The evening times., 1898-10-05
"LA TORNADO DEL 49,"

That heading of an editorial article I'm
the Diaro de Manila, meaning the mem
orable Thirteenth Day of August. is on
the lines of a previous article with the
title of Fatal First of May" 1t is
Journal with Spanish sympathies, but
surprisingly frank in dealing with war
news. The following is the capture of
Manila as seen through the glasses of
a Spaniard, translated for the New
York Commercial Advertiser:
AT 9:15, approximately, last SATURDAY.,
the 18th ofIthe present month, in reality
begaa the military operations announced
days ago. In the morning. at daybreak,
had begun the shooting at random on
the part of the advance guard at our
lines of defense. Nevertheless, when the
attack became of some Importance, our
soldiers behind their breastworks still
sustained their positions. To put an end
to the operation, four ships OF the Ameri-
can squadron were detached, which are.
according to our information, the Olym-
pia, the Boston, the Raleigh and the Cal
lao In an hour and half of effective and
certain fire the walls of San Antonio
Abad were reduced to dust and the
breastworks on the flank and rear had
been beaten down, causing great loss OF
life and rendering it impossible for the
soldiers to keep their positions. 1t was,
then, necessary to order the forces at this
point to bend back. The eaemy saw this
and hoisted a flag for parley, which
was answered from the Plaza, accepting
the proposition. A preliminary conyen-
ton was then accorded us, which result
ed in the fact published elsewhere in this
periodical.
with tears in their eyes, our soldiers
delivered up their arms, which for
long time, in days of glory, they had
carried to sustain the prestige of the
falling twilight prevented them from see
ing the North American flag go up over
the walls of the City of LegaZpi.
The tragedy, whose first act took place
in the waters of Cavite in the beginning
of the month of May, and which to turn
the wheels of the revolutionists in the
Tagal provinces around Manila, was
brought to an end on the unhappy day
of the 18th of the month with the capitu
lation of this place. which withStood,
with small force, siege and block
ade of more than 100 days and 100 nights.
Fate has been unjust 10 the valiant Span
ish army. 1t merits other prizes; II mer-
it's for its virtue and its patriotism,
more flags and honors than have been
conceded il in a capitulation which Is as
honorable as ever was any capitulaton
More than three months sustaining line
fifteen kilometers. behind sacks of sand,
with water up TO the knees, suffering
with the severity of interminable gales,
shut in with their rifles and cannons.
surrounded byt he insurrectiOnists and
disciplined army, the Spanish soldiers
here in the Philippines, without bread
and badly cared for, because of strict
blockade and siege, have held on high
the flag of their country, and have won
the admiration and veneration OF all
even of their enemy The problem that
was thirteen months in solving Itself
was morally settled the lst of May.
Since that day the Plaza of Manila found
itself at the mercy of the guns OF Ad-
rniral Dewey, and if he did not possess
himself of il, ii was probably because
he couIdi not count upon disembarkinS
a sufficient force to guarantee the hNes
and property of the inhabitants, who to-
day Gen Merritt has placed under the
special faith and honor OF the American
army.
Nevertheless. if in the beginning OF
the war. the people of the country had
been on the side of Spain. perhaps the
end Of the tragedy would not have been
the capitulation OF the 18th. If the peo-
nile of the country had not beSieged US,
or if not taking our part, they remained
neutral-crossing their arms and await
ing the result of the contest, then. clear
ing the place of women, children, the
old and the infirm. and putting them out
of reach of the guns OF Admiral Dewey.
the resistance would have been stronger
and the work of the enemy more import
ant.
For the conqueror the tranquility
that should have succeeded capituia-
ton between men of honor and con-
science is something vague and indie
ciSive. because of the insurrectionary ell
ements creating an abnormal situation
in which the work and responsibility that
fall 80 the conqueror are greater than
those that weighed him down before the
victory.
THE forces of Gen. Monet and those
commanded by Col Carlo did not aban-
don their positions until the evening of
the 18th. Gen. Merritt, with his aides,
in a coach from Malacaaany. was the
first to enter the place. In the palace of
the Junta where he went. was signed
the capitulation of the city At $50
O'Clock. with formation perfect. and in
the best of order. the American troops
advanced to the gates of the Postigo
Real and Santa Lucia to take possession
of the city. The first TO enter the city
was the regiment of volunteers of Ore
gon. composed of three battalions of
four hundred men"