Evening star., 1898-05-02

dispatch to the Daily Mail from Mad
rid, dated this morning, says:
The cabinet ministers admit that the
naval battle off Cavite ended in utter rout.
hut they are resolved to spare no efforts
ir. the defense of their country.
In the louise Of commons today Mr.. A. j.
Balfour, the government leader and first
lord of the treasury, answering a question
on the subject, said tine government had
received information pointing to a serious
battle at Manila and the destruction Of
portion of the Spanish fleet
He added that British warship was on
her way there, explaining that anything
the government can do to preserve British
lives and interest will be DONE
Dewey Moves On Manila.
THE American fleet is believed to be
much damaged"
The afternoon newspapers today COM
ment at length upon the victory of the
United States fleet at Manila. The Pail
Mall Gazette says: THE earlier Spanish
stories left no shadow Of doubt that the
Spanish fleet hal been, to put 1t roundly,
smashed, and the later Information this
morning places it even hey yond a possibility
of Spanish denial
The newspapers all discuss the ultimate
fate Of the Philippine Islands as a ques-
ton in which the European powers are
vitality interested, and they agree in say
ba
been introduced into the far eastern scram-
BILE.
Report to the Queen Regent.
After the cabinet council, the Madrid dis
patch to the Evening News continues,
Gen. Corea, the minister for war, and
Admiral Bermejo, the minister of marine,
nude report to the queen regent. The
latter, it appears, who had already heard
Of the reverse, was ahame with patriotic
enthusiasm" and declared that while The
loss of SO many ships was a misfortune
there was Satisfaction in the reflection
that the spaniards had covered themselves
with honor"
The queen regent is said to have added:
My spirit can never be daunted SO long
as can rely on the patriotism and courage
Of the Spaniards.''
The absence Of further details of the
Spanish defeat is supposed, according to
occupation Of Capt. Gen. August in de-
Tending Manila"
Spanish Surrender Demanded.
The British governor Of the straits set
Elements, Lieutenant Colonel Sir G. B. H.
Mitchell, has sent a cable dispatch to the
colonial office here saying the United States
fleet ''annihilated'' the Spanish fleet in
two hours engagement.
The dispatch adds that Commodore Dew
ey last night demanded the surrender of
all the torpedoes and guns at Manila and
the control of the cables under pain of
bombardment. General August, the Span
ish governor general. refused to surrender
them. and it is supposed the bombardment
of Manila is now proceeding.
Details of the Battle.
The details of the battle Of Manila have
been received at the British colonial Office.
They came in two cabls messages received
yesterday evening. the substance of which
has been furnished to the Associated Press
by the officials of the colonial office today.
The first cable dispatch announces that
the United States fleet entered Manila har-
tor at daybreak yesterday. stationing itself
opposite the city. A fort opened fire on ths
American ships, whereupon they shifted
their position to one near Cavite, In Manila
bay. engaging in fierce fight against both
the forts and tina Spanish fleet.
The engagement lasted two hours. and re-
suited in the annihilation Of the Spanish
feet.
This dispatch adds that the American
ships withdrew to their magazine vessel.
in the center Of the roadstead, for the pur-
rose of coaling.
One vessel Disabled.
One American vessel, the name Of which