to. I have a notion
that it would fit certain remarks regarding certain language that I
was credited with having used in reference to an attack on Havana;
language, by the way, which I never used. As I said before, the battle
before Santiago was the prettiest imaginable kind of effect. Why,
two torpedo boat destroyers came out, and inside of ten minutes we
had them sounding. One sounded in 200 fathoms of water and sunk to
rest there. The other preferred a berth with her nose on the beach.

"The Maria Teresa and Admiral Oquendo were on fire inside of five
minutes after the fight had started. They made beautiful sweeps toward
the shore, and were regular Fourth of July processions as they swept
in on the beach. We helped them along a bit by landing a few shells
in the stern. It was a pretty fight, but it should never be forgotten
that the Spaniards fought their ships as hard and with as much valor
as any men in any ships ever fought."

After the first cabinet meeting succeeding the peace jubilee, the
President issued his annual Thanksgiving proclamation:

"_By the President of the United States_.

_A Proclamation_.

"The approaching November brings to mind the custom of our ancestors,
hallowed by time and rooted in our most sacred traditions, of giving
thanks to Almighty God for all the blessings he has vouchsafed to us
during the past year.

"Few years in our history have afforded such cause for thanksgiving as
this. We have been blessed by abundant harvests, our trade and commerce
have been wonderfully increased, our public credit has been improved
and strengthened, all sections of our common country have been brought
together and knitted into closer bonds of national purpose and unity.

"The skies have been for a time darkened by the cloud of war; but as
we were compelled to take up the sword in the cause of humanity, we
are permitted to rejoice that the conflict has been of brief duration
and the losses we have had to mourn, though grievous and important,
have been so few, considering the great results accomplished, as to
inspire us with gratitude and praise to the Lord of Hosts. We may laud
and magnify His holy name that the cessation of hostilities came so
soon as to spare both sides the countless sorrows and disasters that
attend protracted war.

"I do, therefore, invite all my fellow citizens, as well those at
home as those who may be at sea or sojourning in foreign lands, to
set apart and observe Thurs