Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1898-08-18
TxE zafIao aepoR1s.
But Brings, 30 Far, msasrs Reports IRON
Battle o. 0anila.

Hong Kong. Aug. 1.-THE American
collier Zafiro from Manila, which ar
rived here. yesterday. is anchored in
Junk Bay. She left Manila on. the
18th. A typhoon Is raging and 1t is
impossible to land the mails with fur
Their details of the battle of Manila.
1t is learned, however. from an
American naval officer that when Adj
miral Dewey. Aug s. demanded the
surrender of Manila within 48 hours
the Spanish Commander replied that.
the insurgent being outside the walls
he had no safe place for the women
and children who were in the city and
asked for "a hours delay. This Adj
miral Dewey granted.
At the expiration of the specified
time Admiral Dewey and Gen Merritt
consulted and decided to postpone the
attack.
On Aug. 13 the American squadron
formed in line of Manila. The Olym-
pia fired the first shot at the Malate
forts. The shots Of the Americans
fell short and some time was occupied
in finding the range. The the Callao,
one Of the gunboats captured by Ad-
miral Dewey from the Spaniards. got
under the fort and sent in hot fire.
Great destruction was done with the
rapid fire guns. The fort failed to re-
ply but fired upon the American troops
that were storming the Spanish
trenches. The large American ships
were ordered to cease firing after an
hours work owing to the failure Of the
fort to respond.
The fighting in the trenches were
most fierce. Fifteen minutes after the
Spaniards We're driven to the second
line of defences they were forced TO re-
treat to the walled city, where. seeing
the uselessness of resistance, they sur
rendered and soon afterwards white
flag was hoisted over Manila.
The Belgian consul al Manila. NJ.
Andre. boarded the Olympia and re-
turned with an American lieutenant to
the Spanish military governor. who
agreed to surrender. Gen. Merritt pro-
ceeded to the palace at $3.50 and there
found the Spaniards formed in line.
The troops surrendered their arms,
but the officers were permitted to re-
tain their swords.
The American loss is reported to be
SIX or elSHt killed, anu ~ WOuHueu
The Spanish loss was considerable. but
the exact number is not obtainable.
The trenches were filed with badly
wounded Spaniards.
Manila is now under martial law,
with Gen. Merritt as military governor
The California Red Cross Society rem
dered valuable aid to the sick and
wounded. Perfect order prevailed in
Manila on the evening of Aug. IL. AS
the Americans marched in guards We're
placed around the house of all foreign
ers in order to prevent their being
looted.
The insurgents were not allowed to
take part in the attack upon the city.
but We're kept in the rear Of the Amer
icnns In order to prevent bloodshed
they We're forbidden to enter the city
after the surrender unless they We're
unarmed.
Before the surrender the Spaniards
burned the transport Cebu in the Pasig
river. 1t is supposed that Admiral
Dewey was unaware of the departure
of Gen. Augustn.
The Zafiro's officers first, heard the
news of the governor generals flight
on their arrival here.o; Gen. Augustin' 8
escape is considered to have been pre-
arranged. as he brought with him his
family and suite.