Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1898-05-05

London, May 5.-The United States
squadron in Asiatic waters completely de-
feated the Asiatic squadron of Spain in the
harbor of Manila, in the Philippine Islands,
Sunday morning.
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 warships Jared the best, there is hard
ly any doubt that when complete details
are obtainabe it will be learned that it was
a crushing defeat for Spain.
During the two engagements that took
place Commodore Montojo, commanding
the Spanish fleet, 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 The other Spanish
vessels were badly damaged. One report
adds that several of the 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. Captain Cadarso, commanding
the Reina Christina, was killed. Commo.
dore Montoio, commanding the fleet, shift
ed his flag from the Rena Christina to the
Isla de Cuba, much smaller steel protect
ed cruiser, just before the Christina sank.
The blowing up of the Don Juan de Aus
tria was attended by great loss of life
among the crew, her commander also being
killed.
Commodore Dewey's squadron, leaving
Subig Bay, few miles from Manila, about
four O'Clock Saturday afternoon, proceeded
toward Manila. Under the cover of dark
ness he entered the harbor, the batteries
located there announcing his arrival.
Both fleets lined up for battle about day
break Sunday morning The guns of the
American war ships began firing on the
fortress of Cavite and the arsenal of Manila.
Under the protection of the guns Of these
Notifications the Spanish warships opened
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
A well directed shot reached the iron
cruiser Don Juan de Austria, a vessel of
eleven hundred tons. a terrific explosion
followed and the ship was blown up
The American squadron about nine
o'clock drew off to the west side of the bay
and took refuge behind some foreign ship
ping. The ships had evidently suffered
considerable damage. After some hasty
repairs they returned to the conflict Dur
ing this engagement the guns of Cavite
maintained steadier and stronger fire up
on Commodore Dewey's ships than in the
first engagement, but the American guns
were being used with telling effect.
As the smoke lifted it was seen that the
flagship Reina Christina was on fire. The
vessel was completely burned. The cruiser
Castillo, next to the flagship the largest
and most powerful of the Spanish squad.
ron, was also burned The cruiser Don
Antonio de Ullo and the Mindanao were
also badly damaged in this encouter.
That the American squadron received
severe damage in the engagement cannot
be doubted. Early reports had it that five
of Commodore Dewy's ships had been
sunk. Later adyices from Madrid put the
number at two.
There were undoubtedly heavy losses in
men on both sides. One apparently trust
] Inv t1t hat IL
had two hundred killed and four hundred
wounded.
Trustworty details of the American loss
of life will hardly be obtainable until Com
modore Dewey has taken Manila or has
sent a vessel with dispatches to Hong
Kong
Cut or News for Havana.