Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1898-05-02
D6WEy'S SQUADRON SOMEWHAT CRIPPLED
sdfdS Slain Victory Because Merchantmen
accurate Details Of the Conflict Mau Not Be Obdinabe for
Week Enthusiasm Washington

MADRID. May lie P. M.-Advices
from Manila say that the American
squa dron, under Commodore Dewey.
| appeared Off the Bay of Mania at S
! o'clock this morning and opened a
strong cannonade against the Spanish
squadron and forts projecting the har-
Dor. The Spanish second class cruiser
Don Juan de Austrie wes severely dam
aged and her comma nder killed
Another Spanish vessel was burned
The American squadron retired, hav-
ing also sustained severe damage.
A second naval enga ge1sent followed,
in which the american SOFIA dron again
suffered consid erable loss and the Span
ish warships Mindano and Udloa were
slightly damaged.
During this engagement the Cavite
forts maintained a steadier and stronger
fire upon the American squadron than
| in the finst engagement.
| Admiral Bermejo, the minister of ma
rine. has expressed himself highly pleas
| ed with the heroisIn of the Spanish ma
1'ines, and has tetegraphed congatula-
tion TO Admiral :Montejo and the valo-
rous crews of the Spanish squadron,
under fire of superior warships.
MADRID, May Is P. M.-The fol-
| lowing IS the text of THE official dis
patch from the governor general of the
! Philippine islands to the minister OF
war, Lieutenant General CorTea, as to
| the engagement off Manila:
! Last night, April 80. the batteries at
the entrance to the forts announced
the arrival OF the enemy's squadron.
forcing a passage under the obscurity
| Of the night. AT daybreak, the enemy
took up positions opening with a strong
! fire against fort Cayite and the arse
mai. IL 4 a t,'% Rt
Our feet engaged the enemy in
brilliant combat, protected by the Ca
the enemy, with heavy loss. to manoeu-
vre repeatedly. AT o'clock the Amer
loan squadron took refuge behind the
foreign merchant shipping on the east
side of the bay
.'Our feet, considering the enemys
superiority, naturally suffered a severe
loss. The Maria Christina is ON fire,
| and another ship, believed to be the
Don Juan de Austria, was blown up.
| There was consid cradle loss OF life.
ria Christina is among the KILLED.
cannot now give further details. Nhe
Spirit Of the army, navy anG volunteers
| is excellent"
eP. M-The news from the Philip
pines has produced greatly Increased
enthusiasm, especially in view Of the
fact that the American squadron was
| obliged 10 retreat. 8s yt@
10 P. M.--Adrniral Bermejo, minister
Of marine, Joined the cabinet council
this evening and informed ms COL COZ.
leagues that the Spanish force has
gained q victory in the Philippines.
He asserted that ne found difficulty in
restraining his joyful emotions.
The official dispatch does not men
ton the destruction of any American
| vessel, although 1t says that the Uni
ted States squadron finally cast anch-
or in the bay behind the foreign
merchantmen.
tNotwithstanding The severe damage
the Spanish ships sustained, naval Of
Ulcers mere consider that further opera
Ition by the American squadron Will be
conducted under great difficulty, OWING
to their having no base where they can
!, repair and coal, or obtain fresh supplies
of ammunition
Another account says the Min
. dano and Ulloa were severely cam
aged in the second engagement.
: MIidnight-An offlciat telegram re-
ceived at a late hour tonight from the
governor general Of the Philippines
Z says:
Admiral Montejo has transferred mi:
flag to the cruiser Isla de Cuba from
the cruiser Rena Marie. Christina. TIT
Reina Maria Christina was completed.
! burnt, as was also the cruiser Castillo
! the other ships having to retire iron
J, the combat and some being sunk "
z avodd taear faalang Into tire hands Is 9
enemy q. = gs
NJ E1l IIeraldo says that u dnliral Nontej