6 of
the Revised Statutes, and to be an ensign in the navy, for extraordinary
heroism while in charge of the steam launch which accompanied the collier
_Merrimac_, for the purpose of rescuing her gallant force when that vessel
was, under the command of Naval Constructor Hobson, run into the mouth of
the harbour of Santiago, Cuba, on the third instant, and dexterously sunk
in the channel.

(Signed) "WILLIAM MCKINLEY."

_June 27._ The third fleet of vessels, laden with soldiers, sailed from
San Francisco for the Philippines.

From London the following news was received from the Canary Islands:

Most of the new forts have guns mounted, but are still quite exposed to
view. The earthworks are not nearly completed. It is reported that ten
thousand more soldiers are on the way from Spain. Of these five thousand
are for the Grand Canary, and the others are for Teneriffe. The Spanish
government is determined to hold the islands at any cost.

Nearly all business is absolutely at a standstill, and many of the sugar
mills are closed. If this state of uncertainty continues much longer it
will mean starvation to the working classes. All lights that can be seen
from the sea are ordered extinguished at night, though the lighthouse on
Isletta is still lighted.

The U. S. S. _Yankee_, off the Isle of Pines, captured and destroyed the
Spanish sloops _Nemesia_, of Batabano, _Amistad_ and _Manuelita_, of
Coloma, and the pilot-boats _Luz_ and _Jacinto_.

_June 28._ The President issued a proclamation extending the blockade of
Cuba to the southern coast, from Cape Frances to Cape Cruz, inclusive, and
also blockading San Juan, Porto Rico.

The proclamation was as follows:

"_Whereas_, for the reasons set forth in my proclamation of April 22,
1898, a blockade of ports on the northern coast of Cuba, from Cardenas to
Bahia Honda, inclusive, and of the port of Cienfuegos, on the south coast
of Cuba, was declared to have been instituted, and

"_Whereas_, it has become desirable to extend the blockade to other
southern ports,

"Now, therefore, I, William McKinley, President of the United States, do
hereby declare and proclaim that, in addition to the blockade of the ports
specified in my proclamation of April 22, 1898, the United States of
America has instituted and will maintain an effective blockade of all of
the ports on the south coast of Cuba, from Cape Frances to Cape Cruz,
i