The herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1893-1900, 1898-05-04
FIRST OFFICIAL NEWS
COMES THROUGH THE FRENCH
FOREIGN OFFICE
NO FURTHER FACTS ARE GIVEN
But the Reports of Dewey's Over
whelming Victory at Manila Are
Fully Confirmed
Associated Press Special Wire


WASHINGTON, May s.-The French Am
bassador, M. Jules Cambon, has received a
dispatch from the Foreign Ofsce at Paris
stating that the french Ambassador at
Madrid, M. Patenotre, has forwarded Of
fetal details of the Spanish reverse at
Manila, based on the latest Spanish adj
vices. This report states that the Spanish
cruisers Reina Maria Christiana and Cas-
tilla were totally burned UP after being set
On fire by bombs from the enemy's (Amer-
ican) ships. Two smaller ships, the dis
patch states, were sunk in order to avoid
falling into the hands of the enemy. Other
Spanish ships were half destroyed and took
refuge in Bakers bay.
The British embassy has received no re-
ports of any character as to the Manila bat
tie, SO that there is no basis for the state
ment that the State Department has been
informed by British officials that Manila
has surrendered to Commodore Dewey.
In the absence of specific advices from
Manila, members of the diplomatic corps
are discussing with great interest the fu-
ture course of the United States toward
the Philippines. They do not doubt that
the islands will be occupied by the Amer
lean forces, If indeed the occupation has
not already occurred. The only question
men Commodore Dewey can spare from his
feet to make up a landing party sufficient
to hold Manila and other points when large
garrisons of Spanish forces are there.
It is the future of the Philippines,
however, which most interests the foreign
authorities here. AS to this, a leading
diplomatic official said it was unfortunate
at this juncture that the assertion was
made by leading men here that the Phil
ippines would be taken and held at least
until the war ended, when they might be
sold to Great Britain or Japan. He point
ed out that, while this course might be a
wise one in due time, yet its announcement
now only served to awaken European pow
ers at moment when 1t was needless and
impolitic to excite resentment in those
quarters. There was no principle Of inter-
national law, he said, which kept VIC
torious nation from enjoying the fruits of
warfare by holding territory gained in
battle.
he pointed out, was a new procedure,
quite apart from international law and
based upon only the strength of this
united action. But, he added significant
ly, united squadrons often make interna-
tional law.
The suggestion that Great Britain would
take the Philippines in exchange for the
Bermudas, and other British possessions
near this country, is not regarded as feas-
ible. 1t is pointed out that the Bermudas
and other British West Indian possessions,
have far greater prospective value to the
mother country than the Philippines ow-
ing to the command they will have of the
Nicaraguan Canal or other inter-oceanic
waterways between North and South
America. Such a canal would be high
way for the British commerce to and from
British India and it is said that the possess
sion of coaling stations and ports near
the canal are of far more concern to Eng
land than her remote lnsular possessions
in Asiatic waters. There has been no sug-
gestion as yet of Intervention from any
foreign source, although 1t Is felt that the
occupation of the Philippines is more likely
to develope a move in this direction than
any other step thus far taken.
The Latest Account
NEW YORK, May 3.--The Herald today
publishes the following dispatch from
Manila, dated Monday, S:25 a. M:
Commodore Dewey's squadron complete-
ly destroyed the Spanish feet in Manila
harbor early yesterday morning.
Three OF Admiral Montijos ships were
>@&