The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1898-05-17

UnT Oailao - tne only one of Importance.
Inc spanish Admiral Montojo is in
Manila. bis wounds are not serious.
The official reports show that Spanish
ships had double crews aboard, expecting
that our ships would be captured and that
they would put prize crews aboard the
American ships and hoist the Spanish
oolors.
The spaniards have not yet recovered
from the shock. They explain their de-
feat by saving that they lacked target
practice, that they had had absolutely no
practice for the last two years.
u Besides, the Americans arrived too early
in the morning. The Spaniards were still
in their pajamas, they had had no coffee
and could not shoot straight without
coffee.
When the Boston and the Concord re-
turned from conveying to sea the Nc
Culloch on her first trip to Hong Kong
after the battle they stopped at Corregidor
island, captured q gunboat and one tug
and destroyed the remaining battery and
signal station.
The absence of signals resulted in the
gunboat Callao's entering the bay and
her capture by the Americans.
A careful search has been made of the
| nearby rivers and harbors for warships
or Spanish vessels. All the merchantmen
have been captured; but few were left,
and they were mostly small craft.
:, There has been no interference with the
fishing boats except thau they are not al
lowed to 90 to Manila. %
No attempt has been made to take
prisoners, All the Spaniards who sur
rendered at Ceyite and those who were
captured on the vessels were set at liberty
under parole not to take up arms against
the United States during the present war.
Admiral Dewey has given notice that
| any one breaking the oath will be sum-
marily dealt with, but that the liberated
men will not be molested as long as they
observe the parole.
No indignity has been offered to the
Spaniards. The officers were allowed to
keep their swords. Many soldiers were
permitted to retain guns, because the re-
bells would not have allowed them to get
to Manila alive unless they had been
armed.
The tonnage of the ships destroyed and
captured exceeds 81. 600. The eleven YES
sells burned or sunk aggregated $1,000
These figures do not include the
launches, small steamers and sailing
,raft. Many fine steam launches We're
captured and now are used as launches or
tenders for the American ships.
All the land guns were blown up by
Admiral Dewey's orders.
Considerable stores of coal were captured
at Cavite, and one storeship. the Manila.
The Admiral now has an ample supply.
The transport Manila fine iron steam
er of 1900 tons, and in splendid condition,
is being loaded with guns from the
captured warships-modern high power
four to six inch and numerous small
guns, and great store of ammunition.
The Spaniards threw away the breeches
OF many good guns to prevent the Ameri-
cans from using them.
I returned from Hong Kong on the Nc
CulIoch, arriving here Tuesday. We
brought a cablegra1n from Secretary of
the Navy Long giyingAdmiral Dewey the
Presidents thanks, announcing his pro-
motion to rear-admiral and telling of the
proposed vote Of thanks by Congress.
Wednesday morning the flagship flew
the Rear-Admiral's flag, which was
saluted by the foreign ships.
The Admiral published Secretary
Longs cablegam, containing also thanks
to the officers and mon. Admiral Dewey
added:
'sIn accordance with the above I have
this day hoisted my flag as Rear Admiral
on board the flagship Olympia.
This was read at general muster and
was hailed with continued cheering from
officers and men.
A long wait with nothing big to do is
now anticipated by the officers.
The weather is very hot and there is
little liberty ashore given. All hope for
something decisive soon.