The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1898-04-30
BLANCO'S VERSION
--------------
Says Nc Damage Was Done
At MatanzaS.
AND SHIPS REPULSED
FRENCH AND AUSTRIAN CON
STL.S HAVE PROTESTED.
THE RUnORED POSITION OF GERMANY
Claim that She viii Protest Against the Bonn
bardment Of Manila. Claims of Re-
inforcement Of Spanish Fleet
at the Philippines.

al uie HHlpplHcSa
Madrid, April .2G.-1O A. M-It was
officially announced to-day that the for
tifications of Matanzas have not suf-
fered 'In spite of 800 shells fred by
the American fleet and that mot one
man was killed or wounded thereby"
In official circles the stories of the
bombarlmcnt received via the United
States are read with shouts of derisive
laughter
II A. M.-Dispatches received here
to-day from Manila capital of the Phil
lippinc Islands, say that the United
States fleet is expected 10 arrive at Ma
nilla on Sunday The Spanish fleet has
been divided into two squadrons. Two
cruisers, the Castillo and other vessels
remain near the front of Manila. The
remaining war ships, under Admiral
Montejo, are patrOlling the western
coasts. awaiting the arrival of the
American war ships.
The Spanish fleet, it appears has been
reinforced by n large auxiliary cruiser,
said to he capable of steaming twenty
knots. and armed rs n war ship. She
is known rs the MontcvideO, bnt I'm eX-
animation of the Maritime Registers fails
to establish her Identify.
1900 M-The following is the sub
stance of the official report made by
Captain General Blanco on the subject
of. the bombardment of the Notifications
Of Matanzas by ships belonging to Rear
Admiral Simpsons squadron on We'd
nesday last:
"Three American cruisers fred on the
batteries of Fort Morillo. at Matanzas.
without any damage. We fired four
shots, to two of which the Americans re-
piled with II multitude of mitraiIeuSc.
firing guns shots. which did not do any
injury.
"The American squdron also fired four
cannon shots at Sabanilla battery, only
one mule being killed. To which the Span
ish battery only replied with four shots,
as the squdron was beyond range.
'rhe whole squadron of five ships then
threw several shells into the town, with
out doing any damage.
"The French and Austrian consus
have protested against the bOmbardment.
as it was commenced without any pre-
vious warning to foreign subjects.
'"Fhe troops manning the stations are
full of fight
1T appears that our shots did some
damage to the American ships.
"One funnel was certainly hit
During the bombardment, Colonel Al
fabs. with a column of troops, attacked
a rebel band. under Betancourt at
MigOte, south of Matanzas, capturing
their positions and killing twenty men,
including two chiefs. \ quantity of
arms. horses. stores and the insurgents
camps were captured
give mounted rebels and chief
Aiona, surrendered
Ore Of Captain General Blanco's dis
patches repOrtin the alleged grounding
of an American iron-clad on the coast
of Pinar del Rio, has been received with
great JOY by the newspapers of Madrid.
They declare it proves ''the Americans
are not versed in seamanship."
800 p. M.-Thc Minister of War.
General COrrea, in the Chamber of Dep
uties to-day. replying to inquiries for
particulars in regard to the lombard
ment Of the Notifications at Matanzas,
said the government had decided to pub
lish "al the news received, good or
bad"
COnllnulHR, COll'i ltptultf
the. substance of General BlancOs re-
mort.
HOO T.. Mn official circles it is not
believed that the Americans can effect a
landing on the shores of Matanzas Bay,
as the bay is full of torpedoes.
The reports cabled from Washington
respecting the movements of the Amer
lean army and fleet are considered as in
tended to hOod-winll the Spanish govern
ment.
The latest dispatches from Havana say
it was the American war ship Mont
gomery which went ashore off the coast
of Pnar del Rio and that she grounded
on the rocks near ColonadOs. According
to these dispatches, three other war ships
succeeded in floating her, but the Mont
gomery is badly damaged.
There are great rejOicings i'll Havana
Mt what is described as the American
renulse at Matanzas." 1t is not be-
Iieyed that the United States war ships
will venture to attack Manila.
900 T.. MA great impression has
heen produccd here by n rumor that the
German government has issued note
declaring that it will not oppose the
landing of troops in the Philippines. but
win not hermit a bOmbardment. owing to
;uonortont German interests in all the
towns of the islands. Germany's omis-
oion ia declare neutrality is held to
give color to this rumor-
A,sf ATa.I