ingly lessened the likelihood of war.
International disputes which once would have put the territory of all
Europe ablaze are now settled by the peaceful devices of diplomacy.
But behind the diplomat must be the gun, and it will be a sorry day
for the United States when, if ever, the sense of security bred of an
avowed national policy of non-intervention in foreign affairs shall
lead this people to neglect the naval arm of the republic.

PART V.

THE NAVAL WAR WITH SPAIN.

CHAPTER I.

THE STATE OF CUBA. -- PERTINACITY OF THE REVOLUTIONISTS. --
SPAIN'S SACRIFICES AND FAILURE. -- SPANISH BARBARITIES. -- THE
POLICY OF RECONCENTRATION. -- AMERICAN SYMPATHY AROUSED. -- THE
STRUGGLE IN CONGRESS. -- THE ASSASSINATION OF THE "MAINE." --
REPORT OF THE COMMISSION. -- THE ONWARD MARCH TO BATTLE.

A short time after the inauguration of William McKinley as President
of the United States in March, 1897, it became apparent that the
disordered condition of Cuba under Spanish rule was destined
inevitably to become an issue which the United States must help to
settle. For two years a great part of the island had been in open and
determined revolt against Spanish rule. Though the forces of the King
had been able to hold the seaports, thus cutting off the insurgents
from regular communication with the outer world and making impotent
their efforts to secure recognition from foreign powers, the patriots
under Maceo and Gomez held control of the interior, established a
government of their own, enforced order, and levied taxes. Enormous
sacrifices were made by the Spanish people to re-establish sovereignty
in the island. More than 300,000 troops were sent thither to be
cruelly cut down by plague and pestilence. A nation, long on the verge
of bankruptcy, incurred uncomplainingly prodigious additional
indebtedness to save for its boy king--Alphonso XIII. was at this time
but twelve years old--its most precious possession in the west, the
Pearl of the Antilles. Queen Isabella of Spain pawned her jewels that
Columbus might have the means to press his voyage of discovery into
unknown seas, but in the closing years of this century the people of
Spain pawned their national assets, put even themselves and their
posterity in pawn to hold for Spain the last relics of the empire
which Columbus won for her.

Though we were forced to draw the sword upon Spain in the cause of
humanity and human liberty, t