The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1898-05-07
A GLORIOUS VICTORY.
Commodore Dewey Sinks and Burn
Span sh Fleet Off the
Philippines.
SPAlE'S CRUSHING DEFEAT,
Loss OF Lite Heavy on tho spanst
Sioe-Spectacu'ar ar Navai
Battle.

Washington, D. c.. May 2.-Thc first
naval battle of the war has been fought
and 1t is an overwhelming victory for the
Stars and Stripes.
Acting Rear Admiral Dewey, in com
mand of the Pacific squadron, has admin
istercd a crushing blow to the Spanish
fleet defending Manila and it is probably
annihilated
The news reports are solely from Span
ish sources, and are doubtless mhde as
favorable "a possible to the enemy. But
even their reports admit that the largest
Spanish warship, the Reina Christina.
has been completely burned, as was also
the Castillo. the next i'll Importance of
the Spanish fleet; that several other YES
sells Ill the Spanish squadron were sunk
to prevent them falling into Commander
Dcweys hands; that the commander of
the Relna Christina was killed and that
the Spanish Admiral Montejo only cs-
capped the same fate by the lucky trans
fer of his flag to another ship, before the
Christina went down.
Spanish Loss Worry Heavy.
Under these circumstances the Spanish
must have suffered very great loss of life,
but the details are withheld. Spain con-
trolling the only cable, have received
only such information as she is reluctant
Al
q disaster.
Not an American ship was lost. but
some of them, 1t is reported, suffered
heavy loss.
The United States feet has effected
landing on the west side of the bav.
1t is probable Commander Deucy will
now make combined attack on Manila
by land and sea, having effected q juno
ture with the insurgents
He has probably already sent dispatch
boat to Hong Kong with news of the
battle, and the first details will probably
come from that point.
Spanish Commander Killed.
Madrid. May 1.-Advices from Man
say that the American squadron under
Commodore Dewey appeared off the Bay
| of Manila at > o'clock last night aud
| opened strong cannonade against the
| Spanish squadron and forts protecting the
| harbOr.
The Spanish second-class cruiser Don
| Juan de Austria was severely damaged
and her commander was killed. Another
| Spanish vessel was burned.
The American squadron retired having
| also sustained severe damage.
A second naval engagement followed in
| which the American squadron again suf
| fercd considerable loss and the Spanish
| warships Mindanao and Ulloa were
| slightly DANA ged.
| The OncinI Dispatch.
The following is the text of the official
! dispatch from the gOvernOrccneral of the
| Philippines TO the minister of war. Lieut.
| Gen. Correa, 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 the enemy took up
| positions. opening with a strong fire
| against Fort Cayite and the arsenal.
Our feet engaged the enemy in a bril-
liant combat. protected by the Cavite and
Manila forts. They obliged the enemy
with heavy loss to maneuver repeatedly.
| AT 9 o'clock the American squadron took
refuge behind the foreign merchant ship
| ping on the east side of the bay.
Spain'- Ships Burn.
'Our fleet. considering the enemy's SUI
| pcriority, naturally suffered a severe loss.
The Maria Christina is on fire and an
other ship, believed To be the Don Juan
Dc Austria. was blown up.
There was considerable loss of life.
Capt. Cadarzo, comma nding the Maria
Christina. is among the killed. / cannot
now give further details. The spirit of
| the army, navy and volunteers is excel
| lent"
Sunk to Escape tho Enemy.
Midnight-An official telegram received
| at a late hour from the governor general
| of the Philippines says: admiral
| Montejo has transferred his flag to the
cruiser !Sla de Cuba from the cruiser
| Reina Maria Christina. The Christina
was completely burned, a. was also the
| cruiser Castillo, the other ships having to
| retire from the combat and some being
| sunk to avoid their falling into the hands
| of the enemy
FL HeraIdo says Montejo changed his
| flagship during the engagement or be-
| tween the two encounters the better to
! direct the mancuverS. Thus he escaped
the fate of Christmas s commander.