Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1898-05-07

hold upon Cuba rather than 10 risk los
ing all Of her West Indian possessions
and the philippines as well.
Dewey's Purpose in Landing.
In the dispatches from Madrid the
statement al made that Admiral
Dewey effected a landing on the west
side OF Manila bay for the men OF his
Acct who were wounded in the engage
mcnt. It was suggested in official cir
cles that this landing has a twofold
purpose. 1t was not only that the
wounded might have better care than
they could receive on shipboard, i'll the
face of other %propable engagements,
but also to carry out what was known
TO be Admiral Dewey's purpose to eff
feet q junction with the insurgents as
soon cs possible. The insurgent forces
practically surround Manila on the
land sides of the city, and with the in
tention of securing control Of Manila
rs o o as possible Admiral Dewey was
to obtain u footing on the island at the
earliest practicable moment. As soon
as the junction of the American and in
surgent forces is effected Il demand is
likely to be made for the surrender of
the city, and, in the event Of a re.
fusal, n combined attack would be
made upon it. The result Of such an
attack, in the absence of n Spanish
fleet and effective shore batteries,
seems a f%oregone conclusion.
No news OF n definite character is
given concerning the loss sustained
by Admiral Dcwey's squadron, and It
is scarcely likely, in the opinion or the
experts of the navy, that authentic in
formation will be received until Adj
miral Dewey has opportunity TO com
municate officially with the depart
ment. 1t is regarded as probable that
Immediately after the engagements Of
yesterday Admiral Dewey sent the rev.
enue cutter McCulloch back to Hong
Kong with dispatches and that the
first information from him will come
from that point. The distance from
Manila to Hong Kong is q trihc over
COO miles, and it will take the McCul-
loch about two days to make the trip.
Captain Goes Down with Ills Ship
London, May "a special dispatch
from Madrid this morning says the
Spaniards fought splcndidly, the sail
ors refusing to leave the burning and
sinking ships. The captain Of the
Reina Christiana went down with the
vessels.
Dispatches from Madrid dated 2:20
Il. IN. say the city is now tranquil, al
though the mounted guards are patrol
ing all the main streets. At the thea
tiers, cafes and in front of the newspa-
per Offices last evening the people loud
~ lamcntcd the unpreparcdncss of Ma
Mia TO resist the American warships,
whose attack had long been expected.
The Madrid authorities are determined
vigorously to suppress all street dem
onstrations.
Probabilities point in the direction
of the second engagement having oc-
cured through the Spaniards trying
to prevent the landing OF the Amcri-
can wounded.
Reliable details cannot be had until
Commodore Dewey's squadron is able
TO communicate with Hong Kong.
There is, however. Il suspicious frank
ness about Spanish dispatches that
savors Of a desire TO break the UNI
pleasant news TO the Spaniards. 1t is
not unlikely, therefore, that Commo-
dore Dewey may he able to renew the
attack.
Early Reports From Madrid.
Madrid, May 3.-Advices from Ma
Mia say that the American squadron
under Commodore Dewey appeared oil
the bay of Manila at ) o'clock yester-
day morning and opened a strong can
nonade against the Spanish squadron
and forts protecting the harbor. The
Spanish second class cruiser Don Juan
de Austria was severely damaged and
Ia. .,,,,r,n1nr Gi11aI Annthnr Snln-
ish vessel was burned. The American
squadron retired, having also Sus-
tanned severe damage.
A second naval engagement fol
lowed, in which the American squad
ron again suffered considerable loss
and the Spanish w%arships Mindano
and Ulloa were slightly damaged. Dur
ing this engagement the CaNite forts
maintained q steadier and stronger fire
upon the American squadron than in
the first engagement.
Dispatch From Governor General
The following is the text Of the of
fetal dispatch from the governor gen
eraI Of the Philippines to the minister
of war, General Correa, rs to the en-
gagements off Manila:
Last night, April 80, the batteries
at the entrance TO the fort announced
the arrival of the enemy's squadron,
forcing n passage under the obscurity
of night. At daybreak the enemy took
up positions, opening with n strong
fire against Fort Cavite and the ar
senal.
Our feet engaged the enemy in "A
brilliant combat, protected by the Cav
vite and Manila forts. They obliged
the enemy to maneuver repeatedly. At
o o'clock the American squadron took
refuge behind the foreign merchant
shipping, on the east side of the bay.
Our feet, considering the enemy's
superiority, naturally suffered n Sc
we're loss. The Maria Christina is on
fire and another ship, believed 10 be
the Don Juan de Austria, was blown
UP. There was considerable loss of
life. Captain Cadarzo, commanding
the Maria Christina, is among the
killed. ! cannot now give further de-
tails. Tie spirit of the army, navy
and volunteers is excellent"
Crushing Spanish Defeat.
London, May 3.-While it is quite clear
that the Spanish squadron has suffered n
rushing defeat, the dispatches leave out
the intensely interesting question whether
the United States squadron has suffered
material damage. All news thus far comes
from Spanish sources, but it seems evident
that Commodore Dewey has not captured
Manila. Unless he is able to make an
other attack and capture the town he will
be I'm an awkward position, having no base
upon which to retire and to refit.
Probably, therefore, the United States
squadron will be obliged to make for San
as the entrance to Manila bay
is heavily mined with torpedoes. Commo-
dore Dewey displayed great pluck and
daring I'm making for the inner harbor.
According to private advices received
from Madrid, the United States cruiser
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