The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1898-04-30
BLANCO BLUFFING IT OUT
FAIRY TALES TELEGRAPHED
TO SPANISH GOVERNMENT
The Matanxas Incident Set Down
a Spanish Victory, and the Crui-
ser Montgomery, Now at Key
West, Reported as Having Gone
ashore on the Cuban Coast and
Suffered Severe Damage.
By the Associated Press.

by the Associated Press
MADRID. April 29.-In official circles
II IS not believed the Americans can
erect a landing on the shores of
Matanzas bay, as the bay is full of
torpedoes.
The reports cabled from Washington
respecting the movements of the Amer
ican army and fleet are considered as
intended to hoodwink the Spanish gov
eminent
The latest dispatches from Havana
from Gen. Blanco say the American
Warshlp Montgomery went ashore off
the coast of Pinar del Rio and that
she grounded on the rocks near Colon
ados. According to Blanco three other
WarSnlps succeeded in floating her, but
the montgomery is badly damaged
Inere are great rejoicings in Havana
at what is described as ''the American
repulse at Matanzas"
IL Is announced this evening that the
captain of the Spanish steamer Monte
serrat the vessel which was bound for
Havana with a valuable cargo and
Whlch succeeded in making the port
OF Cienfuegos. has been decorated with
the heo cross and has been granted
special pension.
The following is the substance of the
ofhclal report made by Capt. Gen.
Blanco on the subject of the bonn
Dafdment of the forts of Matanzas
by ships belonging to Rear Admiral
SIMPSONS squadron, on Wednesday
last:
+er raree american cruisers fired on the bat
teIies OF Fort Morillo, at Matanzas, with
out doing any damage. We fired fourteen
shots, TO- which the Americans replied with
aun mui sho.i Of mtraileuse Quick firing
Inc American squadron also fired four
Teen cannon shots at the Abanilla battery.
Snan;s one mule being killed, to which the
spanish battery only replied with four shots
as the squadron was beyond range The
whole squadron of five ships then threw
damage. '
The French and Austrian consuls have
protested against the bombardment as it
ing to foreign subjects.
Inc troops manning the stations are full
OF nght 1t appears that our shots did some
damage TO the American ships. One funnel
During the bombardment Col. Alfabs
Win d c0Iumn or troops, attacked rebel
o oan Mo under Betancourt, at Migote. south
or Matanzas, capturing their positions and
klllng twenty men. including two chiefs
quantity of arms. horses stores and
the 1nsurgent camps were captured.
One of Capt. Gen. Blanco's dispatches
reporting the alleged grounding of an
American ironclad on the coast Of Pi-
mar del Rio has been received with
greatEJoy by the newspapers of Mad
rid. They declare it proves 'the Amer
leans are not versed in seamanship."
The minister of war; Gen. Correa. in
the chamber Of deputies today, replying
to inquiries for particulars in regard
TIC the bombardment of the forts at
MatanzaS, said the government had
decided to publish "all the news re-
ceived, good and bad"
Continuing, Gen. Correa told the
deputies that the United States SQUAD
ron fired sixty projectiles, and that the
only victim was d mule, remark
which aroused laughter among the
Spaniards..
The general next informed the house
that the American warships were in
jured by the fire Of the Spanish bat
teries, and, continuing, he asserted
that the insurgents were acting in
conjunction with the United States
forces, as they advanced in the direc-
ton of Matanzas while the lombard
ment was proceeding.
But" added the minister for war,
they were completely routed"
In conclusion, Gen Correa remarked:
1T was glorious day for the Span
ish army"
The Marquis Lama asked if tele-
graphic communication with the An
titles had been assured. He recalled
the convention of Paris and said he
hoped communication via Halifax, the
Bermudas and Jamaica would not be
interrupted.