After a few weeks, Congress voted fifty million dollars for military purposes, declared that the Cubans ought to be free, and authorized the President to employ the army and navy, if necessary, to force Spain out of Cuba. Spain promptly gave our minister his passports and Congress declared that war existed (April 25, 1898). 569. Military Preparations; Dewey at Manila. Congress immediately voted to borrow two hundred million dollars and to raise further money by means of a stamp tax. Two hundred and fifty thousand volunteers were called for, but many times that number offered their UNITED STATES PORTO RICO AND CUBA Showing the importance of Porto Rico as a stopping point on the way to the Panama canal services. The forts along the Atlantic were strengthened and protected by mines. One portion of the navy protected the seacoast cities, while another blockaded Cuba. But before a decisive event occurred here, the most far-reaching event of the war took place in the Philippine Islands. Commodore George Dewey, commanding an American fleet in Chinese waters, was ordered to attack the Spanish fleet in the Philippines. Before daylight, May I, 1898, Dewey sailed into Manila Bay, the chief harbor of the islands. In four hours he had completely destroyed the enemy's fleet of eleven vessels, silenced the shore batteries of Cavite, and had killed and wounded hundreds of the Spaniards without the loss of a single American. Dewey GEORGE DEWEY was soon after created ad- From a photograph taken in 1900 by miral. Frances B. Johnston, Washington, D.C. Dewey blockaded the city of Manila and awaited the arrival of land troops before taking possession. This victory produced enthusiasm in America and excitement in Europe. It was America's first step into new relations with the whole world. 570. Santiago Captured and Another Spanish Fleet Destroyed. In the meantime a Spanish fleet in the West Indies, under Admiral Cervera, had escaped the American ships under Rear Admiral Sampson and Commodore Schley, and was not discovered until safely hidden in the Cuban harbor of Santiago. Although our ships kept watch day and night, it was feared that, by some means, Cervera's fleet might escape. To prevent this, six men were selected from many volunteers, to aid Ensign Hobson in his plan of sinking the coaling vessel "Merrimac" at the harbor's entrance. This daring deed was accomplished in spite of a terrific fire from the Spanish batteries. Hobson and his men were captured, but were kindly treated by the enemy in appreciation of their bravery. An army under General Shafter was hurrying to the capture of Santiago. This force was composed chiefly of regular soldiers, but included some volunteers, notably "Roosevelt's Rough Riders." The tropical climate, the heavy rains, and the dense forests caused our troops great suffering, but they pushed on, and, after severe fighting, stormed the Spanish entrenchments at El Caney and San Juan. Santiago was now doomed. To avoid capture, Cervera's ships, one after another, under a full head of steam, dashed out of the harbor and tried to escape (July 3, 1898). Every American ship in sight gave chase. Every engine on every vessel was working its best to drive From the painting by Vereshchagin the vessel for CHARGE OF THE ROUGH RIDERS AT SAN JUAN ward; dense clouds of black smoke poured from each smokestack; the great guns shook the vessels and filled the air with a deafening roar. A Spanish vessel, torn by shot and |