sy,
being taken to her harbor berth by the Spanish government pilot. At
9.40 on the evening of February 15th, the harbor air was rent by a
tremendous explosion. Where the Maine had been, only a low shapeless
hump was distinguishable. The splendid vessel, with officers and crew on
board to the number of 355, had sunk, a wreck. Of the 355, 253 never saw
day.

Strong suspicions gained prevalence that this was a deed of Spanish
treachery, or attributable, at the very least, to criminal indifference
on the part of the authorities. Some alleged positive connivance by
Spanish officials. War fever ran high. When, five days later, the
Spanish cruiser Vizcaya visited New York City, it was thought well to
accord her special protection. March, 9th, Congress placed in the
President's hands $50,000,000 to be used for national defence. The 21st,
a naval court of inquiry confirmed the view that the Maine disaster was
due to the explosion of a submarine mine. War fever became a fire.
"Remember the Maine" echoed up and down and across the land, the words
uttered with deep earnestness.

The war spirit welded North and South, permeating the Democracy even
more than the party in power. Democrats would have at once recognized
the Cuban Republic. This was at first the attitude of the Senate, which,
upon deliberation, wisely forbore. It, however, on April 20th, joined
the House in declaring the people of Cuba free and independent, adding
that Spain must forthwith relinquish her authority there. The President
was authorized to use the nation's entire army, navy, and militia to
enforce withdrawal. This was in effect a declaration of war. Minister
Woodford, at Madrid, received his passports; as promptly Bernabe
withdrew to Montreal. April 23d, 125,000 volunteers were called out.
April 26th an increase of the regular army to some 62,000 was
authorized. Soon came a call for 75,000 more volunteers. Responses from
all the States flooded the War Department.

[Illustration]
Bow of the Spanish Cruiser Almirante Oquendo.
From a Photograph by F. C. Hemment.
Copyright, 1898, by W. R. Hearst.

[Illustration: Hundreds of soldiers on transport and dock.]
The Landing at Daiquiri. Transports in the Offing.

[Illustration: Portrait.]
Captain Charles E. Clark.

Spain, ruled by a clique of privileged Catalonians, groaned under all
the oppressiveness of militarism, with none of its power. Plagued by
Carlism and anarchy at home, she was grappling, a