The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-06-05
sinking OF the Collier Merrimac, as
Reported to Madrid, Regarded as
Great Naval Success.
ADMIRAL CERVERA PRAISED
FOR JUMPING INTO THE WATER AND
SAVING SEVERAL AMERICANS.
of Santiago de Cuba" Con-
graduated by the Queen Regent
Action of the Deputies.

the sinking of the Merrimac in the channel
leading into the harbor of Santiago de Cuba
yesterday says: 1.-Two American ironclads
were seriously damaged during the engage
ment." The Spanards also describe the af-
fair brilliant Spanish victory"
The version of the sinking of the Merri-
mac which has reached the minister of ma
rine here, Captain Aunon, from Santiago,
is as follows: "A Spanish vessel in front of
Santiago has sunk American auxiliary
cruiser. All the members of the crew of the
latter have been imprisoned. The rest of
the enemy's squadron Immediately retired"
1t is officially announced here that the
Spanish government has received further
dispatches regarding the alleged victory of
the Spaniards at Santiago de Cuba, but that
they will not be published until they have
been communicated to the Queen Regent.
In the meanwhile the report has been cir
culated that the Spaniards have captured
numerous Americans"
2 p. m.-Thc minister of marine, Captain
Aunon, went to the palace at noon to-day
and read to the Queen Regent an official
dispatch on the subject of the recent fight
at Santiago de Cuba, the text of which is
as follows: AT 3 o'clock on Friday morning
one of the enennys large cruisers and an
auxiliary cruiser attempted to force an en-
trance into the harbor of Santiago de Cuba.
They surprised thetscouts guarding the en-
trance, but the artillery of Fort MORO, the
guns of the cruiser Reina Mercedes, bat
terry from the Reina Mercedes which had
been placed in the Socapa fort, a torpedo
boat destroyer and a torpedo boat opened
fire on the enemy. The American cruiser,
the Merrimac, was sunk by our vessels and
torpedoes and the large American cruiser
was repulsed at the entrance to the chan
mel. The Reina Mercedes captured one
lieutenant and seven sailors of the Merri-
mac. The fate of the rest of the crew is
not known" The official dispatch adds that
twenty American ships are now before
Santiago de Cuba.
The Queen Regent, 1t is announced here.
has ordered that a message of congratula-
ton be telegraphed to the defenders of
Santiago de Cuba
p. m.-The minister of marine later in
the day said the wreck of the Merrimac
would not interfere with the navigation at
the entrance of the harbor, and he added
that the coal on board the Merrimac can
be recovered and used by the Spaniards.
In the Chamber of Deputies, to-day, Senior
Silvela, the Conservative leader, congrat-
ulated the government upon the good news
from Santiago de Cuba" and Senior Sal
meron, the Republican leader, proposed
that the congratulations of the house be
sent to the Spanish naval and military lead
ers in Cuba. The motion was carried
D. m.-Great enthusiasm prevails in this
city over the Spanish reports of the recent
engagement at Santiago de Cuba. Premier
Sagasta and Captain Aunon, the minister of
marine, upon leaving the palace after in
forming the Queen Regent of the affair."
told the Re 'sentatives of the newspapers
here that II object Of the Americans was
not to force, but to block, the entrance of
the channel. Admiral Cervera, they alleged
was aware of the intentions of the Amer
leans and ordered part of his squadron out
side to defend the entrance The official
dispatch from Santiago de Cuba also said
that when the Merrimac sank Admiral Ger
vera, who was on board of a Spanish war
ship near by, entered a small boat and per
sonally saved the survivors who were swim
The people of Madrid consider Santiago
de Cuba impregnable, basing their belief on
the fact that the defenses of that place were
constructed by the celebrated artillery ex-
pert OrdOneZ.
p. MN the chamber Senior Bores asked
the government what steps had been taken
to defend the Philippines and preserve them
to Spain He declared that the motive for
his Interpolation was patriotic desire that
the Philippines should not be left TO defend
themselves He was astonished, he de-
cclared, that nothing was known of
Der of dispatches that had passed be-
tween the government and General August,
the governor general of the Philippines.
Neither could he understand why Lieut.
General Correa the minister of war, had
not yet sent reinforcements, 'for the time
has come to avenge the Cavite disaster"
The chamber then adjourned.
p. ma dispatch from Havana to Ell
Heraldo says the government has resolved
to work the coal mine discovered at GUIANA
jay in order to secure a supply of coal for
the Spanish naval vessels, and has also sent
a circular to the foreign consuls, request
ing them to inform their countrymen that
food stuffs are free of duty and command
high prices in Cuba.