Pleasantville weekly press. (Pleasantville, N.J.) 1890-1911, 1898-05-04
DEVEY'S VICTORY.
Defeat Of the Spanish Fleet at
Philippine Islands. -.
TWO SPANISH SHIPS SUNK.
Our Commodore Has Sent in an
Ultimatum, -
AND sPAIH's CABINET YIELDS


Has Cabled the Captain General to Comply
With the Victorious American's Demands.
The Disturbed Spanish Capital Has
Been Placed Under Martial Law-Com-
modore Dewey, Owing to Insufficient
Forces, will Probably Combine With the
Philippine Insurgents to Eve he Latter
Garrison the Island.
London, May 3.-The Madrid corre-
spondent of the Times, describing Sum
days engagement at Manila, says. The
Olympia, the Boston. the Raleigh, the
Concord, the Petrol and the Monocacy,
entered the bay under cover of dark
ness by the smaller and safer Bo-
cachica channel. The forts Of Cor
reNidor Island gave the alarm by firing
on the intruders. but they seem to
have inflicted no serious damage. The
American squadron moved up the bay,
and at 3 o'clock In the morning ap-
peared before Cavite. Here, lying
under the shelter Of the forts. was the
Spanish squadron.
Admiral Montejo. q few days before.
went to Subic bay to look for the
enemy. but learning that they were
vastly superior in force had prudently
returned and placed his ships under
the protection of the forts. This was
his only chance of meeting the enemy
on something like equal terms. and it
did not suffice.
Soon the Americans opened fire,
The Spaniards replied vigorously, and
the combat continued without inter-
ruption for four hours, during which
the Don Antonio de Ullea was sunk,
the Castillo and Mindanao were set on
fire, and the Reina Maria Christina
and the Don Juan de Austria were
seriously damaged One or two of the
smaller craft were scuttled by their
crews to escape capture. Others took
refuge in small neighboring creek,
empting into Baker bay, where pre-
sumably the American ships were un-
able to follow them. But not one sur
rendered.
It is said that the burning of the
Spanish vessels was caused by the use
Of petroleum bombs which were
thrown by the American vessels. These
bombs also set on fire a number Of ma
tive huts at Manila during the en-
gagement.
Captain Cadarso, of the cruiser Reina
Maria Christina, who was killed on
the bridge of his vessel, was one of the
most brilliant officers In the Spanish
navy.
An unconfirmed dispatch from Mad
rid places the Spanish loss in the bat
tie of Manila at 400 killed and a large
number wounded. The American loss
is not stated. though it is asserted that
the American ships were badly dam
aged.
Little additional news has arrived
from Manila, but the cardinal fact is
that Commander Dewey is now In pos
session of Manila bay, and can GER
tainly take possession of Corregidor
Island. even If he finds difficulty In
effectually capturing Manila itself,
landing force. Having thus secured a
naval base, he will have no difficulty
in securing supplies Of coal. This Is
q mere question of money and or
ganization. The belligerent who is
strong in certain waters will generally
In securing supplies Of coal.
Commodore Dewey, according to
dispatch from Madrid, gave General
August "a hours to comply with an
ultimatum which demanded all warliks
stores and the entire stock of coal In
charge Of the government officials. The
ultimatum asserted that no money levy
would be made on Manila, The dis
patch says it is believed In Madrid
that the government has already
cabled the captain general authority to
comply with the demand, no other
course being open, Grave events may
follow public knowledge of this COM
pliance.
The cabinet ministers admit that
the naval battle off Cavite ended in
utter rout, but they are resolved to
spare no efforts in the defense Of their
country. Considerable surprise and
disappointment has been caused by
the destruction done by the American
fleet. as it has been officially stated
that the authorities at Manila had re-
ceived so torpedoes and heavy guns
to strengthen the coast defenses, par
ticularly the defenses commanding the
two channels on the right and left of
Corregidor Island.
It is noticeable among all classes.
especially among politicians, that there
is . strong hope of an intervention
by continental powers. especially Ger
many and Russia.
It Is suggested here that the half
breeds at the Manila arsenals, who are
yebels at heart. cut the cables con-
Meeting with the submarine mines. and
thus enabled Commodore Dewey to
force the harbor In safety,
No real bomhardment will be neces-
sary to destroy Manila If the shells are
Of such description as will set houses
on flre. the bulk Of which there are
of wood or bamboo. Only the public
buildings are built OF stone, while the
brick built old town IL incapable Of
resisting artillery.
The Madrid correspondent OF the
Standard telegraphing at midnight,
says: "Senox Aguilera, the civil gov
ernor Of Madrid. has just posted on the
walls % the homo ONCE tie customary
proclamation. intimating that the civil
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