The Mena star., 1898-05-11

eight-inchers. Soon our other vessels were equally hard at work and we could see that our smells were making Cavite harbor hotter for the Spaniards than they had made the ap- proach for us. Protected by their shore bat teries and made safe from close attack by shall low water the Spaniards were in a strong posi- .lon They put up gallant fight The Span lsn snipS were sailing back and forth behind the Castilla and their fire too, was hot One shot struck the Baltimore and passed clean through her, fortunately hitting no one An other ripped her up the main deck disabled a slx-lnch gun and exploded a box of three pounder ammunition, wounding eight men
 Closer to the Enemy's Guns
 After having made four runs along the Span lsh line, finding the chart incorrect, Lieut. Cal kins, the Oympia's navigator, told the com modore he believed he could take the ship near CT the enemy, with lead going to watch the depth of water. The flagship started over the course for the fifth time running within 2 900 yards of the Spanish vessels. At this range even six-pounders were effective and the storm of shells poured upon the unfortunate Span- lsh began to show marked results Three of the enemy's vessels were seen burning and their fire slaclened
 Stopped Battle for Breakfast.
 On finishing this run Commodore Dewey de- cided to give the men breakfast as they had been at the guns two hours with only one cup Of coffee to sustain them. Action ceased tenn porarily at 7:35, the other ships passing the flagship and cheering Justify. Our ships re- mained beyond range of the enemy guns until lO:SO when the signal for close action again went up The Baltimore had the place of honor In the lead with the flagship following and the other ships as before. The Baltimore began firing at the Spanish ships and batteries at ll:l6 o'clock, making series of hits as if at target nractice
 White Flag the Arsenal
 Other ships were also doing their duty, and soon not one red and yellow flag remained on a ship or battery on the coast The Spanish flagship and the Castilla had long been burning hercely and the last vessel to be abandoned was the Don Antonio de Ullna which lurched over and sank Then the Spanish flag on the arsenal stall was hauled down and at l2:3O o'clock white flag was hoisted there
 signal was made to the Petrel to destroy all the vessels in the inner harbor, and Lieut. Hughes with an armed boats crew, set fire to the Den Juan de Austria. Marquis Duero, the .sla de Caoa and the Correo The large trans port Manila and many others and small craft fell into our hands
 Not Ship Left to the Enemy.
 Capture or destroy Spanish squadron" were Deweys orders Never were instructions more efectually carried out Within seven hours after arriving the scene of action nothing remained to be done
 Later Estimate of the Loss
 LONDON, May 9.-The Hong Kong correspondent of the Daily Mail gives the following additional details:
 There was an act of treachery on the part of Spanish ship which lowered her flag. and then fired at boats crew sent to take posses sion of her. She did not hit the boat but our hr,wa a She went to the bottom with all on board. Sev- eral vessels close in shore behavea in the same way and shared the same fate.
 The Spaniards had fought to their last gasp and now surrendered They had been announc- ing that the Americans would kill everyone in Cavite. and when we landed long procession Of priests and Sisters of Mercy met the boat from the Petrel and begged our men not to in- jure the wounded in the hospitals. As mat ter of fact the Americans rescued some 200 Spaniards and sent them ashore.
 All the Spanish vessels are destroyed. with 1000 men. The Spanish estimates gives their loss as l.0JO killed and wounded In the Reina Maria Christina 200 men are believed to have been killed or drowned
 The Governor Generals Reuort.
 MADRID, May An official dispatch from Gen. Augusti, governor general of the Philippines, sent by way of La Buan, says:
 The enemy seized Cavite and the arsenal. ow- ing to the destruction of the Spanish squadron. and established close blockade. It is said that, at the request of the consuls the enemy will not Lombard the fort provided do not open fire on the anemys squadron, which is out of range of our guns Therefore, cannot fire un- til they come nearer. thousand soldiers arrived here yesterday evening from our de- stroyed squadron the losses of which number SIS
 Dewey's Modest Messages.
 WASHINGTON, May 7.-The navy de- partment to-day received two brief messages from Dewey, as follows:
 MANILA, May I-Squadron arrived at Man fla at day break this morning. Immediately engaged the enemy and destroyed the fol- lowing Spanish vessels: Reina Christina Castilla, Don Antonio de Ulloa, Isla de Luzon Isla de Cuba, General Lego, Marques de Duero Correo, Velasca, Isla de Mndanao a transport and water battery at Cavite. The squadron is uninjured and only few men are slightly wounded Only means of telegraphing is to American consul at Hong Kong. shall com municate with him. DEWEY
 CAvITE May Al have taken possession of the naval station at Cavite, on the Philippine islands Have destroyed the Notifications at bay entrance, paroling garrison. control the bay completely and can take the city at any time. The squadron is in excellent health and spirits Spanish loss not fully known, but very heavy-150 killed, including the captain of Reina Christina I am assisting in protect ing Spanish sick and wounded. Two hundred and fifty sick and wounded in hospital within our lines Much excitement at Manila Will protect foreign residents DEWEY.
 Dewey Made ,sn Admiral
 Following this Secretary Long gave out his reply to Dewey, which has been cahled by direction of the presi- dent, as follows: