Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-06-01

the flying masonry and dismantled guns the
forms of men were discerned. The damage
done to the American fleet cannot be
learned, but 1t is not thought any person
was killed If, indeed, any one was wounded.
The Spanish Account.
Copyright, 1898, by Associated Press)
HAVANA, June 1.-The following Span
ish account Of the reported engagement off
Santiago de Cuba has been issued here:
The American feet consisting of the
Iowa. Massachusetts, Brooklyn. Texas.
New Orleans. MaIblehead. Minneapolis and
another cruiser, in addition to six small
vessels, took up a position on May 81 on the
western side OF the mouth of Santiago de
Cuba channel, opening fire from the first
five vessels
The Spanish cruiser Cristobal Colon was
anchored toward Punta Gorda, and could
be seen from the open sea.
The fire of the An erican fleet was an
swered by the Morro Socapa and Punta
Gorda batteries and by the cruiser Cristo-
bal Colon.
The American fleet fired seventy shots,
with projectiles of 3d." without causing
the least damage.
The bombardment lasted ninety minutes
and the American fleet retired with a trans
Hsi"AtAS StcdiiitI CTulSeTD DAM
aged. Two shells were seen to explode on
the 1owa's stern, and there was fire on
board another battle ship.
Several projectiles fell inside the harbo-
near the Spanish warships.
There is great enthusiasm at Santiago de
Cuba and here.
More Spanish Details.
Copyright, 1898. by the Associated Press)
following additional details have been re-
ceived here from Spanish source at Ha-
vana of the engagements reported off Santi-
ago de Cuba yesterday:
The Spanish batteries at first answered
the fire of the American squadron
in lively manner. After twenty min
utes of firing, directed in supe-
rior manner upon the part of tn.
American fleet. the Spanish batteries began
to weaken their fire and the American ships
concentrated a violent fire upon Ell Moro,
destroying it completely. The forts at So
capa and Punta Gorda fired the last shots.
The Spanish losses must have been con-
siderable. Details are lacking as to the
American losses.
The Spaniards pretend to have struck the
American vessels several times. but this
Information is accepted here under reserve.
At o'clock yesterday afternoon the
American squadron ceased firing.
At that hour there was no Spanish ves-
sci in sight.
No news has been received here from the
dispatch boats.
American Attack Repulsed.
MADRID. June /, 5 p.m-The following
undated official dispatch from Havana has
been received here:
''The American squadron, commanded by
Commodore Schley, composed of large IRON
clads and cruisers, attacked the fortifica-
tions at the entrance Of Santiago de Cuba
Our ironclad Cristobal Colon, closing the
mouth of the port and supported by the
fire of the forts, repulsed the attack, caus-
ing damage to the enemy.
(SignedD "MANTEROLA."
The minister of marine, Captain Auno,
on leaving the palace this evening after a
visit to the queen, said:
'The American squadron has bombarded
and tried to force the Santiago forts, which
replied vigorously. The Cristobal Colon
advanced to the mouth of the harbor ex-
changing shots with the enemy, who fired
seventy shots against the forts. The dam
age done is not reported. The Colon hit an
auxiliary ship, damaging it. The Colon
was not hurt. Further details are with
held
Admiral Manterola Is the officer in COM
mand of the regular Spanish fleet In Cuban
u aters.
London Is Bewildered.
LONDON, June This city is bewil-
dered by the conflicting reports from San
tiago de Cuba which are reaching here from
all sources. "The Spanish fleet destroyed
or surrendered' alternates with reported
battle discredited at the Navy Depart
n ent" on the news placards.
Some Of the special dispatches have
seemingly minute details as to how the
Brooklyn, standing well in shore, opened
the battle yesterday afternoon, and how
a heavy fire was concentrated by the whole
squadron on Moro and the other defenses,
to which they replied furiously.
Another report says: Commodore Schley
after exploding many mines in the chan
mel, ran the Texas far enough into the
harbor to engage and sink the Reina Mer-
cedes.'
THE GOVERNMENT NOT INFORMED
No Official Confirmation of the San
tiaEO Reports.
Up to o'clock this afternoon neither