conditions apparently beyond control, the nation found itself swept onto the stage of international affairs, and forced to play a new and untried part - that of aiding an oppressed and rebellious colony in gaining its independence from the mother country. What had happened at the end of the

Eighteenth century thus found its reproduction in the Nineteenth, with this notable difference, however, that the aid rendered to the Colonies was for France the beginning of democracy; the aid rendered to Cuba by the United States was the beginning of empire.

During the first few days after the establishment of belligerent relations between Spain and the United States, President McKinley issued three proclamations under his name. The first, dated April 22, proclaimed a blockade of the northern and southern coasts of Cuba; the second, dated April 23, is sued a call for 125,000 two year volunteers; the third, outlined the policy to be followed by the United States in the matter of the international law of war. Just what this policy would be was a thing of no little concern to the other nations, as the United States had refused to sign the international compact known as the Declaration of Paris, which had defined and enlarged the rights of neutral nations, especially with regard to maritime commerce. This agreement had definitely

abrogated the right of belligerent powers to issue letters of marque or permit privateering, and as the United States was not a signatory power, it was feared that the administration would resort to a method of warfare that would menace the maritime trade of the world. Nevertheless, since its promulgation in 1856, the United States had considered itself morally bound by the Declaration, and, in fact, had adhered closely to its provisions during the Civil War. If there was any doubt with regard to the matter it was dispelled by the third proclamation which was issued on April 26. In it the President stated specifically that the "war should be conducted upon principles in harmony with the present views of nations and sanctioned by their recent practice, it

has already been announced that the policy of this government will be not to resort to privateering, but to adhere to the rules of the Declaration of Paris."

The two proclamations addressed to neutral nations had the effect of closing all foreign ports, save under exceptional conditions, and for very short periods of time to the war vessels of the belligerent powers. At the outbreak of the war, the American fleet was divided into three squadrons: two on the Atlantic coast under Acting Rear Admiral W. T. Sampson and Commodore W. S. Schley respectively, the third station at the port of Hong Kong, on the far-away coast of China, under command of Commodore George Dewey.

Great Britain declared neutrality April 23, which forced Commodore Dewey to withdraw his fleet from British waters. The latter was accordingly confronted by a problem that had two solutions: to leave Hong Kong and sail for the coast of California, or to seek the Philippines and batter out a berth for his ships in the territory of the enemy. That the former alternative did not occur to him or to the administration at Washington is very evident. In fact, the Pacific fleet had been gathered at Hong Kong for a specific purpose, and events were now hastening toward its fulfillment. The closing of the neutral harbor to the American fleet was but the first move in the tremendous game which was to destroy the sea power of Spain in the Pacific, and marked the be

ginning of the end of a once majestic empire.

Early in January, 1898, when the relations between the two nations were evidently becoming more and more strained, it was evident that the slightest mistake on the part of either would result in a rupture. Recognizing this fact, Secretary of the Navy Long* ordered the captains of the various ships to fill the bunkers with the best coal to be obtained, to re-enlist the members of the crews whose terms. had expired, and to keep the ships fit and ready for any contingency that might present itself. No one dreamed, however, in carrying out these commands how soon that rupture was to come, and in what a tragic manner.

On February 25, ten days after the destruction of the Maine, Commodore Dewey received the following message

"The commander in chief of the Asiatic Station and the commander in chief of the North Atlantic station had been engaged in thoroughly preparing the units of their commands for the test of war. The squadrons, ships, officers, and crews were in admirable condition and training, had been for months engaged in tactical maneuvers and gunnery practice, and were strengthened by the addition of the auxiliary vessels as rapidly as converted. The bureaus of the Department had, by wise forethought, prepared them with every facility in the way of men, supplies, ammunition, information, and drills, and as early as April 15, four weeks before Admiral Cervera's fleet reached Cuban waters, the Navy of the United States was ready for the outbreak of hostilities. The North Atlantic fleet at Key West covered Cuba; the Flying Squadron at Hampton Roads stood ready to defend our own coast, or threaten that of Spain, and the Asiatic Squadron at Hong Kong only awaited information of the outbreak of hostilities." Report of Secretary of the Navy John D. Long, November 15, 1898, in Messages and Documents, 18981899.

"Secret and confidential. Order the squadron, except the Monocacy to Hong Kong. Keep full of coal. In the event of declaration of war, Spain, your duty will be to see that the Spanish squadron does not leave the Asiatic coast, and

dore Dewey that the American fleet must withdraw from the harbor before 4 o'clock P. M., April 25. Without waiting for the expiration of the time designated, the fleet anchored the next

Islands. Keep Olympia until further orders."

On April 4 another message came ordering the landing at Hong Kong of "all woodwork, stores, etc., not considered necessary for operations.'

Commodore Dewey had at this time under his command the protected cruisers Olympia, Boston, Raleigh, the gunboats Concord and the Petrel, and an old sidewheel steamer, the Monocacy, which was rejected as inefficient. The powerful dispatch-boat, the McCulloch, joined the fleet on April 18. The fleet, however, was decidedly in need of colliers and storeships, and in obedience to instructions from Washington, Dewey purchased an English collier, the Nanshan, with 3,000 tons of coal aboard, and later, the Zaphiro, with 600 tons. These he manned with the officers and sailors of the deserted Monocacy. On the 22d the Baltimore arrived after a long voyage from Honolulu, bringing with her a welcome supply of ammunition. Immediately upon arrival she was treated to her war coat of slate grey paint, the other ships having been repainted several days previously.

On Saturday, April 23, as the result of President McKinley's proclamation to neutral nations of the existence of a state of war between the United

On the day of his departure from Hong Kong came the following dispatch from Secretary Long:

"War has commenced between the United States and Spain. Proceed at once to Philippine Islands. Commence operations at once, particularly against the Spanish fleet. You must capture vessels or destroy. Use utmost endeavors. Long."

Thus in five terse sentences did the government place its destiny in the eastern seas in the hands of one man. What he should do, and how he should do it were not too clearly defined; haste and thoroughness only were the sole requirements. Dewey, however, did not obey this order to the letter, deeming it wiser to delay his departure until the United States consul, Williams, had arrived from Manila. His delay was wholly justified by events, for the latter was able to supply information of great value. The fleet weighed anchor in Mirs Bay at 2 P. M., April 27, and in less than three days had traversed the 600 mile stretch across the Yellow Sea, arriving off Bolinao Point on the morning of April 30. April 30. Here additional preparations for the forthcoming collision were made; everything that could be the least in the way, or could endanger life by splintering or catching on fire, was thrown without a thought into the

the effect that Admiral Montojo had planned to meet the American squadron in Subig Bay, an extensive harbor some 50 miles from Manila, and it was therefore possible that a few hours would bring the opposing fleets together. The Boston, the Concord, and later the Baltimore, were sent ahead to reconnoiter, but rejoined their comrade vessels with the information that

none of the enemy was to be found in Subig Bay. The dispatches of Admiral Montojo later revealed that he had, indeed, planned to give battle in Subig Bay, but that the defenses of the same were so worthless that he returned with his ships to Manila.*

On the return of the scouting of the scouting cruisers, Commodore Dewey called a conference of the captains, and placed before them his plan for entering Manila harbor at night with screened lights, and giving battle to the Spaniards on the following morning. According the speed of the ships was modified so as to bring the fleet at the entrance of Manila Bay at midnight, and so well was their progress timed that at 11 o'clock the fleet was entering Boca Grande, the southernmost of the three available channels lead

*"The guns which should have been mounted on that island were delayed a month and a half. This surprised me, as the shore batteries that the navy had installed (with very little difficulty) at the entrance of the bay of Manila, under the intelligent direction of colonel of naval artillery, Señor Garces, and Lieutenant Beneavente, were ready to fight twenty-four days after the commencement of the work. I was no less

disgusted that they confided in the few torpedoes which they had found feasible to put there." Report of Admiral Montojo on the battle of Manila.

ing into the bay. In a single line, with the flagship in the lead, each ship guided by a tiny light set in a box at the stern of the preceding vessel, the fleet moved silently past the fortresses and over waters reputed to be protected by mines of tremendous power. Yet in spite of the fact that the arrival of the American fleet in the Philippine waters had been reported to Montojo, apparently no endeavor was made to guard against just such an enterprise as the American fleet was making. Perhaps they had not dreamed that Commodore Dewey would undertake so daring a thing as an attempt to enter Manila harbor at night, but whatever be the explanation

of

Spanish inactivity, the American ships were well into the harbor before an alarm was given. Even then the discovery was due to an accident; incautious stoking of the McCulloch revealing the presence of the fleet. Signal rockets were sent up from the forts, and a few fruitless shots fired from the guns on El fraile, the island nearest to the mainland. The McCulloch, Concord and the Raleigh opened fire in return, but soon desisted at a signal from the flagship.

Manila possesses one of the most magnificent harbors in the world, and is capable of being strongly protected. Its shape, roughly, is that of a flask, the mouth of which, ten miles in width, is guarded by a group of three islands, Corregidor, Caballo and El fraile. Beyond these islands the body of the flask is gained, 21 miles long and 32 miles