The Portland daily press., 1898-07-14
DIRECT FROM MANILA.
Two Thomaston Ladies Present and Tell
of Dewey's Glorious Victory.
(Rookland Courier-Gazette. }

(Rocklan Courier Gazette
The following is an extract from letters
received by Miss Stonie Tucker of Thorn
aston, from her two sisters who have
lived in Manila for a number of years:
Manila, May 4, 1898.
1t seems almost like dream to be liy-
ing In So much war excitement. The
Americans anchored on Sunday morning
about o'clock and were at once fired
upon by the Spaniards. But what could
they do with their small boats and guns,
''al lado de los Americanos''?
The Americans sank every Spanish
gunboat and killed and wounded 49O men
within 20 minutes, and they did not lose
ship and had only five men wounded.
1t was awful while it lasted but it was
all over before we got much frightened.
On Monday they made the attack on
Cavite and in an hour blew up the entire
place and last night hoisted the Stars AMI
Stripes on the only remaining dome in
the place. What glory for our country
men am proud of them as can be but
dare not say SO here.
They next dshed up the cable and now
have the means of communicating with
the United States, and the poor Span
iards, who have had these islam DIS for $40
years, have to do their telegraphing
through the Americans. Tomorl ow night
we shall know what they intend to do
next.
Admiral Dewey does not want to bonn
bard Manila but the General here is rath-
er stubborn and does not want to give in,
so think che will fight to the last,''
and will lay Manila in ashes before he
will surrender. What is to become of US
all don't know; we have one British
man~of-War here and believe others are
to come soon, SO we may take refuge
there.
The natives are all delighted at the
turn of affairs and their faces are BEAM
ing with satisfaction but the poor Span
iards look sick. 1 really can't help pity
ing them: They fought well and brayely
and the U. 5. Admiral says he shall con-
slider it an honor to shake hands with so
brave q man as the Spanish General.
The Englishmen are all quite safe and
look most calm and collected with the ex-
ception of few. Two have high fever
and one has gone raving crazy. Poor
young fellow, it is quite sad to see him.
he lives but a few houses below us and
last night he tried to jump out of the
window, after which he was more calm
and slept for the first time since the
Americans arrived.
Last evening we took our usual drive
in the city but it was far from enjoyable,
nearly everybody has deserted Manila
and gone into the country and the streets
are full Of soldiers and dead men. There
are thousands here in Santa Ana.
1t will seem strange to have this an
American port. Within ten years the
Spanish language will not be spoken here
and QG tha ho r,ia
will be overrun with Yankees.
June Here we are still in Manila
and all SAFE but still blockaded. The
Americans are sailing all over the bay,
doing just as they please, but they can t
get hold of Manila as Dewey has not
the troops to land if they lombard We
are quite happy and well so far in the
midst of wars horrors, but shall certain
" leave if things grow worse. ] shall
feel badly to leave my house to be pill |
LACED by robbers.
The English people who left their
homes in Cayite on May found every.
thing destroyed; pianos cut up, furniture |
all broken, mirrors and glasses smashed |
and clothes stolen. A great many of the !
natives will not fight but they have |
formed band of robbers and come into |
the city to pillage, whenever they can.
The rebel chief, you remember 1 told |
you he had been bought off and sent to |
douS EOuS, Woll no is now General /
Aguinaldo and lives in the Government
House at Cayite and has 81, 600 men. He
Is going to join the Americans.
Admiral Dewey is anxiously waiting
the arrival of his troops before he begins
to fight. The Spanish are doing all they
can. Last night in front Of our house
they drilled about thousand men, vol
unteers, five hundred of whom were ma
tives and they were joining the Span
iards thensto get arms but would light
with the Americans when they came.
This was what native woman told me-
The latest report is that Spain is nego-
tfating with France to buy the Philip
pines and in that case there will not be
much of a fight except with the rebels, for
Gen. Aguinaldo says he will not let the
Spuniards hold Manila.
June 3-The fighting is going on hot
and heavy some little distance from Ca
vite People are rushing out our way for
safety. Poor souls, it is hard finding a
safe retreat. The Spanish ladies Just
about live in the churches, saying their
devotions to the Virgin Mary. / am send
ing this letter on a Japanese gunboat
which sails today.
A cablegram has since been received by
Miss Tucker, say ing that her sisters had
eft Manila and had gone to Hong Kong,
arriving fhare .TuIv 1 L