At Santiago the young commander had received news that many of the foreign nations were growing tired of the war.
Out of sixteen naval battles they had won but four and out of twenty-two contests on land only three stood to their credit.
In the meantime Uncle Sam had not been idle.
An army of invasion, numbering forty thousand soldiers, had been landed on the coast of England and had taken possession of two forts and one city located there.
Another army was on its way to Japan and a third had just left the Philippines bound for China.
More than this, the Boers of South Africa had thrown in their fortunes with the United States and Cape Colony had followed. Four small South American republics had likewise declared for our country and were willing to do whatever Congress and President Adams wanted of them.
"Things are coming our way fast," declared Andy, when talking the matter over with the young naval captain. "I reckon those foreigners who have combined against us are heartily sick of their job. I can't understand why they went in at all."
"It's the capitalists who forced the war, Andy. The United States is taking the trade of the world fast, and they had to do something."
"Then why didn't they stop buying our goods?"
"Because the common people won't stand that—not if they can buy our goods cheaper than they can their own. When you touch a man's pocketbook you touch his heart."