The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1898-05-06
BATTLE WON AT MANILA.
Dewey Knows What He Was There
for and Does His Work.
FIRST FIGHT on THE WATER is OURS
Spanish Fleet Practically Destroyed
Right Under the Guns of the Forts.

All the News Genes from Madrid, But It
Is Significant al Defeat for the Dons-
Reina.Mari Christina and Castillo
Set on File and Other Spanish
Vessels Sunk-Washington
Rejoices Over the News.
Lisbon, May 2.-Reliable news is re-
ceived here that the Spanish feet was
completely defeated off Cavite.
Washington. May 2.-Washington was
rejoiced last right. Not since the dark
days of the great civil conflict of third
of a century ago have the eople of this
city been so profoundly moved by war
news as they were last evening. The
first battle OF the Hispano-American
war had been fought and victory lay
with Admiral Dewey's squadron under
the stars and stripes.
Official Report of the Engagement.
Madrid, May 1.-The following is the
text Of an official dispatch from the
governor general Of the Philippines to
the minister of war, Lieutenant Gen
eral Correa. as to the engagement off
Manila:
Last night, April 80, the batteries
at the entrance to the fort announced
the arrival of the enemy's squadron,
forcing a passage under the obscurity
of the night. At daybreak yesterday the
enemy took up positions, opening with
a strong fire against Fort Cavite and
the arsenal. Our fleet engaged the
enemy in a brilliant combat, protected
by the Cavite and Manila forts. They
obliged the enemy with heavy loss to
vancouver repeatedly. At 8 o'clock the
American squadron took refuge behind
the foreign merchant shipping on the
east side of the bay.
Spanish Vessel Blown Up.
Our feet, considering the enemy's
superiority, naturally suffered a severe
loss. The Maria Christina is on fire
and another ship, believed to be the
Don Juan de Austria, was blown up.
There was considerable loss Of life.
Captain Cadarzo, commanding the
Maria Christina, is among the killed. I
cannot now give further details. The
spirit OF the army. navy and volunteers
is excellent" At midnight Sunday an
official telegram said that Admiral
Montejo had transferred his flag to the
cruiser Isle de Cuba from the cruiser
Reina Maria Christina, which was
completely burned Another dispatch
says that the cruiser Castillo was also
burned and several other vessels sunk
to prevent their capture.
Bermejo Restraints His Joy.
A second engagement, according to
Ell Heraldo, was apparently begun by
the Americans after landing their
wounded on the west side of the bay.
In the latter engagement the Spanish
Mindano and Ulloa suffered heavily.
Ministers speak of serious, but honor
able losses"
Admiral Bermejo, minister of marine,
Joined the cabinet council last evening
and informed his colleagues that the
Spanish force had gained a victory in
the Philippines He asserted that he
found difficulty in restraining his joy
full emotions. The official dispatch
does not mention the destruction of any
American vessel.
United States Ships Engaged.
Washington, May 1.-The following
are the two fleets engaged at Manila:
The United States ships-Olympia first
class protected cruiser; speed, 81 knots;
battery, four S-inch rifles, ten 5-inch
rapid-fire guns, and twenty smaller
guns. Baltimore, second-class cruiser;
speed. 20.6 lnots: battery, four S-inch
and six C-iEch rifles, and fourteen other
guns. Boston, second-class; speed, Is
knots: battery, two S-inch and six 6-inch
rifles, and twelve other guns Raleigh,
second-class; speed, 10 knots; battery,
one 6-inch and ten 5-inch rapid-fire
rifles, with fourteen other guns. Con-
cord, thjrd-class: speed, II knots; bat
terry, six 6-inch rifles and nine other
guns. Petrol, fourth class; speed, IS
knots; battery, four 6-inch rifles and
seven other guns McCulloch, revenue
cutter; Nanshan, collier and Zafiro,
supply vessel
Strength of the Spanish Force.
The Spanish ships-Reina Marie
Christina; speed, II knots: battery,
six 6.2 inch Hontoria guns; two 81 inch
and three % inch rapid fire rifles; and
eight other guns. Castillo battery-5.9
inch Krupp rifles, two Az inch, two 3.3
inch, four 25 inch rapid fire, and two
machine guns Ve.asco, battery, three
SO inch Armstrong rifles, 81 insn Hon
torias, and two machine guns. Don
Antonio de Ulloa and Don Juan de
Austria; battery, AZ inch Hontorias, 3.2
inch rapid fire. two 1.5 inch. and two
machine guns. General Leo and Ell
Cano, gun vessels; speed 11.5 knots.
The General Lezo has two Hontoria
rifles Of Az inch caliber, one 3.5 inch, and
thirteen other guns; the Ell Cano, three
AZ inch guns, and four other guns.
Marques del Duero, dispatch boat; one
smooth bore 6.2 inch caliber. two Al
inch and one machine gun. Isla dc
Cuba and the Isle de Luzon, both
small gun boats, and carry four Al
IL. 49,