Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1898-08-17

the Americans capture of the town.
General Merritt and Admiral Dewey.s
plan was to spare every object but the
armed defences and the trenches. APP
parenily the American losses We're ex-
trcmely small. The Spanish entrench-
ments varied In point OF distance from
two to four miles from the center Of
Old Manila.
Defending this long line of at least
ten miles were not over. and probably
under 5000 Spanish regular troops, vol
unleers and natives About half that
number were in the hospital. The at
tacking force numbered from 10000 to
10000 natives and 10000 Americans, on
shore and aboard the fleet. In every
respect the advantage was on the side
OF IN" attack The American field
guns threw heavier metal and had
longer range than the Spanish. the
craftsmanship of the United States
Sunn"rS was much superior to that Of
the Spaniards. and the men We're
stronger and in better condition The
Spaniards are a small race. compared
with their stalwart opponents, and.
Worn out by a hundred days siege
ana disappointed by the failure to ar
rive of the promised Spanish relief
squadron. they had lost heart. 1t was
a. hopeless struggle. .
Looking over the bay it was curious
[" notice the foreigners arranging them
selves according to their sympat hies.
The English and Japanese were near
the Americans and the German and
French on the opposite sides OF the bay,
north OF the Pasig river. The British
cruiser lmmortalite and her consorts
kept fairly near the American line.
The attacking squadron formed in line
between Malate and Old Manila, with
the Concord watching the fort at the
mouth of the PasiE. The American
fleet lay outside the brcakwater
The Olympia fired the first shot at
$40. and Il fairly continuous, but by no
hle;tnS furious. cannonade was kept up
unt'l 1l:2o. BY that time the Mala,e
troops then stormed the intrenchments.
The Spaniards who were in the earth
works tell me that the quick firing
guns OF the little gunboat Rapido.
which lay close to the shore We're far
more terrible in their effect than was
the rakng fire of the ships.
Resistance to the American attack
vas impossible. The First Colorado
regiment was the earliest to charge the
Sranards who retired to the second
e, into the old city. a part Of Malate
suffered terribly from the bombard-
ment The Wanted intrameurs de-
fences We're not tried.
me spanish commander, convinced
that further resistance was hopeless.
h"istcd the white flag at 1870 ana the
order to cease firing was immediatel
issued IN the center OF the town, but
me outsklrt street fighting occurred
Tor some time afterwards between the
rebels and Spaniards.
The only fear felt in the CITY is in
regard to the conduct Of the insurgents.
| AS write this in the house of the Ger
man consul brisk fuslude is going on
between the combatants and musketry
lire is rafting all around"
NO NEWS AT MADRID.
MADRID, Aug. 16.-Lieutenant Gem
er;ll Correa. minister of war, declares
mat he has received no dispatch from
| General Jaudemes, relative to the sur
render Of Manila, and that he knows
only semi-offtcially that General Au-
Todnys cabinet council was almost
exclusively occupied in considering the
repa triation of the troops. The cues
ton of convoking the cortes was post
poned until the next meeting or the
cabinet. The council today also dis
cussed the appoint of a peace commits
sion. Captain Aunon. the minister of
marine. says that the United States
government has expressed a desire
! tlat their commission Shall be compos-
ed Of ;he most important men in diplo-
mats circles. II is asserted on we'll
| grounded quarters tonight that Senior
Sagasta will provoke crisis of the
question of conv,:kinS the cnr:es. on
winch the minister's still disagree.
Inc Italian ambassador on behalf of
ms government has expressed to Spain
ms satisfaction over he cessation of
hnstillties. and the earnest wish that
alter having fought with honor. Spajn
may enjoy the blessings of peace.