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WASHINGTON, January 27, 1898.
DEWEY, Olympia, Yokohama, Japan:
Retain until further orders the crew of the squadron whose terms of enlistment have expired.
CROWNINSHIELD.
WASHINGTON, February 25, 1898.
DEWEY, Hongkong:
Order
the squadron, except the Monocacy, to Hongkong. Keep full
of coal. In the event declaration of war Spain, your duty will
be to see that the Spanish squadron does not leave the Asiatic
coast, and then offensive operations in Philippine Islands. Keep
Olympia until further orders.
ROOSEVELT.
WASHINGTON, February 26,1898.
DEWEY, Hongkong:
Keep
full of coal---the best that can be had.
LONG.
WASHINGTON, March 21, 1898.
DEWEY, Hongkong:
The
Baltimore has been ordered to proceed to Hongkong, upon
the arrival of the Mohican at Honolulu, with ammunition
for the Asiatic Station.
LONG.
WASHINGTON, April 1, 1898.
DEWEY, Hongkong:
Fill up with provisions
purchased on station; then how many days provisions have you on
hand? How much soap and tobacco shall I ship?
LONG.
WASHINGTON, April 4, 1898.
DEWEY, Hongkong:
Can
you purchase immediately supply steamer? What will be the cost
of?
LONG.
HONGKONG, April 4, 1898.
SECRETARY OF THE NAVY, Washington:
I
have chartered the British steamer Nanshan, having over
3,000 tons of coal now on board. Before the outbreak of hostilities
can and would purchase this steamer. I request the earliest information
in order to conclude arrangements. Can not be made after the outbreak
of hostilities.
DEWEY.
WASHINGTON, April 6,1898.
DEWEY, Hongkong:
Purchase
immediately Nanshan and one more vessel for supplies. Charge
special appropriation. Send the receipts to the Department. Enlist
for special service, if possible, one year, unless sooner discharged,
the crew of. Detach and order assume command of each an officer.
Arm if possible. War may be declared. Condition very critical.
LONG.
WASHINGTON, April 6,1898.
DEWEY, Hongkong:
The
receipt of telegram of April 4 is acknowledged. I approve the
action. Expedite delivery. April 6 maybe last opportunity.
LONG.
HONGKONG, April 6,1898.
SECRETARY OF NAVY, Washington, D.C.:
I
have purchased Nanshan and I have engaged her crew. Will
detail an officer for command. I have ordered three officers,
50 men from Monocacy to fill vacancies here. I hope to
get another steamer.* * * The receipt of telegram April 6 acknowledged,
to expedite delivery.
DEWEY.
WASHINGTON, April 7,1898.
DEWEY, Hongkong:
Land
all woodwork, stores, etc., it is not considered necessary to
have for operations.
LONG.
HONGKONG, April 9,1898.
SECRETARY OF NAVY, Washington, D.C.
I
have purchased the British steamer Zafiro, for supplies,
for £18,000 sterling. I will arm, equip, and man vessel
immediately.
DEWEY.
WASHINGTON, April 21,1898.
DEWEY, Hongkong:
The
naval force on the North Atlantic Station are blockading Cuba.
War has not yet been declared. War may be declared at any moment.
I will inform you. Await orders.
LONG.
WASHINGTON, April 24,1898.
DEWEY, Hongkong:
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.
HONGKONG, April 25,1898.
SECRETARY OF NAVY, Washington:
The
squadron will leave for Manila, Philippine Islands, immediately
upon the arrival of the United States consul from Manila.
DEWEY.
HONGKONG, April 25,1898.
SECRETARY OF NAVY, Washington:
In
accordance with the request of the governor of Hongkong, the squadron
leaves to-day for Mirs Bay, China, to await telegraphic instructions.
Address, Hongkong. I will communicate by tug.
DEWEY.
WASHINGTON, April 26,1898.
DEWEY, Hongkong:
Following
proclamation of the President of the United States is forwarded
for your information:
Whereas, by an act of Congress approved April 26, 1898, it is declared that war exists and that war has existed since the 21st day of April, A.D. 1898, including said day, between the United States of America and the Kingdom of Spain; and whereas, it being desirable that such 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: Now, therefore, I, William McKinley, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the power vested in me by the Constitution and the laws, do hereby declare and proclaim: One, the neutral flag covers the enemy's goods, with the exception of contraband of war; two, neutral goods, contraband of war, are not liable to confiscation under the enemy>s flag; three, blockades, in order to be binding, must be effective; four; Spanish merchant vessels in any ports or places within the United States shall be allowed till May 31st, 1898, inclusive for loading their cargoes and departing from such ports or places, and such Spanish merchant vessels, if met at sea by any United States ship, shall be permitted to continue their voyage, if, on examination of their papers, it shall appear that their cargoes were taken on board before the expiration of the above term, provided that nothing herein contained shall apply to Spanish vessels having on board any officer in the military or naval service of the enemy, or any coal, except such as may be necessary for their voyage, or any other article prohibited or contraband of war, or any despatch of or to the Spanish Government; five, any Spanish merchant vessel which, prior to April 21, 1898, shall have sailed from any foreign port, or place in the United States, shall be permitted to enter such port or place, and to discharge her cargo, and afterwards, forthwith, to depart without molestation, and any such vessel, if met at sea by any United States ship, shall be permitted to continue her voyage to any port not blockaded; six, the right of search is to be exercised with strict regard for the rights of neutrals, and the voyages of mail steamers are not to be interfered with except on the clearest grounds of suspicion of a violation of law, in respect to contraband or blockade.
In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and caused the seal of the United States to be affixed.
Done at the city of Washington on the 26th day of April, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and ninety-eight, and of the Independence of the United States the one hundred and twenty-second.
WILLIAM McKINLEY.
By the President:
JOHN SHERMAN, Secretary of State.
LONG.
HONGKONG, April 27, 1898.
SECRETARY OF THE NAVY, Washington:
Williams,
the United States consul from Manila, has arrived. The squadron
will sail immediately for the Philippine Islands.
DEWEY.
Continue
to The Battle of Manila Bay: Miscellaneous
DocumentsSource: Appendix to the Report of the Chief of the Bureau of Navigation, Annual Reports of the Navy Department for the Year 1898. Washington: Government Printing Office, 1898.
23 July 1999