The daily morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven, Conn.) 1894-1907, 1898-05-02
SHIPS BURNED AND SUNK
THE SPANISH FLAGSHIP REINA
MARIA CHRISTINA LOST,


Admiral Montojo Transfers His Flag to
the Isla De Cuba-The Don Juan De
mander KilIed-Other Ships Damaged
and Some Sunk to Save Them Failing
Into the Hands of the Enemy-The Loss
of Life on the Spanish Side is Reported
to be Large-American Forces Said
as Landing on One Side of the Bay-Two
engagements Reported-No Advices
Whatever Concerning the Loss to Ameri-
can Ships.
Madrid, May 1-6:20 p. m.-Advices
from Manila say that the American
squadron under Commodore Dewey ap-
peared off the bay of Manila at five
o'clock this morning and opened
strong cannonade against the Spanish
squadron and forts protecting the har-
Dor.
The Spanish second-class cruiser Don
Juan de Austria was severely damaged
and her commander was killed. An
other Spanish vessel was burned. The
american squadron retired, having also
sustained severe damage.
A second naval enga cement followed,
in which the American squadron again
suffered considerable loss and the Span
ish warships Mindanco and Ulloa were
slightly damaged
Madrid, May 1--Midnight.--An official
telegram received at a later hour from
the governor general of the Philippines
says: admiral Montojo has transfer
red his flag to the cruiser IsIa de Cuba
from cruiser Reina Maria Christina.
The Reina Maria Christina was COM
pletely burned, as was also the cruiser
Castila, the other ships having to retire
from the combat and some being sunk
to avoid their falling into the hands of
the enemy"
Ell Heraldo de Madrid says that Ad-
miral Montojo changed his f1rgship dur
ing the engagement or between the two
encounters in order to better direct the
manoeuvres. In this way he escaped
the fate Of the commander of the Don
Juan de Austria.
The second engagement, according to
Ell Hera1do, was apparently begun by
the Americans after landing their
aJ hn cid nF IA
In the latter engagement the Spanish
cruisers Mindano and Ulloa suffered
heavily. Ministers speak of SERIOUS
but honorable losses
Madrid, May 1.--9 p. m.-The news
from the Philippines has produced
greatly increased enthusiasm especial
ly in view of the fact that the Ameri-
can squadron was obliged to retreat.
Notwithstanding the severe damage
the Spanish ships sustained, naval Off
GERS here consider that further opera
tions by the American squadron will
be conducted under great difficulty, ow-.
ing to their having no base where they
could repair and re-coa1 or obtain fresh
supplied of ammunition.
Another account says the Mindano
and Ulluoa were severely damaged in
the second engagement.
Madrid, May 1.-10 p. m.-Admiral
Bermejo Joined the cabinet council this
evening and informed his colleagues
that the Spanish forces had gained a.
victory in the Philippines. He asserted
that he found difficulty in restraining
his joyful emotions.
The official dispatch does not mention
the destruction of any American YES
sci, although it says that the United
States squadron finally cast anchor in
the bay behind the foreign merchant
men.
Madrid, May Is p. m.-The follow
ing is the text of the official dispatch
from the governor general of the Phil
ippines to the minister of war, Lieuten-
ant General Correa, as to the engage
ment off Manila:
Last night, April 30, the batteries at
the entrance to the fort announced the
arrival of the enemy's squadron, fore
ing a passage under the obscurity of
the night. At daybreak the enemy
took up positions, opening with a
strong fire against Fort Cavite and the
arsenal.
"Our fleet engaged the enemy in a
brilliant combat, protected by the Cav
ite and Manila forts. They obliged the
enemy, with heavy loss, to manoeuvre
repeatedly. At o'clock the American
squadron took refuge behind the for