Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1898-05-13
AT MANILA.
Dewey Holds Key Though Not
in Actual Possession.
Flag of Truce Flies and People Allowed
to Freely Proceed.
Admiral Dewey Compliments Admra! Montcjo
on His Gallant Fight.

Il
against the British because it is be
lieVed that The t.smeraldo plotted the
Americans into the bay. 1t is feared
that the Spanish soldiers. who are un-
paid. Will attack the British factories.
The British gunboat Linnet brought
from Manila both the Spanish and
American mails. The Spanish authori-
ties and Admiral Dewey have been
equally courteous in permitting com
munication With the land and sanctions
ing the forwarding of letters and docu-
ments by any and all means which of
have made un their minds to hold out
to the last
They are in a position to give the
Americans a deal of trouble. There
are $4,000 Spanish soldiers in the gar
rson at Manila and 100000 volunteers
enrolled. Scores of coasting steamers
are imprisoned on the river Pasig.
which is blocked at the mouth by some
sunken schooners.
Mr.. Wildman. the American consul
here. tells me that according to his
dispatches. a flag of truce is dying over
Manila and the people are allowed to
proceed freely to from the ships in the
harhor. The Americans are on duty
i,rl14 10 no Is,
which endeavor to run the blockade
with feed supplies. The hospital is
supported by the Americans The
Spaniards are boasting that their big
battleship Pelayo is coming and will
demolsh the Americans in 10 minutes"
The Hong Kong correspondent of the
Times. Who arrived there on board the
British gunboat Linnet from Manila
says: II had a conversation with Adj
miral Monteio. who. recognizing the
superiority Of the American squadron
admitted that his chief object was to
lie fought in the Reina Maria Chris
tina till She was on fire fore ana aft
and had - killed. on the advice Of his
flag lieutenant, he transferred his dag
TO the Isle dc Cuba. Eventually, af-
ter 214 hours fighting, he gave the
signal to scuttle and abandon her.
Commodore Dewey ceased fire and
asked permission If the forts to dos
tror ihe burning ships. Admiral
Montejo replied; The ships are at your
mercy; do as You like" The An1cri-
can FIRE was then resumed till the
Spanish squadron was completely an
affiliated.
The captain Of the Boston who car
ricd Inc flag of truce. said: You
comIattcd Us with four very bad ships,
not warshins. We have never seen b.
fore Drawer fighting under such un-
/ equal conditions. II is great pity you
exposed your lives on vessels not tit
for fighting"
Commodore Dewey sent a message to
pleasure in clasping your hand and
offering my congratulations on the
gallant manner in which you fought
Admiral Montcjo attributed the re-
sponsiblity of his defeat to the govern
ment in Madrid. lie had only obsolete
vessels. though he had requisitioned
the government for ships. He had no
torpedoes except some which he him
self had constructed out of ineffective
material. His original intention was to
remain at Srbic and offer battle; but
he returned to Cavite because the forts
were inadequate.
During the bombardment Of CaVite
arsenal. Commodore Dewey suspended
fire at the request of the Spanards t.
allow the women and children TO be
removed to place of safety.
Il witnessed the second lombard
ment The Americans We're admirably
handled. The rebels looted Cavite i'm
mediately the Spaniards flying to Ma
Mia and encounters with the rebels
were frequent in the suburbs. When
landed. May >. l found the city panic
stricken and the shops remained closed
for three days.
Grinding that an armistice had been
agreed upon many civilians returned
The run on the Spanish bank Was
checked by the Hong Kong and Char-
tered I;ank opening to negotiate Span
ish notes. The position of the blltlsh
section of the community was precarl-
Gus. owing to the scattered position Oh
their houses Food was scarce ana al
famine prices: the soldiers had re-
mained unpaid for several weeks ana
iOoting was feared.
con Friday before the bombardment'
the steamer Gulf of Mataban lett Tor
Sinea pore and London with spanish
and English women and children on
board: but many English families still