THE SPANISH AMERICAN WAR
The oppressions and misrule which had characterized the administration of affairs by the Spanish Government and its agents for generations, in the Island of Cuba, culminated, in April, 1898 in mutual declarations of war between Spain and the United States.
The causes leading up to this result were the injurious effects upon American commerce and the interests of American citizens owning property in Cuba, as well as the constant expense imposed upon the Government of the United States in the maintenance of a large navy along the South Atlantic coast to suppress filibustering, superadded to the friction and unrest produced among the people of this country by the long continuance of disorders and abuses so near to our own shores, which aroused the sympathy and indignation of the entire civilized world.
For three years a large proportion of the Cuban population had been in open rebellion against the Spanish Government, and while the latter had imported a large army to the island and subjected the insurgents and their families and sympathizers to the grossest cruelties, not even excepting torture and starvation itself, their policy had failed to bring the insurgents into subjection or to restore order.
In this condition of affairs the United States Government had endeavored through negotiation, to secure a mitigation of the evils complained of, by a modification of the Spanish policy of government in the island. All suggestions in this direction had either been resented by Spain as unwarrantable interference in her affairs or promises of reform when made, had been as invariably broken.
In the meantime as increasing sentiment had been growing up in the United States in favor of conceding belligerent rights to the Cuban insurgents, or the recognition of their independence, which found expression in measures proposed in Congress. All offers of friendly intervention by the United States having been rejected by Spain with evidences of indignation. Compelled, at last, to recognize its inability to subdue the insurrection the Spanish Government, in November 1897 mad a pretense of tendering autonomy to the Cuban people, with the privilege of amnesty to the insurgents on laying down their arms.
The long duration of the war and outrages perpetrated upon the helpless "reconcentrados," coupled with the increased confidence of the insurgents in the final triumph of their cause rendered this movement. Even if intended to be carried out to the letter of no avail. The proffer came to late and was promptly rejected.
In this condition of affairs and with a view to greater security for American interests, the American battleship Maine was ordered to Havana, on Jan 24 1898. It arrived in Havana Harbor the following day and was anchored at a point designated by the Spanish commander. On the night of February 15, following, it was blown up and destroyed by some force, as shown by after investigation, applied from without.
Of a crew of 354 men belonging to the vessel at the time 266 were either killed outright by the explosion or died from their wounds. Not only the American people, but the entire civilized world, was shocked by the catastrophe. An act of horrible treachery had been perpetrated against an American vessel and its crew on a peaceful mission in the harbor of a professedly friendly nation.
The successive steps leading to actual hostilities were rapid and eventful. One of the earliest and most significant of these was the passage, by a unanimous vote of both houses of Congress, on March 9, of an appropriation placing $50,000,000 in the hands of the President as an emergency fund for purposes of national defense. This was followed, two days later, by an order for the mobilization of the Army.
The more important events following this step were: An order, under date of April 5 withdrawing American consuls from Spanish stations, the departure on April 9 of Consul-General Fitzhugh Lee from Havana. April 19 the adoption by Congress of concurrent resolutions declaring Cuba independent and directing the President to use the land and naval forces of the United States to put an end to Spanish authority in the island. April 20 the sending to the Spanish Government, by the President, of an ultimatum in accordance with this act. April 21, the delivery to Minister Woodford, at Madrid, of his passports without waiting for the presentation of the ultimatum, with the departure of the Spanish Minister from Washington. April 23 the issue of a call by the President for 125,000 volunteers. April 24 the final declaration of war by Spain. April 25 the adoption by Congress of a resolution declaring that war had existed from April 21. On the same date an order to Admiral Dewey in command of the Asiatic Squadron at Hong Kong, to sail for Manila with a view to investing that city and blockading Philippine ports.
The chief events subsequent to the declaration of war embraced the following. May 1, the destruction by Admiral Dewey's squadron of the Spanish fleet in the harbor of Manila. May 19, the arrival of the Spanish Admiral Cervera's fleet at Santiago de Cuba. May 25 a second call by the President for 75,000 volunteers. July 3, the attempt of Cervera's fleet to escape, and its destruction off Santiago. July 17, the surrender of Santiago to the forces under General Shafter. July 30, the statement by the President, through the French Ambassador at Washington, of the terms on which the United States would consent to make peace. August 9, acceptance of the peace terms by Spain, following three days later, by the signing of the peace protocol. September 9, the appointment by the President of Peace Commissioners on the part of the United States. Sept. 18, the announcement of the Peace Commissioners selected by Spain. October 1, the beginning of the Peace Conference by the representatives of the two powers at Paris and the formal signing, on December 10, of the peace treaty, including the recognition by Spain of the freedom of Cuba, with the transfer to the United States of Porto Rico and her other West India Islands, together with the surrender of the Philippines for a consideration of $20,000,000.
Seldom, if ever, in the history of nations have such vast and far-reaching results been accomplished within so short a period. The war, which practically began with the destruction of the Spanish fleet n Manila Harbor, and event which aroused the enthusiasm of the whole American people, and won the respect and admiration of other nations was practically ended by the surrender of Santiago and the declaration by the President of the conditions of peace just three months later.
Succeeding events, up to the formal signing of the peace treaty, were merely the recognition of results previously determined.