The leader., 1898-05-04

ron OF Ine nlttu kpNaVtSs
Dewey commanding, today engaged
and completely defeated the Asiatic
squadron of Spain in the harbor of Ma
Mia, in the Philippine Islands.
All the news of the great naval battle
| thus far received is coming from Span
ish sources. This shows conclusively
| that Manila has not yet been taken by
the American forces, and that the cable
lines are still under the control of Spain.
From the fact that even the advices
| received from Madrid show that the
American warships Jared the best, there
is hardly any doubt that when complete
details are obtainable it will be learned
that it was crushing defeat for Spain.
Reports of the battle thus far are
coming in piece-meal.
During the two engagements that
took place Commodore Montejo, COM
manding the Spanish fleet, lost three of
his largest ships His flagship, the ar
mored cruiser Maria Reina Christina,
and the armored cruiser Castillo were
burned, and the cruiser Don Juan De
Austria was blown up. Several other
Spanish vessels were badly damaged.
Under the protection of the guns of
the Notifications, the Spanish warships
opened fire on the American fleet. For
several hours the harbor resounded
with the roar of guns, the crashing of
steel and timber, the shrieks and groans
Of the wounded. Thick clouds of
smoke at times almost obscured the OPP
posing fleets from each other.
Spaniard Blown Up.
A well directed shot reached the iron
cruiser Don Juan De Austria, a vessel of
LOO tons. A terrible explosion follow
ed and the ship was blown up.
All the time during the first engage
ment the American ships were under
way, their maneuvering being intended
to render the craftsmanship of the
Spanish gunners less effective.
There was heavy loss of life among
the Spanish. Capt, Cardase, command
ing the Maria Christina, was killed.
Commodore Montejo, commanding the
feet, shifted his flag from the Maria
Christina to the Isla De Cuba, a much
smaller steel-protected cruiser, just be-
fore the Christina sank.
The blowing up of the Don Juan De
Austria was attended by great loss of
life among the crew, her commander
also being killed.
Commodore Dewey's squadron, leav-
ing Subie Bay, few miles from Ma
Mia, about o'clock yesterday after
noon. proceeded toward Manila. Under
the cover of darkness he entered the
harbor of Manila, the batteries located
there announcing his arrival. Both
fleets lined up for battle about day
break about 5 o'clock-this morning.
The guns of the American warships be-
gan firing on the fortress of Cavite and
the arsenal of Manila.
The American squadron, about 9
o'clock, drew off to the east side of the
bay and took refuge behind some for
eign vessels. The ships had evidently
suffered considerable damage. After
they made some hasty repairs they re-
turned to the conflict. During this en-
gagement the guns of Cavite maintain
ed a steadier and stronger fire upon
Commodore Dewey's ships than in the
first encounter, but the American guns
were being used with telling effect.
Other Ships Lost.
AS the smoke lifted it was seen that
the flagship Maria Reina Christina was
on fire. The vessel was completely
burned. In the interval between the
two engagements Commodore Monteio
moved his flag from the Christina to the
smaller cruiser Isla De Cuba. To the
fact that he made this change he doubt
less owes his life.
The cruiser Castillo, next to the flag
ship, the largest and most powerful of
the Spanish squadron, was also burned.
The cruiser Don Antonio De Ulloa and
the Mindano were also badly damaged
in this encounter.
That the American squadron received
severe damage by the engagement can
not be doubted. Early reports had it
that five of Commodore Dewey's shirs
had been sunk. Later advices from
Madrid put the number at two. have
been unable to ascertain nothing more
definite than this, but l consider it
highly significant that the latest advices
l have received from Madrid and Lisbon
make no mention of any American ship
being destroyed.
There We're undoubtedly heavy losses
in men on both sides. One apparently
trustworthy report states that the
Spanish had 200 killed and 400 wounded.
Trustworthy details of the American
loss of life will hardly be obtainable
until Commodore Dewey has taken
Manila or has sent vessel with dis
patches to Hong Kong.
HOW THE STORY DEVELOPER,
Spanish Accounts of the Disaster to Their
Arms Unwind the Truth With
Customary SlOwness.
MADRID, May $50 p.m.-Advices
from Manila S,y fbof tho A,,,ar.o,,.