The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-05-09
FOREIGN REPORTS OF BATTLE.
London Mail Correspondent Describes
Act of Spanish Treachery.

Act OF spanish Ireucnerys
LONDON, May 9.-The Hong Kong cor
respondent 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 American fleet. The
Spanish flagship having got up steam, adj
vanced 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 Christina through
out her length and caused her boilers to ex-
plode, killing her captain and sixty men.
She drifted away on fire. Altogether one
hundred and forty men were killed and
about the same number were wounded. Ad-
miral Montejo transferred his flag to the
Castillo, which was sunk shortly after
wards by a storm of shot. AT quarter or
s the Olympia signaled to cease firing. The
Americans were exhausted, having been at
quarters since 10 o'clock on the previous
night A conference of captains was held
and it was found that not one had been
killed but that several had been slightly
wounded by splinters. Two torpedo launches
$1,000 -N~-
big guns were unable to strike so small an
object, but a hail of six-pound shells sank
the leading launch all on board being killed
The other launch was beached with twelve
shot holes, and the boat was covered with
blood. Half an hour after noon white
flag was hoisted at Cavite, and the Spanish
crews deserted their ships, taking away
their dead. Admiral Montejo fled to Ma
,,;Io x,,;t+ HE two aidS-de-camD.'
The Hong-Kong correspondent of the
Daily Mail gives the following additional
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
bottom, with all on board Several vessels
close in shore behaved in the same way and
shared her fate
1.-The Spaniards had fought to their last
gasp. and now surrendered. They had been
announcing that the Americans would kill
every one in Cavite, and, when we landed,
a long procession of priests and Sisters or
Mercy met the boat from the Petrol and
begged our men not to injure the wounded
in the hospitals. AS a matter OF fac, the
Americans rescued some two hundred Span
iards and sent them ashore. All the Span
ish vessels are destroyed with Two thousand
men. The Spanish estimate gives their less
as one thousand killed and wouaded. IN
the Reina Maria Christina two hundred men
are believed to have been killed or drowned.
The officers of the gunboat McCullocn, with
whom conversed to-day, bear testimony to
the bravery of the Spaniards. 1ney partic-
ularly praised the gallant crew of the Las
tlla, whom they describe as the bravcst
men ever sacrificed in battle They con-
slider the result OF the fight remarkable in
stance of the advantage of long-ranga firing
to the side which is better in artillery and
craftsmanship.
Private papers captured at Cavite show
it was intended that the Spanish fleet should
engage the Americans, outside the bay the
day before the fight No explanation is
forthcoming of the change in plans My in
formant told me landing was not effected
at Manila, where food is scarce, as Commo-
dore Dewey could not undertake any re-
sponsibility Still, 1 do not think there is
any danger of the insurgents massacring
the population of Manila. If they began to
do so Commodore Dewey would land men
and stop them. The American commander
has wired for instructions regarding Ma
Mia, not caring to take over the city on his
own responsibility. Supplies are being
stopped by the insurgents at Manila and
Cavite, where the hospital has been plum
dered for food. The Americans landed@up-
H.