The herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1893-1900, 1898-06-10
THE SECRET OF THE SUCCESS AT
MANILA
DETAILS OF THE ENGAGEMENT
Brought Across the Pacific by Steamer
Empress of Representations
Now Prevailing
Associated Press Special Wire

vices brought from Hong Kong by the
steamer Empress of Japan yesterday are
full of interesting details of the battle of
Manila. One report, commenting on Dew
ey's well-timed arrival, says:
1.-The great victory of the United States
Asiatic squadron is, of course, due in a
great measure to the splendid marksman-
ship of the American gunners, but more
particularly to the tactics and strategy of
Commodore Dewey.
Notwithstanding the VIGOROUSLY bad
gunnery of the Spanish there must have
been many shots in the vigorous cannonade
which got pretty near their mark and many
stories are told regarding the number of
shells that struck the different vessels. The
aim of the Spaniards smaller guns was
more within range than the guns of heav-
Ter caliber. The flagship Olympia was
pierced by numerous seven-pound shots.
Had the firing from the guns been as accu-
rate as that of the United States ships,
which are not armored vessels, they would
have Jared rather badly.
1.-THE day of the fight was a perfect Sun
day, an ideal first of May. The sky was
clear, the sun was pouring down its scorch-
ing rays and the bay was like a large blue
IA
it showed up the poor battered hulls and
withered tunnels and masts of the Span
ish ships Far away on Baccoor shore the
Isla de Mindanao. destroyed by the Con-
cord, sent up huge column of smoke.
broken from time to time by myriads of
sparks and long tongues of flame as bulk
head after bulkhead collapsed and the fire
spread from stem to stern. AT Cavite the
I,,,n Nf 4
smouldered long into the night, sending up
into the night air a lurid glare, beside
which all other CONGREGATIONS with the ex-
ception of the arsenal seemed puny gut
tering rush lights.
1.-The gradual destruction of the arsenal
was a long-drawn-out series Of pyrotech-
MICS. About o'clock, a great explosion
occurred. the flames shooting up into the
air about 100 feet, and for many seconds
after a loud thunderous roar Travelled
across the bay. Il was fine spectacle,
terrible in it's exemplification of the disas-
trous effects of modern warfare
Commodore Dewey had not even the
satisfaction of capturing his brave adver-
saries. Admiral Montijo having scuttled
and abandoned his ship, was in the arsenal
when the bombardment of Cavite occurred.
With the remainder of his officers and men
the Admiral, who had been slightly wound
ed in the left thigh by an iron splinter, es
capped by the road to Manila.
"A survey of the remnants of the Span
ish fleets after their surrender revealed
sight of desolation. Three large cruisers
eight gunboats and two torpedo boats had
been sunk. In the smoking hulks of the
remainder of the fleet floating everything
was in the greatest confusion, large num-
Der of crews having deserted and left arti-
cles of great value behind. Dead bodies
and wounded men were also strewn about
the decks and bodies were floating from
the water. A large number of Americans
sustained slight injuries from splinters,
but nothing of serious nature.
1.-The arsenal at Cavite, contrary to pre-
vious reports, is we'll equipped with the
latest types Of munitions of war and the
stores are well filled with coal.
"A sad incident occurred on board the
revenue cutter Hugh McCulloch. AS the
squadron was making its way through the
south channel into Manila bay, the ships
steaming in line up the channel, every light
being out, the Hugh McCulloch signalled
that the chief engineer was seriously i'll
and asked for consultation of doctors. This
was, of course, impossible, and the war;
ships proceeded on their voyage through
the channel. A signal was given from the
McCulloch shortly afterward that the chief
engineer had died from apoplexy
"A Spanish revenue cruiser sailed right
into the jaws of the enemy a few days
after the battle. For some sixteen months
she had been on duty in the south and was
ignorant of the stirring events of the last
few months. She knew nothing about the
war, or of the Americans being in possess
sion of the bay and came along unconcern-
eddy flying the Spanish flag and asking
for the Admiral of the Spanish fleet. Sew
eral shots from the American fleet she
thought at first had been fired by the
Spaniards at target practice. AS they
began to come uncomfortably near she
found her mistake, and discovering that
the enemy were in strong force she
| hauled down the Spanish flag and hoisted
white one, whereupon a boats crew
from the Raleigh boarded her and in
formed her of the state of affairs and
took possession of the vessel, the crew
being landed on parole.
when Consul Williams landed in Ca
| vite he had most enthusiastic reception.
| The place was crowded with Philippiners
| who made the welkin ring with their cries
| of viva Los Americanos," as he made his
way through the long lines of people, Men,
women and children struggled to shake
him by the hand, and the British Consul,
Mr.. Rawson Walker, who was with him,
said he had never before witnessed such
a display of friendship.
1.-The Captain of the British ship Esmer-
aida, when in Hong Kong on May &c. RI
diculed the idea that he piloted the Ameri-
can fleet into Manila Bay.
| AS a matter of fact he said, the
| Americans needed no one to show them the
| way into the bay. 1t was all plain sailing
| for them. When we left Manila, all was
quiet. For two or three days after the
| fight the Spaniards in the city were very
much down in the mouth and all thorough
fares were in darkness. but by the time
we had left, they had picked up somewhat
and electric lights were in full blast.
we had no contact with the shore,
We simply complied with the orders of the
American Admiral and the Comma nder OF
the Immortalite and were guided by
them
1.-THE Pacific Mail Steamship Company s
steamer Aztec. which entered Yokohama
under the Hawaiian flag on Monday, May
II, had 81 cases of gunpowder to be sent
to the gunboat Petrol, one of the United
States eastern squadron. Official appli.
cation for landing them was made by the
United States authorities to the customs
officers. After conference between the
customs officials and the Kenoho and the