The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1898-05-13
MANILA Is
BLOCKADED
SpaniardS Are Determined
to Hold Out.
BIG FORCE OF SOLDIERS.
A Flag of Truce is Said to Be Flying
Over the Island.
BIG FORCE OF SOLDIERS.
MONTEJO'S PLAN OF DEFENCE.

respondent of The Daily Mail says: "The
Spaniards at Manila are incensed against
the British because IL is believed that
the Esmeralda piloted the Americans
into the bay. 1t is feared that the
Spanish soldiers, who are unpaid, Will
attack the British factories.
THE British gunboat Linnet brought
from Manila both the Spanish and
American mails. The Spanish authori-
ties and Admiral Dewey have been
equally courteous in permitting COM
munication with the land and sanction
ing the forwarding OF letters and docu-
ments by any and all means which Of
fered themselves; but the Spaniards have
made up their minds to hold out to the
last. They are in position to give the
Americans deal of trouble. There are
$4,000 soldiers In the garrison at
Manila and 100000 volunteers enrolled.
Scores OF coastng steamers are i'm
prisoned on the Pasig. which is blocked
at the mouth by sunken schooners.
Mr.. WildmaA the American consul
here, tells me that according to his dis
patches, a flag OF truce is flying over
Manila and the people are allowed to
proceed freely to and from the ships in
teh harbor The Americans are on duty
night and day on the lookout for boats
which endeavor TO run the blockade with
food supplies. The hospital is supported
by the Americans. The Spaniards are
boasting that their big battleship Pelayo
Is coming and will demolish the Ameri-
cans in 10 minutes"
The Hong Kong correspondent OF The
Times says: II had conversation with
Admiral Montojo, who, recognizing the
superiority OF the American squadron,
admitted that his chief object was to
seek the protection Of the Cavite forts.
He fought in the Reina Maria Chris
tina till she was on fire fore and aft and
had 81 killed. On the advice of his flag
lieutenant. he transferred his flag to the
isla pe Cuba. Evidently, after two and
a half hours fighting. he gave the signal
TO scuttle and abandon her. Commodore
Dewey ceased fire and asked permission
OF the forts to destroy the burning ships.
Admiral Montojo replied: The ships
are at your mercy; do as you like The
American fire was then resumed D II the
Spanish squadron was completely an
initiated.
The captain OF the Boston, who car
ried the flag of truce, said: You COM
batted us with four very bad ships, not
warships. We have never seen before
Drawer fighting under such unequal con-
ditions. 1t is a great pity you exposed
your lives on vessels not fit for fighting.'
Commodore Dewey sent message to
Admiral Montojo as follows: L have
pleasure in clasping your hand and Of
fering my congratulations on the gallant
manner In which you fought
Admiral Montojo attributes the re-
sponsibility of his defeat 10 the govern
ment in Madrid. He had only obsolete
vessels. though he had requisitioned the
government for ships. He had no tor
pedoes except some which he himself
had constructed out of ineffective ma
terial. His original intention was to re-
main at Subic and offer battle. but he
returned to Cavite because the Subic
forts were inadequate.
During the bombardment of the Ca
vite arsenal, Commodore Dewey sus-
pended fire at the request OF the Span
fards to allow two men and children to be
removed to a place OF safety I wit
messed the second bombardment.
The rebels looted Cavite immedi-
ately the Spaniards flying to Manila,
and encounters with the rebels were fire.
quent in the suburbs. When landed
on May 2I found the city panic c-striclsen.
and the shops remained closed for three
days. Finding that an armistice had
been agreed upon, many civilians re-
turned. The position of the British Sec
ton of the community was precarious.
owing to the scattered position OF their
houses. Food was scarce and at famine
prices: the soldiers had remained un-
paid for several weeks, and looting was
feared. On Friday before the bonn
bardment the steamer Gulf of Martaban
left for Singapore and London with
Spanish and English women and chill
dren on board; but many English fami-
lies still remain ashore.
The spaniards are not expected to
capitulatc. Commodore Dewey has
Manila al his mercy: but IL would be
useless TO lombard the city without n
sufficient force to hold IT,"