Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1898-05-04


COMMANDER OF THE VICTORIOUI
from the British consul at Manila, E.
II. RaWSOn- Walker. announcing that the
bombardment lasted an hour and a half,
and that the Spanish fleet was practically
annihilated by the fleet of the United
States.
In the House of Commons today, A.
j. Balfour. the government leader and
first lord of the treasury, answering q
question on the subject, said the govern
ment had received information pointing to
a serious battle at Manila and the destruc
ton of a portion of the Spanish fleet. He
added that British Warship was on her
way there, explaining that anything the
government can do to preserve British
lives and interest will be done.
Story of the Victory.
New York, May "a dispatch to the
squadron of the United States, Commo-
dOre Dewey commanding, on Sunday en-
gagged and completely defeated the Asiatic
squadron of Spain in the harbor of Ma
Mia in the Philippine islands.
All the news of the great naval battle,
thus far received, is coming from Spanish
sources. This shows conclusively that
Manila has not yet been taken by the
American forces, and that the cable lines
are still under the control of Spain.
From the fact that even the advices re-
ceived from Madrid show that the Ameri-
can warshiDs Jared the best, there is
hardly any doubt that when complete
details are obtainable if will be learned
that it was Il crushing defeat for Spain.
Reports of the battle thus far are coming
in piecemeal.
Lost Three Ships.
During the two engagements that took
place, Commodore Montejo, commanding
the Spanish feet lost three of his largest
ships. His flagship. the steel cruiser
Reina Christina and the armored cruiser
Castillo were burned. and the cruiser Don
Juan de Austria was blown up.
Several other Spanish vessels were bad
ly damaged. One report adds that sew
eral other Spanish ships were sunk by
their commanders to prevent their falling
into the hands of the Americans
There was a heavy loss of life among
the Spanish. Capt. Darso commanding
the Reina Christina, was killed. Com
mOdOre MOntejO, commanding the fleet,
shifted his flag from the Reina Chris
tina to the Isla de Cuba, much smaller
steel protected cruiser, just before the
Christina sank.
The blowing up of the Don Juan de
Austria was attended by great loss of
life among the crew, her commander also
being killed.
Under Cover of Darkness.
Commodore Dewey's squadron, leaving
Subig bay, few miles from Manila,
about o'clock yesterday afternoon, pro-
ceeded toward Manila. Under the cover
of darkness he entered the harbOr of Ma
Mia, the batteries there announcing his
arrival
Both fleets lined up for battle about 5
O'Clock this morning. The guns of the
American warships began firing on the
fortress Of Cavite and the arsenal of
Manila.
Under the protection OF the guns of
these Notifications the Spanish warships
ODened fire on the American fleet For
several hours the harbOr resOunded with
the roar of guns, the crashing of steel and
timbers, the shrieks and groans of the
wounded.
Thick clouds of smoke at times almost
obscured the opposition fleets from each
other A well-directed shot reached the
iron cruiser Don Juan de Austria. YES
sci of 100 tons A terrific explosion fol
lowed and the ship was blown up.
Fought Under Way.
ment the American ships were under
way, their maneuvering being intended to
render the craftsmanship Of the Spanish
@unners less effective
The American squadron about >
o'clock drew off to the west side of the
bay and took refuge behind some for
eign shipping The ships had evidently
suffered considerable damage. After
some hasty repairs they returned to the
conflict.
During this engagement the guns Of
Cavite maintained a steadier and strong
er fire upon Commodore DeWeys ships
than in the first encounter, but the. Amer
lean guns were being used with telling
effect.
Five
AS the smoke lifted it was seen that
the flagship Reina Christina was on fire.
The vessel was completely burned In
the interval between the two engage
ments Commodore Montejo moved his
flag from the Reina Christina to the
smaller cruiser Isla de Cuba. To the
fact that he made this change he doubt
less owes his life.
The cruiser Castillo, next to the flag
ship the largest and most powerful of
the Spanish squadron, was also burned.
The cruiser Don Antonio de UIloa and
the Mindanao were also badly damaged
in this encounter.
That the American squadron received
severe damage IN the engagement can
that five of Commodore Dewey's ships
had been sunk. Later advices from
Madrid put the number at two.
Loss of Men Heavy.
There were undoubtedly heavy losses
in men on both sides. One apparently
trustworthy report states that the Span
ish had 200 killed and 400 wounded.
Trustworthy details of the American
loss of life will hardly be obtainable I'M
til Commodore Dewey has taken Mania