Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1898-05-04
A GLORIOUS VICTORY.
Commodore Dewey Sinks and Burns
Spanish Fleet Off the
Philippines.
SPANS CRUSHING DEFEAT.
Loss Of Life Heavy on the Spanish
Side--Spec tacuIar Naval
Battle,

Washington, D. c., May 2.-The first
naval battle Of the war mas been fought
and it is an overwhelming victory for the
Stars and Stripes.
Acting Rear Admiral Dewey, III COM
mand Of the Pacific squadron, has admin
istered a crushing blow to the Spanish
feet defending Manila and it is probably
annihilated.
The news reports are solely from Span
ish sources, and are doubtless made as
favorable as possible to the enemy. But
even their reports admit that the largest
Spanish warship, the Reina Christina
has been completely burned, as was also
the Castillo, the next in importance of
the Spanish fleet: that several other yes
sells in the Spanish squadron were sunk
to prevent them falling into Commander
DeWey'S hands; that the commander Of
the Reina Christina was killed and that
the Spanish Admiral Montejo only es
capped the same fate by the lucky trans
fer of his flag to another ship, before the
Christina went down.
Spanish Loss Very Heavy.
Under these circumstances the Spanish
must have suffered very great loss of life,
but the details are withheld. Spain con-
trolling the only cable, we have received
only such information as she is reluctant
" willing to dole out in the face of such
q disaster.
Not an American ship was lost, but
some of them, it is reported, suffered
heavy loss.
The United States fleet has effected
landing On the west side of the bay
1t is probable Commander Dewey viii
now make a combined attack on Manila
by land and sea, having effected juno
ture with the insurgents.
II 1,e,, ~, ,1,o. L.
boat to Hong Kong with news of the
battle, and the first details will probably
come from that point.
Spanish Commander Killed.
Madrid, May 1.-Advices from Manila
say that the American squadron under
Commodore Dewey appeared off the Bay
of Manila at D O'Clock last night and
opened Il strong cannOnade against the
Spanish squadron and forts protecting the
harbor.
The Spanish second-class cruiser Don
Juan de Austria was severely damaged
and her commander was killed. Another
Spanish vessel was burned.
The American squadron retired, having
also sustained severe damage.
A second naval engagement followed in
which the American squadron again suf-
fered considerable loss and the Spanish
Warships Mindanao and U!lOa were
slightly damaged.
The Official Dispatch.
The following is the text of the official
dispatch from the governor general of the
Philippines to the minister of war, Lieut.
Gen. Correa, as to the engagement off
Manila:
Last night, April 80, the batteries at
the entrance to the fort announced the
arrival of the enemy's squadron, forcing
a passage under the Obscurity of the
night. At daybreak the enemy took up
positions, opening with strong fire
against Fort Cavite and the arsenal.
Our fleet engaged the enemy in a bril-
liant combat protected by the Cavite and
Manila forts. They obliged the enemy
with heavy loss to maneuver repeatedly.
At o'clock the American squadron took
refuge behind the foreign merchant ship
ping on the east side Of the bay.
spain's Ships Burn.
"Our fleet. considering the enemy's SUI
periOrity, naturally suffered severe loss.
The Maria Christina is on fire and an
other ship. believed to be the Don Juan
le Austria, was blown up.
There was considerable loss of life.
Capt. CadarZo, commanding the Maria
Christina, is among the killed | cannot
bow give further details. The spirit Of
The army, navy and volunteers is excel
ent."
Sunk to Escape the Enemy.
Midnight-An official telegram received
1t late hour from the encouragement
# the Philippines says: admiral
Nontejo has transferred his flag to the
ruiser Isla de Cuba from the cruiser
Reina Maria Christina. The Christina
vas completely burned, as was also the
cruiser Castillo, the other ships having to
'etire from the combat and some being
Junk to avoid their falling into the hands
If the enemy
Ell Heraldo says Montejo changed his
flagship during the engagement or be-
:Ween the two encounters the better to
direct the maneuvers. Thus he escaped
The fate of Christmas commander.
DEWEY,S VICT0Rv