Part 4: Billy on World Events - The Spanish American War
Things are looking very serious over the Spanish and American
quarrel over Cuba. On Wednesday a three day ultimatum was sent by
U.S. to Madrid to the effect that unless they (Spain) withdraw from
Cuba, they would be withdrawn, or rather, the said U.S. meant
having a try at it. Before the message was delivered, Woodford, the
Ambassador of U.S. at Madrid, had been given his passport. Spanish
representative has also left Washington. So although war is not
actually declared, I’m afraid it means the same thing. In fact,
three “acts of war” have already been committed. I’m very much
surprised things have come to such a crisis. Quite thought in spite
of all the “War Talk” that things would have been settled in a more
sensible way. Today all kinds of rumours are flying about and news
is very anxiously awaited. May all blow over yet. Hope so anyway.
Cannot say I’ve any sympathy with either party. Spain has
undoubtedly grossly misgoverned Cuba, but America, like ourselves,
is hardly in a position to cast the first stone.
27th April 1898
War news today is that the US Congress overruled the wider counsel
of McKinley and passed a resolution formally declaring war had
existed from Thursday 27th.
Sunday 1st May 1898
Newsboys had a rare mouthful this evening – “Great Battle, 2,500
Killed etc. etc.”
Sunday 8th May 1898
News to hand at last of last Sunday’s battle at Manila [Bay].
According to Commodore Dewey’s despatch received at Washington
yesterday, the US fleet under him met and completely defeated the
Spanish fleet after five hours fierce fighting. Ten Spanish ships
burnt and sunk and at least 1,000 killed, while the US admiral, as
he now ranks, didn’t lose a single man. Admiral Montojo the Spanish
Commander was among the slain. (Later insertion: an error, Admiral
M was not killed).
Battle of Manila Bay, 1st May 1898,
reproduced courtesy of Naval History and Heritage Command,
Washington, USA, Photo
credit.
Wednesday 11th May 1898
One consequence of the “great and glorious” war is that bread is
rising in price at an alarming rate. At present it is ¼ per gallon
and likely to be more.
Monday 16th May 1898
No further war news of any importance. According to the newspapers,
they are waiting for a “Big Battle” certainly a very candid
admission. Just now the most talked of item is a speech by
Chamberlain at Birmingham in which an Anglo-American Alliance was
favourably spoken of. The idea evidently meets with fairly general
support here and in the U.S.A. but many Continental journalists
attack it bitterly on what it may possibly mean.
Just now one of England’s greatest men, after a life spent as well
as is possible to imagine, is slowly and painfully “crossing the
bar”. William Ewart Gladstone, according to latest reports, cannot
be expected to live but a little while longer, probably a fortnight
or less. He is suffering from a “cancerous formation” near the nose
which is ending his days in agony. To think the grand old Man
should have such a terrible end.
Friday 20th May 1898
William Ewart Gladstone,
1809-1898
Mr Gladstone passed peacefully away about 5 o’clock yesterday
morning at Howarden. All papers and parties now unanimous as his
character as a man if not as a politician. Parliament formally
adjourned yesterday and today in both houses brilliant eulogies
were delivered by leading members of both parties.
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