"Lest we forget!" God and country . which had deliberately steamed through scores ofenemy mines. The Spanish squadron, under AdmiralMontojo, consisted of twelve warships. Thoughsome of the American ships were larger than theSpanish, the latter were supported by powerful landbatteries and had the very strong advantage. After three hours of fighting, the entire Spanishsquadron was totally destroyed,—either sunk orburned,—the white flag of surrender was raised abovethe land batteries, and the Americans did not losea ship or a man! Living up to its finest traditions, the American Navyastounded the
"Lest we forget!" God and country . which had deliberately steamed through scores ofenemy mines. The Spanish squadron, under AdmiralMontojo, consisted of twelve warships. Thoughsome of the American ships were larger than theSpanish, the latter were supported by powerful landbatteries and had the very strong advantage. After three hours of fighting, the entire Spanishsquadron was totally destroyed,—either sunk orburned,—the white flag of surrender was raised abovethe land batteries, and the Americans did not losea ship or a man! Living up to its finest traditions, the American Navyastounded the world by this overwhelming victory,which was duplicated two months later at Santiagowhen Admiral Cerveras fleet was annihilated withthe loss of just one American sailor. May I, 1898, saw the end of autocracy on theWestern Hemisphere, for after that victory the wholev/orld knew that the Spanish-American war couldhave but one end—victory for the Americans. Long live the United States of America! PIRACY BOWS TO THEAMERICAN FLAG. JUNE 20^^1815 i^Millionsfor defense butnot one cent for tribute ON June 20, 1815, an American squadronunder Commodore Stephen Decatursmashed the Barbary pirates in a furious battleoff Cartagena, Spain, and instilled an ever-lasting respect for the American flag in theMediterranean. For more than 300 years these pirates, withfortified cities, armies and fleets of war vessels,had preyed upon the commerce of the Christ-ian world. When this great battle occurred,six maratime nations were paying annualtribute to the Dey of Algiers. Spain, France, England and Holland triedfor three centuries to break their power, andfailed, and when the pirates demanded tributefrom the United States of America, PresidentJames Madison, repeating the words madefamous by Charles Cotesworth Pinckneywhen Minister to France, said:— Millions for defense but not one cent for tributeT ^ And Decatur proved it. This infant nationsucceeded where all others failed. Long live the Uni
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