* * * * *

In our last number we give a review of the first month of the war. In
glancing over the news, it is extremely interesting to contrast the
losses of Spain with those of the United States. In the campaign off
Cuba, we have had less than thirty men killed and wounded, whereas the
Spaniards have lost several hundreds; they have had many of their
fortifications destroyed, and have suffered great damage in other
ways--by the capture of vessels, etc. In the far East, Spain's fleet was
destroyed, and many men killed and wounded; against this was a loss on
our part of one man killed and six wounded, and approximately no damage
to our vessels.

The escape of the _Oregon_ is considered another victory for us, as
during that trip of about fifteen thousand miles she might easily have
been intercepted and destroyed had she not been splendidly handled. Her
run of four thousand miles between San Francisco and Callao (cal-ye-ä-o)
is the longest ever made by a battle-ship without stop, and in the
latter part of her trip, on one long stretch, she averaged over fifteen
knots, a wonderful speed at the end of a trip of over ten thousand
miles--for a vessel's bottom becomes very foul with barnacles, seaweed,
etc., which greatly retard its passage through the water.

It is reported that, while coaling at Rio, a number of dynamite-bombs
were smuggled into the coal, but fortunately they were discovered by the
sailors.

[Footnote: Authority for pronunciation of proper names: Century
Dictionary.]