The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1896-12-23
SPANISH ROUTED.
Campaign In the Philippines
an Utter Failure.
The Spanish, However, Sent
Out Lying Reports.
THE REBELS HELD OUT
They Repulsed Three Assaults
of Spanish Troops.
The Latter Retired Each Time
With Heavy Loss.
THE REBELS HELD OUT

San Francisco. Cal. Dec. 23.-Private
Rdvices from Manila. Philippine is
lands. reached here today and are veri-
fed by an account that appears in
the Hong Kong press received per Bel
gfc The news contained in the COM
municauon deals with the attack by
the Spanish on the Noveleta Isthmus.
and the attempt Of the Spanish to dis
lodge the insurgents i'm Cavite and Vie
jo. Al the end of the campaign, which
lasted until the 14th of November, the
Spanish authorities sent out dispatches
reporting that the attack had been
made and that the rebel loss was very
The Spanish claimed 10 have lost IS
killed and 100 wounded. 1t is now
learned that the great victory that the
CastIlians predicted ended in ignomini-
Gus defeat The rebels held NOveleta
against Warships and troops The
Spaniards retired after suffering heavy
loss.
The Spanish forces under Gen. Rios
were divided into two brigades of 1000
men each supported by the Spanish
gunbOats in the bay. The insurgents
numbered about II, OO0 but they were
strongly entrenched in Cavite and
Noveleta. AT the head of the Noveleta
peninsula the ground was honeycombed
with rifle pits, ana the town defended
from an assau It by earth works, plant
pieces OF heavy artillery Rios attacked
the first line Of redoubts at Noveleta
and the rebels fell back to the main
line in defense, mile ina the rear on the
picket line. The Spanish had their
plans we'll arranged They placed the
cruiser close to shore and their guns
covered the attack of the royal troops
The cruisers shells reached the outside
defences of the rebels. but had little
effect on the defeuces OF the city. The
fight started at 8 o'clock on Sunday.
Nov M fasar Inv frNr I'm
afternoon the insurgents outer works
had been evacuated. Then a general
attack followed Rios throwing the
main body of his first brigade against
the rebel entertainments. The gunbOats
opened fire ON the enemy. but owing to
bad gunnery failed to cause any dam
age to the defenses. The Cardelia, the
closest To CaVlte. was fully six miles
from the town, and all of her shells fell
short, owing to the extreme elevation
given the ships cannon
W hen Rios men reached the Insurgents
works terrific fire was opened on them.
They marched forward resolutely until
the rifle pits commenced to belch forth
Ilfe- moving down their ranks The coll
umn faltered, then retreated slowly un-
The Spanish troops were in the open
ana subjected to the fun effect of the tire
could have been slaughtered.
The morning of the ninth the Spanish
repaired the remnants of the first brigade
The second brigade had suffered very
little
The steamer Isabel First and small
transport were used TO fetch the wound
eu 70 port from the peninsula At least
500 wounded We're brought from the battle
field.
on Wednesday. November ID. Rios pre-
pared and headed a second attack on No
veleta.
He threw his entire army against the
redoubts and was routed with heavy loss
in the first attack. The gunboats failed
to aid the troops to any extent. their
shot falling short. The Spanish did not
attempt to renew the action, but waited
until the morning of the l4th when
weak effort was made to flank the rebels
the failure of which ended the lighting
for the time being.