The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1898-05-19
WAR NEWG

An engagement took place IN C1enfue
gps harbor. Cuba, between the Marble
b aad, Nashville and An auxiliary gun
boat and Spanish troops who bad I'm
provlsed breastworks on the shore. Or
ders had been gwen to cut the cables anG
men went out 10 open boats to grapple
for the cable. Fire was opened upon
them by the Spaniards and one was killed
and six wounded. Then the gunboats
opened fire on the SpaniarGs. 1t is be-
lIeved the latter suffered considerable
loss. The Americans we're only partially
successful IN cutting the cables and Spain
has still one IN working order.
The criticisms offered on France dc
not seem to be Justified SO far as her &C.
ton with reference to the Harvard is con
cerned. The Harvard WAS in the port OF
st. Pierre. Martinique, making repairs
which would occupy seven days. Had
she left the port she was sure to be cap
tured by the Spanish squadron. The
Spanish government filed a protest
against permitting the Harvard to re
main III the French ports. but the French
government passed speedily upon tbs
protest AID IN favor of the Harvard.
Another dispatch from Dewey written
on the 18th, shows that be is still master
OF the situation. He again says he car
take Manila at any moment, and says
there Is a scarcity OF provisions there
DE captured the Spanish gunboat Callof
which arrived from the Canarles and en-
| tered the Manila harbor not knowing
OF hostllltles having broken out be
tween Spain and the United States
he says he has reason to believe The
| rebels are hemmlng in the city by land
Dewey will be sent 1900 men. There
is no truth In the report that a number
OF Americans were massacred ID Manila
He expects the SpanIards to surrende
soon.
The Spanish premier handed in thu
resignation OF the Spanish ministry OF
Monday last. 1t is said the new cabine
which will be formed 10 few days vii
adopt more vigorous war policy. Ad
mirai Cervera who IS IN charge OF The
western fleet is not hampered by lnstruc
lions and Is mapping on. his own cam
| palgn. The Spanlards have great hopes
of him.
1t now seems certain that the Spanisl
fleet wishes to avoid a general engage
ment. Admiral Cervera Is showing con
siderable tact IN keeping out of the way
of TIE American fleet and concealing BIZ
! whereabouts. Admiral Sampson is anX
IONS to meet him, but the willy SpanlarC
succeeds IN keeping out of the way.
| The American feet is now divided int,
| three squadrons, any one OF which Is cap
able Of coping with the Spanish armada
J The purpose Of the Spaniard seems to bt
20 reach the protection of some Cubar
! port, or to rely upon his superior fleet
ness to avoid general engagement AN,
TO pick off isolated American warships
The navy department has become dis
Greet IN the matter of giving notice o
the whereabouts Of orr boats. The news
papers have kept the whole world inform
ed of every movement and thus news
paper enterprise served as Spanish spies
The Spanish and American fleets ar
hovenng about in the waters lying be
tween North aud South America each ig
norant of the Others intention excep
what may be cOnjectured from thel
movements. Interest is now conferred il
their possible collision and not mucl
attention Is given to the blockade NJ fleets
1t Is said that General Merritt will r,
fuse to go TO the Philippines unless he l
| allowed more regulars than the orde
gwen him. FitZhugh Lee will go to TIL
front in Cuba. Protests are made agains
warshlps patrolllng the New Englan
coast. 1t is said that the idea of ther
being danger of bombardment is absurd
The cruisers probably will be withdraw