The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1898-05-09

Copyright. 1893. by the Associated Press)
HONG KONG, May s.-Among naval
men, military men and civilians, Europ-
cans and natives here to-day. there Is
only one subject OF discussion, the brill
liant, dashlng, annlh!lating victory OF
the American feet under Commodore
Dewey, over the Spanish fleet command.
ed by Admiral Montejo, in Manila Bay,
on Sunday last.
Owing to the fact that the cable be-
tween this port and the Philippine
Islands was not in working order, hay-
ing been cut; 1t was said, some distance.
from the capital Of the islands, there
has been delay in obtaining detailed
account Of the battle and facts In the
case were only available when the
United States Gunboat Hugh McCulloch
arrived here yesterday. and even then
the tremendous pressure OF business.
suddenly thrown upon the cable COM
pany. necessarily made the earlier ac-
counts OF the engagement somewhat
brief.
Commodore Dewey's orders were to
capture or destroy the Spanish fleet, and
never were Instructions executed in SO
complete fashion. At the end OF seven
hours there was absolutely nothing left
Of the Spanish feet but a few relics.
The American commander had most
sklfully arranged every detail of. the ac-s
ton, and even the apparently insignif-
cant features were carried out with per-
feet punctuallty and in railroad time
table order. -
At the end OF the action. Commodore
Dewey anchored his feet in the bay be-
fore Manila, and sent message to Gov
ernor-General Augusti announcing the
Inauguration OF the blockade, and add
Ing that II shot was fired against his
ships he would destroy every battery
about Manila
The position occupied by the Span
lards, the support which their ships re-
celved from the land batteries, and the
big guns they had ashore. gave them an
enormous advantage. Therefore, when
!. is considered that the Spaniards lost
over 600 men in killed and wounded, that
all their ships, amounting to about four
teen, were destroyed. and that their
naval arsenal at Cavite was also de-
s;royed. with its defences, 1t will become
apparent that the victory Of the Amer
!can commodore Is one OF the most COM
plete and wonderful achievements OF ma
va! warfare.
Notan American Killed.
Not man on board the American fleet
was killed. not ship was damaged to
any extent, and only six men were IN
Jured slightly, on board the Baltimore.
This grand achievement is quite us
much due to the generalship OF Commo-
doTe Deweyas to the fact that the Amer
'can Gunners, ships and guns are su-
peE'or to anything In the same line
aiioat anywhere. Credit must also be
given to the fullest extent to the officers
OF commodore Dewey, for. to man,
they seconded their gallant commander
IN every way possible, and thus helped
MN earn the laurels which are so Justly
his. ~ -, !. = ~.
When the squadron left here It touch
ea first at n point in the Philippine
Islands, near BolInao, as Commodore
Dewey wished the insurgent agents to
strength and disposition Of the Insur-
gent forces. arrange to prevent needless
oioodshed and inform the insurgents uf
his Intention to change the government
Gt the Philippine Islands, the commo-
core strongly object1ng to give the rebels
chancc 10 commit excesses. The insur-
gent Leaders. however. refused 10 disem-
uaFK under any consideration, and the
American G al t..t 4, 80 10.
scpah!sh ships, but failed to find them.
nnVn'aodore Dewey arrived at Sublg
pay, about thirty miles north of Manila,
w saturday, May 30, and sent the Bal
unore and Concord to reconnoiter the
.snefny. The found no Spanish ships at
sae entrance Of the bny. and so the COM
,no1oTe decided 10 risk the mines and
, proceed that same night after dark.
which he did.
lhe Spanlards had not established
pa'rol, and there were no search lights
a. me entrance Of the bay. In fact. tho
nHeflcan ships would probably. have
passed inside the bay without any chal-
,sns" mad It not been that some sparks
.Ds NEW UP from the McCulloch's funnel.
,a,n,ercupon a few. shots were exchanged
h mMh The batteries on Corrcgidor island,
to.,. 'ht meet dld not slow down. and soon
S 1ok up position near Cavlte, awaiting
e"wh nv, IN order to commence hogtilitles.
Inc carly hou,s OF the morning reveal
W. W.. ''te ~ opposing ships to each other, and
NV. oos Spaninah flagship opened fire. Her
Te,9n re. 3 was followed by some Of the lar
asI "hrships, and then the Cavite forts
o., o"siieu up, and the smaller Spanish ves-
't'' brought their guns into play.
Mines Exploded.
me American squadron, which had
we" led Into the bay and through the
s"'nnel wa by tho flagship Olympia, did
"o' reply, though the shells OF tho Span
.a'a" began 10 strike the water around
tvbn. tS,;F'n. but moved majestlcally. onward.
benrn, bv,, nearing Baker Bay q sudden up
n, 1Hnl C,.. OK water a short distance ahead
b.S Spympla showed that the spanlards
,"s aa exploded n mine or torpedo. This
' 'o'iowed by q second md similar cx-