The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1898-05-09

Hong Kong. May Sowing TO the
fact that the cable between this port
and the Philippines was not in work.
ing order, having been cut. IL Is said,
some distance from the capital Of the
island, there has been delay in obtain-
ing a detailed account Of the battle,
and the facts in the case were only
available when the United States gun
boat Hugh McCulloch arrived here yes
terday. and even then the tremendous
pressure of business suddenly thrown
upon the cable company necessarily
made the earlier account of the engage
ment somewhat brief.
Commodore Dewey's orders were to
capture or destroy the Spanish fleet and
never were instructions executed in SO
complete a fashion. At the end OF
seven hours there was absolutely moth
ing left of the Spanish fleet but a few
ref.cs. TIE American commander had
most skillfuliy arranged every detail
OF the action and even the apparently
most insignificant features were car
ried out with perfect punctuality and
on railroad timetable order. At the
end OF the action Commodre Dewey an
chored his feet in the bay before Ma
Mia and sent a message To Governor
General August. announcing the inau-
guration of the blockade and adding
that IL a shot was fired against his
ships he would destroy every battery
about Manila.
The position occupied by the Span
isrds. the support which their ships re-
ceived from the land batteries and the
big guns they had ashore gave them
an enormous advantage. Therefore,
iards lost over 900 men in killed and
wounded that all their naval arsenal at
Cavite was also destroyed with its de-
fenses. 1t will become apparent that the
victory of the American commodore Is
one CT the most complete and wonder
full achievements in the history of naval
warfare. Not a man on board the
American fleet was killed. not ship
was damaged TO any extent. and only
the Baltimore.
This great achievement Is quite as
much due to the generalship OF Commo-
dore Dewey as to.the fact that American
gunners, ships and guns are superior
to any afioat anywhere. Great credit
must also be given to the fullest ex-
tent to the officers under Commodore
Dewey. for. to man. they seconded
their gallant commander in every way
possible and thus helped him win the
laurels which are justly his.
When the squadron left here IL
touched first at a point in the Philip
pines near Bolinao. as Commodore
Dewey wished the insurgent agents to
disembark there 10 ascertain the
strength and disposition of the insur-
gent forces. arrange to prevent needless
bloodshed and inform the insurgents OF
his intention to change the government
of the Philippine islands. the commo-
dore strongly objecting to giving the
rebels a chance 10 commit excesSes.
The insurgent leaders refused to dis
embark under any consideration. and
the American ships coasted in search OF
the Spanish ships. but failed TO md
them. Commodore Dewey arrived at
Subig bay. about 30 miles north of Ma
Mia bay. on Saturday. April so. and sent
the Baltimore and Concord to recon-
noiter the enemy. They found no
Spanish ships at the entrance or the
bay. and so Commodore Dewey decided
TO risk the mines and proceed that same
night after dark into the bay of Ma
Mia. which he did.
The order OF battle taken up by the
Spaniards was with all the small craft
inside the stone and timber break
waters of Cavite harbor. The larger
ships of Spain cruised of Cavite and
Manila. The American fleet entered
Manila bay on saturday night with the
greatest OF ease. The Spaniards had
not established a patrol and there were
no searchlights at the entrance or the
bay. In fact. the American ships would
probably have passed inside the bay
without any challenge had IL not been
that some sparks flew up from the Nc
Culloch's funnel Thereupon few
shots were exchanged with the batter
les on Corregidor island. but the fieet
did not slow down and soon took up
position near Cavite awaiting dawn In
order to commence hostilities-
The early hours OF the morning re-
ysaled the opposing ships 20 each other
and the spanish flagship opened fire. Its
action was followed by some OF the
larger Spanish warships. and then the
Cavite forts opened up and the smaller
Spanish ships brought their guns into
play.