The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1898-05-05
1898.

Christina, is among the killed. / cannot
now give further details. The spirit of the
army, navy, and volunteers is excellent" :"
Midnight. An official telegram received
the Philippines says: Admiral Monteio
has transferred his flag to the cruiser Isla
de Cuba from the cruiser Reina Maria
Christina. The Reina Maria Christina was
completely burned, as was also the
cruiser Castillo, the other ships having to
retire from the combat, and some being
sunk TO avoid their falling into the hands
of the enemy"
AS all this news came from Spanish
sources it was taken to mean that our
victory had been overwhe elmingly complete,
and Washington went into a transport of
Joy Everybody, from the President down
to the smallest newsboy, was exultant and
happy.
MONDAY, MAY 2.
Direct communication with Manila
ceased and all news came from round
about ways. 1t will take three days for
Admiral Dewey to send a boat to Hong
Kong. The Governor OF the Straits Settle
ments telegraphed the British Home Office
that after two hours fighting the Ameri-
cans had completely annihilated the Span
ish feet 1t was thought one American
vessel was disabled.
Teiegrams from Paris say that 400 Span
iaTds were killed.
A dispatch to London said that Commo-
dore Dewey requested the British Consul,
f. II. Rawson-W Walker, to convey mes
sage to the Spanish Governor General
demanding the surrender OF all the tor
pedoes and guns at Manila, and the
possession of the cable offices, saying
that unless these terms were complied
with he would proceed to lombard the
city. The first Of the cable messages
ends with the statement that the Span
81 IL VIII n ty1,
British Consul and the telegraph COM
pany's agent, and that, pending a de-
cision being arrived at, the cables were
not permitted to handle messages.
The second cable dispatch received by
the Colonial Office announced that the
surrender the tOrpedoes, guns, and cable
offices, and that he had prevented the
agent of the telegraph company from con-
ferring with Commodore Dewey.
A Madrid dispatch to London said that it
was believed in Madrid that the Govern
ment has already cabled Capt:
August authority to comply with the de
mand, no other course being open. Grave
events may follow public knowledge OF this
compliance.
The people of Madrid, who have been
made to believe that Manila had been
sufficiently armed for the conflict, were so
excited that it was necessary to put the
troops.
A later dispatch from London said: The
cardinal fact is that Commodore Dewey is
now in possession of Manila Bay and can
certainly take possession OF Corregidor
Island, even if he finds difficulty in effect
ually capturing Manila itself, owing to the
absence Of necessary landing force.
Having thus secured naval base, he Will
have no difficulty in securing supplies OF
coal"
Germany at once hurried three warships
to Manila, though there are not over 100
Germans in the city.
AT the White House the President SAD
that no threats of intervention would be al
lowed to change our plans III regard to the
Philippines, but that we should hold them
as long as we felt it necessary to do So
Plans were considered for sending strong
force of Pacific Coast volunteers from San
Francisco, under Gen. Merritt, to COmmO-
dofe Dewey While this was not definitely
decided upon, it is felt that it will be before
the end of the week.
There is evidence that our fighting