Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1898-05-09
sistance from them is probable. One re-
Gently captured an American bark.
STORIES oF LONDON PAPERS.


Gently captured an American bark.
STORIES OF LONDON PAPERS.
Details of Battle of Manila a. Sent
by Their Hong Kong Cor
respondents.
London, May 9-The Hong Kong corre-
spondent of the Times. describing the fight
at Manila. says:
1.-THE cable from the bay to Manila having
been cut by the rebels. the city was taken
by surprise by the appearance OF the Amer
ican fleet. The Spanish flagship. having got
up steam. advanced out Of line to meet the
Olympia. Commodore Dewey had issued
an order for his fleet to concentrate its guns
on the Spanish flagship. and the signal
was obeyed with telling effect. The flagship
retired. The Olympia fired an eight-inch
shell, which raked the Reina Maria Chris
tina throughout her length. and caused
her boilers to explode. killing her captain
and sixty men. She drifted away on fire.
Altogether. 14O men were killed and
about the same number were wounded. Ad-
miral Montejo transferred his flag to the
Castillo, which was sunk shortly after
ward by storm OF shot. At quarter
of 8 the Olympia signaled to cease firing.
The Americans were exhausted. having
been at quarters since 10 o'clock the prev
ious night.
"A conference Of captains was held. and
It was found that no one had been killed.
but that several had been slightly wounded
by splinters. Two torpedo launches attack
ed the Olympia. The shells from her big
| guns were unable to strike so small an OBJ
| ject, but a hail Of six-pound shells sank
the leading launch. all on board being kill
ed. The other launch was beached with
| twelve shot holes, and the boat was cover
ed with blood.
Half an hour after noon. q white flag
was hoisted at Cavite. and the Spanish
crews deserted their ships. taking away
their dead. Admiral Montejo fled to Ma
nila with his two aides-de-camp.
London, May 9-The Hong Kong corre-
spondent of the Daily Mail gives the follow
ing additiona! details:
There was an act Of treachery on the
part Of a Spanish ship. which lowered her
flag. and then fired at a boats crew sent
to take possession Of her. She did not hit
the boat, but our guns were turned on her
| and tore her to pieces. She went to the bot
tom with all on board. Several vessels close
| in shore behaved in the same way and
shared the same fate. ,=.. ..-
1.-THE Spaniards had fought to their last
gasp and now surrendered. They had beer
announcing that the Americans would Kill
everyone in Cavite and when we landed
a long procession of priests and sisters Of
| mercy met the boat from the Petrol ant
begged our men not to injure the wounded
in the hospitals. As matter Of fact the
Americans rescued some 200 Spaniards ani
sent them ashore.
"All the Spanish vessels are destroyed
with 1900 men. The Spanish estimates gives
their loss as 1000 killed and wounded. II
the Reina Maria Christina 200 men are be
lieved to have been killed or drowned.
1.-THE officers Of the gunboat McCulloch
with whom conversed to-day, bear testi
mony to the bravery of the spaniards. The,
particularly praised the gallant crew O.
the Castillo. whom they describe as tn,
They consider the result of the fight a re
markable instance of the advantage o.
long range firing to the side, which is bet
ter in artillery and craftsmanship.
Private papers captured at Cavite show
1t was intended that the Spanish fee
should engage the Americans outside tn,
bay before the fight. No explanation II
forthcoming of the change in plans. N.
informant told me a landing was not eff
fected at Manila. where food is scarce, a
Commodore Dewey could not undertake
any responsibility. Still I do not thinl
there is any danger of the insurgents mas
sacreing the population of Manila. II the!
began to do SO, Commodore Dewey woul,
land men and stop them.
1.-The American commander has wired TO
instructions regarding Manila, not carinl
to take over the city on his own responsi
bility. Supplies are being stopped by tn
insurgents at Manila and Cavite, wher
the hospital has been plundered for food
The Americans landed supplies for tn
Spanish wounded. The Olympia was hi
thirteen times during the engagement"
!, London, May s.-Further particular
CLEANED from the special dispatches fror
Hong Kong show that the Spanish yes
sells. not having got up steam, fought at Z
great disadvantage compared with tn
great mobility of Commodore Dewey
squadron. The latter arrived at the en-
trance Of the bay in bright moonlight an
the attack was. therefore, postponed for
few hours. till the. conditions were NOR
favorable. One American cruiser returne
the fire Of the fort on entering, but wa
ordered to desist by the flagship. Commo
dore Dewey having the weightier busines
Of finding the Spanish feet on hand.
In the absence Of a breeze when tn
battle began the ships were soon shroude
in smoke, making it momentarily harde
to Judge exactly how the fight was going
When 1t was over the surviving Spaniard
lost no time in removing themselves an
their dead from, the rapidly burning hulks
! leaving behind all their personal propert
and valuables.
The only loss on the American vessel
, was of Chief Engineer Randall, Of the Nc
Culloch. who died Of heat and apoplexy, a
the squadron was entering the harbor., H
was buried at sea.
When the McCulloch left Manila, tn
forts were maintaining desultory but in
effective fire on the squadron. Meantim,
the insurgents, acting in co-operatfon wit