The herald., 1898-05-09
DfTAILSOf The BATTLE
CABLED BY CORRESPONDENTS
AT HONG KONG
SPANIARDS WERE SURPRISED
But Fought With All the Treacherous
Bravery Which Is Typical Of
the Race

bravery Wu1Cu AS 4yPACdA VI
the Race
Associated Press Special Wire
LONDON, May 9.-The Hong Kong cor
respondent Of the Times, describing the
fight at Manila, says: 1.-The cable from the
bay to Manila having been cut by the reb-
els, the city was takerl by surprise by the
appearance of the American fleet. The
Spanish flagship, having gotten up steam
advanced out Of line to meet the Olympia.
Commodore Dewey had issued an order for
his fleet to concentrate it's guns on the
Spanish flagship, and the signal was obeyed
with telling effect. The flagship retired.
The Olympia fired an S-inch SHALL which
raked the Reina Maria Christina through
out her length, and caused her boilers to
explode, killing her captain and sixty men,
She drifted away on fire.
Altogether 14O men were killed, and
about the same number were wounded.
Admiral Montijo transferred his flag to the
Castillo, which was sunk shortly afterward
by storm of shot, At quarter of eight
the Olympia signaled to cease firing. The
Americans then breakfasted, having been
at quarters since o'clock the previous
night.
A conference of captains was held. and it
was found that no one had been killed, but
that several had been slightly wounded
by the splinters. Two torpedo launches
attacked the Olympia. The shells from
her big guns were unable to strike so small
an object, but a sail of six-pound shells
sank the leading launch, all on board be-
ing killed. The other launch was beached
with 12-shot hols, and the boat was covered
with blood
Half an hour after noon, white flag
was hoisted at Cavite, and the Spanish
crews deserted their ships, taking away
their dead. Admiral Montijo fled to Ma
Mia with his two aidea de- camp.
The Hong Kong correspondent of the
Daily Mail gives the following additional
details:
"There was an act of treachery on the
part of a Spanish ship, which lowered her
flag, and then fired at boats crew sent
to take possession of her. She did not hit
the boat, but our guns were turned on her
and tore her to pieces. She went to the
bottom with all on board. Several vessels
close in shore behaved in the same way
and shared her fate.
"The Spaniards had fought to their last
gasp, and now surrendered. They had
been announcing that the Americans would
kill every one in Cavite, and when we land
ed long procession of priests and sisters
of mercy met the boat from the Petrol and
begged our men not to injure the wounded
in the hospitals. AS matter Of fact, the
Americans rescued some two hundred
Spaniards and sent them ashore. All the
Spanish vessels are destroyed, with 1000
men. The Spanish estimate gives the loss
as 1000 killed and wounded. In the Reina
Maria Christina two hundred men are be-
lieved to have been killed or drowned.
1.-The officers of the gunboat McCulloch,
with whom I conversed today, bear testi-
mony to the bravery of the Spaniards.
"They particularly praised the gallant
crew of the Castillo, who they describe as
the 'bravest men ever sacrificed in battle
"They consider the result of the fight a
remarkable instance of the advantage of
long range firing to the side which is better
in artillery and craftsmanship.
"Private papers captured at Cavite show
that it was, intended that the Spanish fleet
should engage the Americans outside the
of the change of plans. My
informant told me landing was not ef-
fected at Manila, where food is scarce, as
Commodore Dewey could not undertake
any responsibility. Still do not think there
is any danger of the insurgents massacre
ing the population at Manila. If they be-
gan to do so, Commodore Dewey would
land men and stop them.
1.-THE American commander has wired
for instruction regarding Manila, not car
ing to take the city on his own RESPONSE
bility. Supplies are being stopped by the
insurgents at Manila and Cavite, where
the hospital has been plundered for food.
The Americans landed supplies for the
Spanish wounded. The Olympia was hit
fourteen times during the engagement"
Further particulars from the special dis
patches from Hong Kong show that the
Spanish vessels, not having got up steam,
fought at a great disadvantage, compared
with the mobility of Commodore Dewey s
squadron. The latter arrived at the en-
trance of the bay in bright moonlight, and
the attack was therefore postponed for a
few hours till the conditions were more
favorable. One American cruiser returned
the fire from the fort on entering, but was
ordered to desist by the flagship, Commo-
dore Dewey having the weightier business
of finding tn Spanish fleet in hand
In the absence of breeze when the bat
tie begun, the ships were soon surrounded
with smoke. making 1t momentarily hard
to Judge exactly how the fight was going.
When it was over the surviving Spaniards
lost no time in removing themselves and
their dead from the rapidly burning hulks,
leaving behind all their personal property
and valuables
The only loss on the American vessels
was the chief engineer of the McCulloch,
who died of heat and apoplexy as the
squadron was entering the harbor He
was buried at sea.
When the McCulloch left Manila the forts
were maintaining a desoltory but ineffec-
tive fire on the squadron. Meantime the
insurgents, acting in cooperation with the
American fleet, had surrounded Manila on
the land side, and were exchanging a brisk
fire with the Spanish garrison. The city
is said to be starving.
Praises for Dewey
LONDON, May 9.-The comment on the
battle at Manila, as the details come in, is
universally fattering to Commodore
Dewey Of the American navy.
The Times says: 1.-The destruction of the
Spa nish fleet was complete as connnIete a