After the loss of Admiral Cervera's fleet, every one knew that it would
be only a question of time until the city of Santiago must surrender.
The American army under General Miles and General Shafter surrounded the
city on the land, while the navy guarded the harbor. The Spaniards could
not escape, nor could any help reach them.
The next two weeks were spent in trying to fix upon terms of surrender
that would be acceptable to both sides. The only fighting was a short
bombardment of the city by the warships on the 10th of July.
At last on July 17th the city surrendered. The Spaniards agreed to give
up not only Santiago but also all the cities and forts east of that
place, with all the soldiers and military supplies. The Americans agreed
to send all these soldiers, numbering about 22,000 men, back to Spain,
and pay for their transportation.
After this surrender, General Miles with an army on transport ships
sailed for the island of Porto Rico, which is about four hundred miles
from Cuba. As usual, the navy went along to protect the unarmed vessels
and to help the army make a landing.
The first fighting was on the southern coast, near the city of Ponce, in
the harbor of Guanica. Lieutenant Wainwright, with his little ship the
_Gloucester_, sailed boldly into the harbor and drove the Spaniards from
the shore. The Americans were then landed without the loss of a single
man.
The army was divided into three divisions, and all set out for the city
of San Juan upon the northern coast. They drove the Spaniards before
them, taking possession of the towns and cities as they advanced.
General Miles and his soldiers were everywhere welcomed gladly, for the
people of this island did not like the Spanish soldiers any better than
did the Cubans.
By the 26th of July, the people of Spain had begun to realize that it
was useless to carry on the war any longer. Accordingly, word was sent
to President McKinley, by the French ambassador at Washington, M. Jules
Cambon, that the Spanish government was ready to consider terms of
peace.
President McKinley and his cabinet at once drew up a paper called a
protocol, which stated what the Spanish must do before the war could be
ended.
Spain was to give up all claim to Cuba, recall her officials and
soldiers, and permit the people of the island to choose their own
government. Porto Rico and all the Spanish islands in the West Indies
were to be given to the United States. Spain was also to allow the
Americans to hold the city of Manila until it should be decided, by a
regular treaty, what should be done with the Philippine Islands. Five
men from each country should be appointed to draw up the treaty, and in
the meantime, as soon as Spain and the United States should sign the
protocol, all fighting should cease.
Spain was glad to get peace, even on these terms, and the protocol was
duly signed by both governments on the 12th of August. Word was at once
sent to the armies and navies to cease fighting.
It was very easy to reach the American forces in Cuba and Porto Rico,
but before the message could reach Admiral Dewey at Manila, it must be
telegraphed to Hong Kong, China, and then sent by a dispatch boat to
Manila. During the summer vessel after vessel had sailed from San
Francisco, carrying the army of General Merritt to assist Admiral Dewey.
War vessels and ammunition had also been sent.
On the 13th of August, not having heard that peace had been declared,
General Merritt ordered a combined attack of the army and navy to be
made upon Manila. The vessels opened fire upon the Spanish
fortifications which protected the town, while the troops of General
Merritt drove the Spaniards back into the city. After two hours of sharp
fighting the city surrendered.
The Americans did not lose a single sailor, and only twelve soldiers
were killed and forty wounded. The Spanish loss was much greater. In the
afternoon the stars and stripes were hoisted over the government
building and the Spanish soldiers marched out of the city and laid down
their arms.
Thus with a brilliant victory, Admiral Dewey closed the war as he had
opened it.
After the signing of the protocol Admiral Sampson and Commodore Schley
sailed to New York with most of their squadrons to repair what little
damage had been done. When they arrived on the 20th of August the city
gave them a royal welcome. It was arranged that the warships should
steam through the harbor and up the Hudson River as far as General
Grant's tomb. Thus every one could see and greet the naval heroes. The
people turned out by the tens of thousands and lined the shores cheering
and waving flags. The harbor and river were filled with pleasure boats
adorned with flags and streamers, while cannon on the shore thundered
salutes.
In all history there is not an instance of such great victories with so
small a loss of men and ships as in this war with Spain. In less than
three months the United States had driven the Spanish power from the
western hemisphere. It had added new possessions in both hemispheres and
had shown that it was entitled to rank with the most powerful nations of
the earth.
As soon as the people of the United States felt that peace was assured
they held great jubilees in Chicago and Philadelphia. Triumphal arches
were erected under which marched the heroes of the war, cheered to the
echo by their fellow citizens.
Several new battleships more powerful than any that had taken part in
the recent splendid victories were launched, with imposing ceremonies,
at Newport News, Virginia.
From all this it would seem that the people of the United States at last
realized that at all times, whether in peace or war, the country should
have a powerful navy. This navy should be in keeping with the position
that the United States has won among the nations of the world, and
worthy of the brave officers and sailors who spend their lives in its
service.