SPANIELS

See Doc Famity. period of peace, again revolted. American interests and “ commerce in the island were in danger of absolute destruction, and as the United States also viewed the plight of the Cubans with sympathy, the United States Government urged Spain to terminate the war and establish civil government in Cuba. However, before any action had been taken by Spain, on Feb. 15, 1898, the U. 8. battleship Maine was destroyed by an explosion in Havana Harbor with a lo of 266 lives. Public opinion at once accused the Spanish officials, and a resolution was pa ed by Congre declaring Cuba independent and empowering the President to make Spain relinquish her claims over the island. An ultimatum to this effect was sent to Spain, fixing April 23 as the last date for submi ion, Spain declared war formally on April 24, On April 22, Rear-Admiral Sampson began the blockade of Havana and the N. coast of Cuba with his N. Atlantic squadron. Meanwhile Admiral Dewey, who had been stationed at Hong-Kong with the American squadron, was ordered to begin operations, and sailed to Manila Bay in the Philippines. He gained a complete victory, took po e ion of Cavité, and awaited the arrival of a land force to capture Manila. The town, however, did not surrender until Aug. 13. About the same time the Spanish admiral, Cervera, had left the Cape Verde Is. en route for Santiago, where he arrived on May 19. Strict _ watch was kept by Sampson to prevent the escape of the Spanish fleets. A cutter, the Merrimac, under the command of Richmond P. Hobson, was sunk in the channel but it drifted too far to prevent Cervera’s exit. On June 21, Major-General Shafter arrived off Santiago and succe fully landed his troops at Daiquiri, and three days later the Spaniards were driven back from Sevilla. General Shafter then began his attack on Santiago, whither the Spaniards had retreated, San Juan being captured by the Americans. operations began on July i, and on July 4 the city was summoned to surrender, but without succe . In the meanwhile Admiral Cervera’s squadron had been ordered to sea by the Madrid government. He accordingly left Santiago harbor, and suffered defeat at the hands of Sampson. His squadron was destroyed and he himself wounded. After this Santiago surrendered, July 17, and Spain sued for peace. It was arranged that Spain should evacuate Cuba, should cede Porto Rico to the United States, as well as her islands in the Antilles, and one of the Ladrones, and should leave the United States in the po e ion of Manila. In 1899 a treaty was signed, and Spain evacuated Cuba, the PhilipPines, and other islands for an indemnity of $20,000,000.