Mr. Hepburn was recognized to conclude in support of the resolutions.  He believed the people of the country were familiar with the issue involved, and the time was opportune for a vote and final action.  Answering the claim that annexation would mean launching upon colonization, he disavowed any such understanding.  He said he hoped to see every Spanish possession fall into the possession of this country in order to contribute to the enemy’s injury, and that being accomplished the question of their disposition would arise and be met when the war should end.

The House resolution extending the sovereignty of the United States over Hawaii was adopted in the Senate by a vote of forty-two to twenty-one, and President McKinley’s signature added that country to our possessions.  The President appointed as commissioners to visit the islands and draw up for the guidance of Congress a system of laws for their government, the following gentlemen:  Senator Shelby M. Cullom, of Illinois; Senator John T. Morgan, of Alabama; Representative Robert R. Hitt, of Illinois; President Sanford B. Dole, of Hawaii; Justice W. F. Frear, of Hawaii.

CHAPTER L.

Continued success for American soldiers and sailors.

The Bombardment of San Juan—­The Engagement at Cardenas—­The Voyage of the Oregon—­The Battle at Guantanamo—­Santiago Under Fire—­Landing the Troops in Cuba—­The Charge of the Rough Riders —­The Sinking of the Merrimac—­The Destruction of Cervera’s Fleet—­ The Fall of Santiago.

On the morning of May 12, a portion of the fleet, commanded by Admiral Sampson, made an attack on the forts of San Juan de Puerto Rico.  The engagement began at 5:15 a. m. and ended at 8:15 a. m.  The enemy’s batteries were not silenced, but great damage was done to them, and the town in the rear of the fortifications suffered great losses.  The ships taking part in the action were the Iowa, Indiana, New York, Terror, Amphitrite, Detroit, Montgomery, Wampatuck, and Porter.

At 3 o’clock in the morning all hands were called on the Iowa, a few final touches in clearing ship were made, and at 5 “general quarters” sounded.  The men were eager for the fight.

The tug Wampatuck went ahead and anchored its small boat to the westward, showing ten fathoms, but there was not a sign of life from the fort, which stood boldly against the sky on the eastern hills hiding the town.

The Detroit steamed far to the eastward, opposite Valtern.  The Iowa headed straight for the shore.  Suddenly its helm flew over, bringing the starboard battery to bear on the fortifications.

At 5:16 a.m. the Iowa’s forward twelve-inch guns thundered out at the sleeping hills, and for fourteen minutes they poured starboard broadsides on the coast.  Meanwhile the Indiana, the New York, and other ships repeated the dose from the rear.  The Iowa turned and came back to the Wampatuck’s boat and again led the column, the forts replying fiercely, concentrating on the Detroit, which was about 700 yards away, all the batteries on the eastward arm of the harbor.  Thrice the column passed from the entrance of the harbor to the extreme eastward battery.