The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-05-02
Others Sunk and the Remainder Probably
SCuttled to Avoid Capture.
All News Received Through Spanish Official Sources
Number of Casualties Unknown-Prema-
ture Jubilation at Madrid

MADRID, May $3.50 o'clock p. mad
vices from Manila say that the American
squadron under Commodore Dewey ap-
peared off the bay of Manila at o'clock
this morning and opened a strong cannon
ade against the Spanish squadron and forts
protecting the harbor. The Spanish second
class cruiser Don Juan de Austria was
severely damaged and her commander was
killed. Another Spanish vessel was burned.
The American squadron retired. having also
sustained severe damage.
A second naval engagement followed in
which the American squadron again suffered
considerable loss and the Spanish war ships
Mindanao and Uuoa were slightly damaged.
During this engagement the Cavite forts
maintained a steadier and stronger fire on
the American squadron than in the first
engagement
Admiral Bermejo. the minister of marine.
has expressed himself as highly pleased
with the heroIsm of the Spanish marines
and has telegraphed congratulations to Ad-
miral Montejo and the valorous crews of
the Spanish squadron under fire of superior
war ships. ""*
p. m.-Following is the text Of the off,
cial dispatch from the governor general
of the Philippines to the minister of war,
Lieutenant General Correa, as to the en-
gagement off Manila:
Last night, April so, the batteries at the
entrance to the fort announced the arrival
Of the enemy's squadron. which forced
passage under the obscurity of the night.
At daybreak the enemy took up positions,
opening with a strong fire against Fort
Cavite and the arsenal. Our feet engaged
the enemy in a brilliant combat, protected
by the Cavite and Manila forts. They
obliged the enemy, with heavy loss, to ma
neuver repeatedly. At o'clock the Ameri-
can squadron took refuge behind the for
eign merchant shipping, on the east side of
the bay. Our fleet, considering the enemy's
superiority, naturally suffered a severe loss
The Maria Christina is on fire and another
ship, believed TO be the Don Juan de Aus
tria, was blown up. There was considerable
loss of life. Captain Cadarzo, commanding
the Maria Christina, is among the killed
1 cannot now give further details. The
spirit of the army. navy and volunteers is
excellent" -.
9 p. m.-The news from the Philippines
has produced greatly increased enthusiasm,
especially in view of the fact that the
American squadron was obliged to retreat
Notwithstanding the severe damage the
Spanish ships sustained naval officers here
consider that further operations by the
American squadron will be conducted under
great difficulty. owing to their having no
base where they could repair and recoal
or obtain fresh supplies of ammunition
Another account says the Mindanao and
Ulloa were severely damaged in the second
engagement.
10 p. m.-Admiral Bermejo, minister
of marine, joined the Cabinet council
this evening and informed his coll
leagues that the Spanish force had gained
victory in the Philippines. He asserted that
he found difficulty in restraining his joy
ful emotions The official dispatch does
not mention the destruction of any Amer
lean vessels. although 1t says that the
United States squadron finally cast anchor
in the bay behind the foreign merchantmen
Midnight-El Heraldo de Madrid says that
Admiral Montejo changed his flagship dur
ing the engagement or between the two en-
counters. in order 10 better direct the ma
'asuverz In this way he escaped the fate or