The ledger. [volume] (Gaffney City, S.C.) 1896-1907, May 05, 1898, Image 2
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THE LEPGER: GAFFNEY, S. C., MAY T», 1808.
SPKS 0
Till IS Hf
Forces Under General Pando
Evacuate the Important
City of Bayamo.
GARCIA NOW IN CHARGE
Insurgent Leader niHpols All Kenrsof
Massacre and Plunder by Issuing
Proclamation Declaring Civil
ItIghts Will He Itespected.
Ktxcsrox, Jamaica, May —Genenv!
Pando, commander of the Spanish forces
in the field, withdrew the Spanish gar
rison from Bayamo, one of the impor
tant towns of the province of Santiago
de Cuba, on April U5, and refugees who
have arrived here from Manzanillo, the
port of Bayamo, by the schooner Gov
ernor Blake, say that General Calixto
Garcia, the insurgent commander, oc
cupied the town the next day.
Bayamo, or San Salvador, is situated
about 60 miles northwest of the city of
Santiago de Cuba. It has a population
of about 7,000.
The Spanish merchants and residents
of Bayamo, it appears, 'were in great
fear of plunder and massacre, hut Gen
eral Gareia issued a proclamation de
claring that the property of Spaniards
and their civil rights Would be re-
siiected. The general also personally
assured the leading Spaniards of the
place that they were perfectly safe in
remaining at Bayamo, with the result
that business went on as usual and
tranquility prevails there. The people
began bringing in vegetables and meat
from the country ami the prices of pro
visions fell. No cases of outrage have
been reported.
General Pando is understood to be at
Manzanillo, near the river Canto, with
the main body of the troops, whose op
erations he has been directing in east
ern Cuba. Up to April 27 about 6.000
men, or one-third of General Pando’s
forces, had been sent to Havana, and it
is said most of them are to go to the
Cuban capital. They will Ik* accom
panied by General Pando himself.
The population of Manzanillo, which
was about 12,000 before the war, lias
shrunk to 5,000, and food is double and
treble the ordinary prices.
But few preparations have been made
for the defense of Manzanillo.
Captain Berrie, owner of the steamer
Edmund Blunt, who recently took a
cargo of provisions to Manzanillo, re
turned here on the Governor Blake.
Tlie captain accepted a large offer from
the Spanish government for his steamer.
The direct West India cable company
has received the following notification
from Barbadoes:
"The government has established a
censorship at this station to supervise
and control the forwarding and deliv
ery of telegrams, with the view of car
rying out strictly the neutrality laws.”
H. M. S. Alert sailed from Port Royal
on Saturday. He/ destination was then
unknown, as her instructions had to lie
opened at sea. But it has since devel
oped that she was directed to go to San
tiago de Cuba. She arrived off that
port on Sunday morning, but did not
enter the harbor, presumably on account
of torpedoes. Her commander sent a
boat ashore with an officer, who called
on the British consul, F. W. Ramsdeu.
On the officer’s return the Alert sailed
for this port and arrived here today.
She was outside Santiago de Cuba for
five hours.
The health officer says the Alert
brought some passengers from Santiago
de Cuba. It is supposed she went there
in response to the British consul’s cablo
dispatch of Friday last asking for a
warship as a result of the demonstra
tion made before the British consulate.
BROOKE REVIEWS PARADE.
Nothing to Indicate an F.arly Removal
of the Soldiers.
Chattanooga, May 3.—Nothing of
especial interest occurred at Chicka-
mauga park today. General Brooke,
with his staff and all the officers who
could leave their commands, spent the
morning in the city viewing the big pa
rade given in honor of the opening of
Chattanooga’s annual spring festival.
The First regiment cavalry, 700 men
under command of Colonel Arnold,
marched into the city at an early hour
and participated in the parade.
Nothing which indicates a removal of
the troops is yet in evidence. The pay
master of the department is expected
during the next few days. He will
bring about $125,000 with him.
This Government to Officially
Recognize His Pluck and
Daring at Manila.
Papers Will Not Be Allowed
to Print News of War or
Navy Movements.
Spain Determined to Pursue
War With Greater Vigor
Than Before.
NO DETAILS OF BATTLE NO CHANGE IN MINISTRY FINAL STAND AT HAVANA
Guard the Powder Mills.
Valparaiso, Ind., May 3.—Armed
men are guarding the Aetna Powder
mills at Miller's station, this county,
day and night, for fear the works may
be blown up by some Spanish sympa
thizers. A big force is working day
and night, having received another or
der from the government. No new men
will be given employment.
American Securities Steady.
London, May 8.—The market for
American securities opened b, point
above New York. Prices cased off
slightly, but at 12:30 o’clock were steady. !
Trading was inactive. Spanish 4s opened
nominally at 32and later sold at 32 3 ^.
Saturday’s final price was 32 : V Span
ish 4s opened on the Paris bourse at
32 1 4 , a decline of %.
I.andon Expects Marly Peace.
London, May 3.—The stock market
here interprets the news from various
points as meaning the war will not last
long. Consols show an improvement
and money is plentiful.
Navy Deficiency Kntlinates.
Washington, May 3.—Secretary Long
has prepared deficiency estimates of
$18,500,000, of w hich $10,000,000 is for
supplies, transportation, etc., to the
Asiatic squadron.
Navy Department Hopes to Learn
Soon Something Concerning the
Losses of United States Fleet.
Ridiculous Spanish Stories.
Washington, May 3.—Secretary Long
annonneed today that as sinm as the de
partment received a report from Com
modore Dewey confirming the press ac
counts of his victory in the battle of
Manila, a cablegram would be sent the
officer congratulating him upon the
splendid performance of the American
licet under his directions.
Moreover, said the secretary, na
■.oon as the necesLary confirmation is
at hand. Commodore Dewey will be
made an admiral in recognition of
his valor.
This w r ill be accomplished immedi
ately by an executive order designating
him acting admiral, ;ust as was done in
the case of Captain Sampson. Later on
he probably will be nominated to the
sen: te in the usual course of promotion
to the rank of admiral.
There was no word from either dip
lomatic or naval sources at the Itegin-
ning of business at the departments to
day concerning the engagement of Com
modore Dewey last Sunday. This is no
matter of surprise to the naval officials,
for they realize that Commodore Dewey
cannot spare one of his small fleet to
use as a dispatch boat in communica
tion with this government to Hong-
Kong and their main dependence is 1
upon some merchant vessel which may
be incoming Irom the islands.
It was hoped, however, that the state
department might be able to secure |
some information that would allay the !
growing anxiety as to the extent of the
losses suffered by the American fleet, j
It is believed that several of the Eu- j
ropsan governmcNts, besides Great Brit- !
ain, received a good Neal of information
from their consuls at lo.'^ila respecting
the battle before cable communication
was broken off, but so far as is known
none of them, save the British, have
show n a disposition to meet the desire
of the American government for news
of an official character.
None of the stories coming from Span
ish sources as to the battle of Manila
appear quite so ridiculous to naval eyes
as the solemn statement that Commodore
Dewey fired Manila and the Spanish
ships by the use of petroleum bombs.
As a matter of fact there is no such
weapon of warfare in the American
navy, nor would there be any use for it.
The ordinary service shell is very much
more destructive and quite as capable of
causing a fire in combustible material
as any eontrivance based upon the use
of petroleum. This is plainly shown by
the des^Tiction of ships through fires
caused by service shells during the Jap
anese Chinese war.
It was a disclosure of the great danger
to meu-of-war thus brought prominently
forward that ltd Secretary Herbert to
order reduced to a minimum all the
woodwork in American warships and to
have all of this wood fireproof. One of.
the very first results of the battle of
Manila therefore is likely to be the ces
sation of the efforts w hich have been mak
ing for some time past to abandon the
fireproofing treatment of woodwork be
cause of certain minor inconveniences
from the use of wood so treated.
BROWNE ON THE BATTLE.
Admiral Talks of Big Victory Won at
Manila by Americans.
Indianapolis, Ind., May 3.—Admiral
Browne speaks In the highest terms of
Commodore Dewey.
“Why,” said the admiral today, “I
may say that I brought him up. I have
known him siilce he entered the naval
academy in 1854 or 1855.
“What a chonee he had. But he was
equal to it. The fight at Manila was
his Trafalgar. More fortunate than
Nelson, he will live to enjoy the honor
he has won. The moral effect of this
victory in Europe is almost incalcula
ble. The demoralization to Spain can
not be computed. I do not think Blanco
can now hold out a month in Cuba.
“I would have been greatly disap
pointed if Dewey had not accomplished
everything he was sent to do. With
fine ships, with a splendid corps of offi
cers, with as good fighting sailors as
there art; in the world and with modern
guns it was with me a foregone con*
elusion that Dewey would win.”
Dynamite For Our Troops.
Springfield, Ills., May 3.—Experts
today, who have tested the contents of a
package found in one of the company
boxes of the Third infantry, Illinois Na
tional guard, pronounce it undoubtedly
dynamite. This morning a rigid exam
ination was made of all equipment and
uaggago in the exposition building,
where the regiment is quartered, but
nothing else suspicious was discovered. ;
Investigation has so far disclosed no
clew as to the identity of the person j
who plated the infernal thing.
New British Minister Coming.
London, May 3.—According to a re- !
port published here, the British amltas-
-vdorat Washington, Sir Julian Faun-
refote, is to la: succeeded by Sir Thomas 1
H. Sanderson, K. C. B., K. C. M. G., j
the permanent under secretary of state
for foreign affairs, one of the most ex
perienced diplomatic officers in the Brit- ’
ish service.
I’reinlor Sagasta Declares That It Is
the Intention of Spain to Fight to
Hitter Knd—Wants Another
Uhanee at Our Fleet.
Madrid, May 8.—The proclamation
of martial law, issued by the governor
general, expressly prohibits the publica
tion of news concerning the war or the
movements of the ships of the Spanish
navy.
The principal newspapers advise calm
ness, so as to “avoid the unpatriotic
spectacle of disturbances when Spain’s
united energies are required to avenge
ler recent losses.”
Much attention centers in today’s
debates in the chamber and senate,
which will be raised by the Republicans
and Carlists, who propose to hold the
government responsible for the coun
try’s present position.
Although the position of certain mem
bers of the cabinet is regarded as unfa
vorable, it is a matter of difficulty to
find men who are willing to succeed
them under the present circmnslances.
All classes are demanding that a strong,
military attitude be taken np by men
caple of coping with the present situa
tion.
Nobody will listen to a proposal of
peace until Spain has had another
chance of measuring her strength
with that of the United States.
Although Premier Sagasta's confer
ences wiih the queen regent and Lib
eral leaders, Montero, Rios, led to ru
mors of the formation of a national gov
eminent, the facts are that Senor Sa
gasta placed the situation before the
queen regent, explaining that the sig
nificance of the events in the Philippine
islands indicated certain possible solu
tions for the future. Thereupon the
queen expressed continued confidence in
the government, which will continue as
now constituted for the present.
The queen regent and the cabinet
have agreed that the cortes should con
tinue in session.
Senor Salmeron has given notice that
he will interpellate the government on
the events in the Philippine islands, and
Premier Sagasta will reply, voicing the
intention of the queen’s government to
pursue the war to the bitter end.
It is rumored that Senor Gassett will
propose that the present minister of ma
rine, Admiral Bermejo, and h s prede
cessor, Admiral Beranger, be forced to
assume responsibility for the Philippine
disaster.
The patriotic feeling hero is increas
ing.
The Spanish officials say that when
Commodore Dewey demanded the sur
render of the Spanish guns, torpedoes,
etc., Governor General A”gusti teplied:
“Come and face them.’
Imi ortant papers here insist that the
cabinet crisis is only postponed for a
tew hours.
A vore of censure upon the minister
of marine is to bo proposed in the cortes
tcslay.
Madrht Officials Announce That They
Will Make One Supreme Effort
ta Urusli United States Fleet
Now In Cuban Waters.
London, May 3.—It is annonneed in a
fqH'cial dispatch from Madrid that there
is no talk of surrender there either in
ministerial circles or among the popu
lace. On the contrary, it is added that
war is to Ik* pur-ued with greater vigor.
This special dispatch adds that it Is
even stated at Madrid, by those who
are responsible for the naval move
ments. that it has been determined to
avoid isolated combats on unequal
footing and with a superior enemy,
and that they now intend to throw
tho whole nnited naval strength of
Spain into one supreme effort to crush
the American squadron in Cuban
waters.
Continuing, the special says:
“Until this engagement is fought no
proposal for intervention will be lis
tened to.”
A Cadiz dispatch says that the second
Spanish squadron, consisting of the war
ships Pelayo, Alfonso III and Yittoria
and a number of smaller ships, has
nearly completed its preparations for ac
tive service. It reported, however, that
great difficulty is experiencing in fitting
out the ships, owing to the lack of
money. The British engineers have re
fused to serve on board of them owing,
it is said, to the belief that they are
liable to heavy punishment under the
foreign enlistment act. The Spanish
auxiliary cruiser Gnurda, it is an
nounced, has taken 14 guns on board,
and is now on a trial cruise.
A special dispatch from Madrid says
the Spanish colonial office had advices
of the beginning of the bombardment of
Manila before the cable was cut, which
said:
“Thus far the American shells have
not reached the town proper, which is
strongly protected.”
Continuing, the advices to tho co
lonial office at Madrid are said to have
read:
“Only the outlying native quarters
have suffered. They are nowin flames.
Occasionally a shell fell in the European
town, where a few houses were struck.
“The battery of the citadel, especially
the six largo guns, are vigorously re
plying to the American fire and have
inflicted considerable damage on tho
fleet.”
—
SPAIN URGED TO SUBMIT.
The Britons Advise Madrid Officials
in Their Present Trouble.
New York, May 3.—A dispatch to
The World from London says: The re
port was current in the house of com
mons at midnight that an official tele
gram had been received by the foreign
office from the British consul general at
Manila announcing the capitulation of
Manila.
The story is unconfirmed, but it is
known that several cable messages have
jassed between Balfour ami the British
ambassador at Madrid, in which tho
British government n* understood to
have advised the Spanish cabinet that
an honorable submission is the best way
of safeguarding Spanish interests in tn*e
Philippines, as well as those of other
powers concerned.
Army Concentration Points.
Washington, May 8.—Chickamauga
and Washington have been absolutely
decided on as volunteer army concen
tration points. At least one other east
ern jM)iut will be chosen, probably either
in New York or Pennsylvania.
ANOTHER PRIZE IS LANDED.
Gunboat Castine Brings Small Fishing
Vessel Into Key West.
Key West, May 3. — The United
States gunboat Castine, Commander R.
M. Berry, brought in this morning a
small prize, ths 2 masted fishing
schooner Antonio y Paco, having on
board a cargo of fish. The Pac o was
captured off Mariel yesterday while
bound for Havana. Only a blank shor
was necessary to cause the light craft
to heave to and she was towed in here.
The United States cruiser Marble
head, commander B. H. McGalla, has
not yet arrived here with the Spanish
steamer Argonauta, captured by the
Nashville on Friday last and having on
board, besides some Spanish army offi
cers and 48 passengers, a large amount
of mail matter, from the Spanish gov
ernment, intended for Captain General
Blanco and other Spanish officials in
Cuba.
The Argonauts is regarded as being
one of the most important captures
since the outbreak of hostilities. The
mail matter, especially, is considered
likely to prove valuable to the United
States government. She also had on
board a large cargo of arms and ammu
nition, intended for the Spanish troops.
The captive Spanish officers (Colonel
Corijo of the Third Spanish cavalry, his
first lieutenant, a sergeant major and
seven other lieutenants) carried them
selves with almost humorous nonchal
ance, and told the American naval offi
cers that it did their hearts good to “see
such a gathering of well fed and pros
perous looking men.”
BRITAIN IS STAGGERED
Overwhelming Victory of Our
Fleet Causes Surprise.
MUCH PRAISE FOR DEWEY
Polltleal Results Likely to Ensue
From the American Capture of
Philippines Excite Inteuso
Interest In London.
New York, May 8.—A dispatch to
The World from London says: Eng
land has been staggered by Commodore
Dewey’s overwhelming victory. The
superiority of the United States squad
ron was recognized, hut it was fully
believed that it would have been more
than counterbalanced by the assistance
afforded the Spanish fleet by the sub
marine mines and the powerful shore
batteries.
The splendid seamanship and valor of
Commodore Dewey in forcing an en
trance to Manila harbor in the face o£
these defenses excite intense admiration,
while among naval experts the dispatch
with which the American squadron dis
posed of the Spaniard:- is held to prove
that Commodore Dewey employed the
resources at his command with the
highest possible amount of effectiveness.
Lord Charles Berestord said:
"It was a brilliant stroke. Every
thing, as I said to you before, depends
upon the man in modern naval war
fare.
"Dewey is an able officer. He brought
his coal and Workshops with him. He
thought out and planned the whole
affair with consummate skill and fore
sight.”
"As to the political results—do you
think Germany will like it'/”
"No, Germany won’t, nor will the
Japanese, either. But the United States
should t* satified, anyway.”
Sir John Holcomb, a high naval au
thority and artillerist, said:
“From the accounts available I gather
that the Spanish fleet is destroyed com
pletely and in every respect, i dare say
that when we receive information from
non-Spanish sources its completeness
will be even more striking. Vv hat ap
pears to me and those with whom I
have discussed the news the most dis
graceful feature of the action is the fail
ure of the Spanish batteries to give ef
fective assistance to their fleet. Of
course the fleet itself was entirely out
classed. But that does not account for
Dewey being permitted to enter tho
harbor, which is provided with proper
modern defenses.”
Gibson Bowles, M. P., also an au
thority on naval matters, said:
“It is perfectly clear, in my opinion,
that the Sqianish fleet has been knocked
into a cocked hat. Dewev achieved a
brilliant piece of work ar d which, the
more we hear of it, the more admirable
it is likely to appear.”
Political consequences are likely to
ensue from the United Elates capture of
the Philippines, which has excited im
mense interest here. Germany has long
had a covetous eye upon these rieh
islands, while British interests have
been a bar to any deal between Spain
and Germany in relation to them. Japan
also is known to eagerly desire these
nossessions.
Queen Regent Dies Hard.
London, May 3.—Special dispatches
from Romo say the queen regent has
telegraphed the jioihi that Spain is re
solved to resist to the bitter end.
MasKrtehusetts is Moving.
Highland Light, Mass., May 3.—The
United States cruiser Massachusetts
passed out by this point at U o’clock this
morning, heading south.
Thanks For the Victory.
Washington, May 8.—In his prayer
today the chaplain of the house gave
thanks for tho victory won by the
American fleet.
Praise From English Press.
London, May 3.—The majority of the
important British provincial papers to
day juiy warm tributes to the conduct !
of Comunxlore Dewey and the United
Stitti‘6 fleet ut .Manila.
To Make Dewey Admiral.
Washington, May 3.—Representativo
Grout has offered a resolution thanking
Commodore Dewey and promoting him
to admiral.
Guards In Madrid Doubled.
Madrii), May 3.—As a precaution tho
trtsips have been conflucd to the bar-
ru< k« and the guards have been doubled.
Cruiser at Provlnoetown.
Provincetown, Mass., May 3.—Tho
cruiser San Francisco arrived hue at 7
o’clock this morning.
No Details of the Fight.
Hong-Kong, M.iy 3.—No news of any
description in regard to the battle of
Manila has been received here, with the
exception of the information cabled
from London. The insurgent leaders
here are hoping to administer the Phil
ippine islands provisionally under Amer
ican protection, but there are endless
dissensions among the insurgents at
Hong-Kong.
The Powers May Intervene.
Paris, May 8.—An American dip
lomat of position here is quoted as say
ing European intervention is going to
occur almost certainly and that the
United States will be disposed to wel
come it.
M Hit I la Said to Have Fallen.
| New York, May 3.—A Wall street
! agency sends out the following from
r Hong-Kong: Manila has fallen. The
stars and stripes wave over the Phil-
| ippines.
Sampson’s Fleet Sails.
Madrid, May 3.—An official dispatch
from Havana says the entire American
squadron has sailed, presumably in the
direction of Key West.
1 No Troops For Manila Now.
Washington, May 3.—The president
will await advices from Cnmmodoro
Dewey Ixffore deciding whether to send
' troops to Manila.
CABLE TO MANILA IG CUT.
No Coninuinicatioii Whatever With
Philippine Islands Now.
London, May 3.—Inquiries made at
the offices of the Eastern Telegraph
company show it to have been impossi
ble for any word to have come from
Manila since 10 o’clock yesterday morn
ing. Loudon time, when the cable was
cut.
i The officials of the company say that,
according to the tests from Hong-Kong,
the cable was cut 50 miles from Manila.
They think a week, or even a fortnight,
| may elapse before it can be repaired, as
j. there are no facilities there to repair the
i cable, and in any event, it w r ill be a
! difficult task to pick up the cable in deep
water.
Inquiry at the main office of the East
ern Telegraph company in this city de
velops the fact that the last message be
fore the interruption in the cable ser
vice to Manila was timed at Manila at 0
o'clock Monday evening and that noth
ing has been received since.
It is reported that an American war
ship cut the Manila cable and took an
i end on board for the purpose of com
munication.
——
FUEL SENT_TOJ3UR FLEET.
Commodore Dewey Will Soon Have
an Abundance of Coal.
New York, May 3.—A special to The
I Herald from Washington says: Secre-
I tary Long has taken immediate meas-
I ures to relieve the United States fleet in
the Pacific of any embarassment it might
feel for want of coal. Orders have been
; telegraphed to the government author
ities at San Francisco to select two of
the swiftest ships at that port, load
them with mil and dispatch them at
once to the relief of Commodore Dew
ey’s squadron.
j As China and Japan delayed making
I declarations of neutrality some experts
in international law hold that the United
States may still obtain coal in eastern
ports. Commodore Dewey’s achieve-
! nients, however, have caused the ad
ministration to feel that the govern
ment should not hesitate to send him
supplies at once, without waiting to
speculate on what eastern ports may bo
open to him.
Irishmen ('oiigrutuliite Us.
Losimin, May 3.—The Parnellite mem
bers of parliament have sent tho follow
ing dispatch to President McKinley:
i “In the name of millions of Irishmen,
; the Parnellite members of the house of
, commons send you their congratulations
on the victory of the American fleet.
(Signed) John Redmond.”
Cuban Killed at Savannah.
Savannah, May 3.—Narciso J. B. Do
1 Luna, a Culwn from New York enroute
! to Jacksonville to enlist in the United
States army, was run over ami killed by
u Central railway train here this morn
ing. He was a cigar maker and only
i arrived here today.
SECOND WEEK
OF STRUGGLE
Progress of the War to Drive Out
Spanish and Restore Peace.
Mutanzan Forts Bombarded.
The erui'ers New York and (’in> inn:iti ,
sn 1 the monitor Puritan bombarded the
forts at Matauzas, Cuba, Wednesday
afternoon. There were no ca-ualfit -, on
our side*, but great damage and loss of
lite is believed to have been done tho
enemy.
About 300 shot:: were exchanged. The
Spanish guns proved too weak to reach
the American vessels.
The object of the attack, which lasted
a little less than an hour, was to pre
vent the completion of the earthworks
at Puntu Gorda.
Still \notlicr Rich Seizure.
Thursday tho United States monitor
Terror brought into Key West the big
Spanish steamer Guido, bound from
Corunna, Spain, for Havana. The prize
had on board a largo cargo of provis
ions and money intended for the Span
ish troops in Cuba.
The capture took place It) miles off
Cardenas, after a desperate chase, dur
ing which the Terror and the gunlioat
Machias fired, almost blowing the Span
iard’s pilothouse into the water.
Object of Mata nzas Attack.
It was officially stated in Washing
ton Thursday that the purpose of the
attack on Matanzas was to ascertain if
any shore batteries existed there and if
so to draw their fire and learn their
character. (
The navy department also gave out
the information that Matanzas is soon
to lie reduced and used as a base of
operations in tho campaign against
Havana.
Weyler on the \\ ar.
General Weyler, in the Spanish sen
ate Friday, urged the government to
take the offensive against America.
With much warmth and sternness ho
defended his political and military acts
of severity in Cuba, showing that ho
deemed them vitally necessary, and that
they were justified by tho results they 'I
produced.
Spanish Squadron Sails.
The Spanish fleet sailed from St. Vin
cent, Capo de Verde islands, Friday,
presumably for Cuba. This move was
forced by a neutrality decree from Por
tugal.
Troops For Port Tampa.
Orders from Washington caused a big
movement of troops from Chicamauga
to Tampa Friday. Artillery, infantry
and cavalry were rushed to tho front
with all possible haste.
Steamer Paris Safe.
The American lino steamship Paris,
which left Southampton on April 22,
and for whose safety fears were enter
tained, arrived at New York SattmMiy.
She had a rough passage, but saw noth
ing of the enemy on her way over.
First Big Naval Fight.
The American squadron, under Com
modore Dewey, appeared off the bay of
Manila, capital of the Philippine islands,
at 5 o’clock Sunday morning and opened
a strong cannonade against the Sjianish
squadron and forts protecting the harbor.
The engagement lasted two hours
and resulted in the annihilation of the
Spanish fleet.
No Spanish warships surrendered and
the majority perished. Two Spanish
commanders were killed while resisting
to the last moment. Spanish losses es
timated at 400 men killed, including
many natives.
The American squadron fought furi
ously both the Sitanish squadron and
Cavite, where it caused great damage. r '
Admiral Montejo transferred his Hag
to the cruiser Isla de Cuba from tho
cruiser Reina Maria Christia, which
was completely burned, as was also the ^
cruiser Castilla, the other ships having
to retire from the combat, some being
sunk to prevent their falling into the
hands of the enemy.
The damage to tho American fleet
and the loss of life on our side, if any.
was not referred to in the dispatcher
from Madrid telling of the battle, and
Washington officials stated that it
would probably lx* several days before
Dywey could be heard from.
After tho light the United States fleet
took up a position in front of Manila
and blockaded that port. y
Makeup of the Two Fleets.
The victorious American fleet was
made up as follows: Cruisers Olympia,
Baltimore, Boston,Concord and Raleigh;
gunboat Petrel; dispatch boat Hugh
McCulloch; steamer Nashau, store
ship; steamer Zafiro, collier.
The Spanish fleet was composed of
tho following: Cruisers Beina Chris
tina, Castilla, Velasco and Don Juan de
Austria; gunboats Paraguay, Ufloa El %
Cano, General Lezo ami Marquez Del
Druco; transports General Alava and
Cuba.
Vigorous Ah ion In Cuba.
At the foreign embassies and lega
tions in Washington an intense interest
was shown in the news of the decisive
victory of the American fleet at Manila.
It was stated by a high diplomatic offi
cial that another such victory would end
the cause of Spain and would force her
to seek an armistice ami peace.
Tho unmrsal belief in diplomatic
quarters was that the stroke in the-
w hiliopines would be followed immudi-
»y aggressive action in Cuba.
Germans on the Victory.
The news of the brilli nt victory
won by t e United S;atcs fl x*t off
Manila was n«« vod at Berlin, ex
cept in government circles, with gen
eral incredulity, although tho foreign
office was full of the news on Sunday
and it promptly notified tho embuses.
The newspapers cither did not publish
the news, or if they published/it, they
expressed doubt-, us t j its rchabilty,