at Manila, and later the Manila-Hong Kong cable was reopened.

In Porto Rico cable communications were opened over a discontinued route, and on land the bead-quarters of the Con

manding Officer was kept in telegraphic or telephonic communication with the Division Commanders on four different lines of operations.

There was placed in Cuban waters a completely outfitted cable ship, with war cables and cable gear, suitable both for the destruction of communications belonging to the enemy and the establishment of our own. Two ocean cables were destroyed under the enemy's batteries at Santiago. The day previous to the landing of General Shafter's corps at Caimanera, within 20 miles of the landing-place, cable communications were established and a cable station opened giving direct communication with the Government at Washington. This service was invaluable to the Executive in directing the operations of the army and navy. With a total force of over 1,300, the loss was, by disease in camp and field, officers and men included, only five.

The National Defence Fund of 50,000,000 dollars was expended in large part by the army and navy, and the objects for which it was used are fully shown in the reports of the several Secretaries. It was a most timely appropriation, enabling the Government to strengthen its defences, and make preparations greatly needed in case of war.

This fund being inadequate to the requirements of equipment, and for the conduct of the war, the patriotism of the Congress provided the means in the War Revenue Act of the 13th June, by authorizing a 3 per cent. popular loan, not to exceed 400,000,000 dollars, and by levying additional imposts and taxes. Of the authorized loan, 200,000,000 dollars were offered and promptly taken, the subscriptions so far exceeding the call as to cover it many times over, while, preference being given to the smaller bids, no single allotment exceeded 5,000 dollars. This was a most encouraging and significant result, showing the vast resources of the nation, and the determination of the people to uphold their country's honour.

It is not within the province of this Message to narrate the history of the extraordinary war that followed the Spanish declaration of the 21st April, but a brief recital of its more salient feature is appropriate.

The first encounter of the war, in point of date, took place on the 27th April, when a detachment of the blockading squadron made a reconnaissance in force at Matanzas, shelled the harbour forts, and demolished several new works in construction.

The next engagement was destined to mark a memorable epoch in maritime warfare. The Pacific fleet, under Commodore George Dewey, had lain for some weeks at Hong Kong. Upon the colonial Proclamation of Neutrality being issued, and the customary twenty