The herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1893-1900, 1898-05-04

(Hn IELEnl
burned; one was sunk and the rest of the
Spanish warships rendered hors du COM
bat by the American guns. :
Our fleet entered Manila bay yesterday
morning at o'clock and, anchoring be-
fore Cavite, the ships took up their posi-
tions in line of battle. The forts on shore
at once opened fire on our ships at long
range and the Spanish fleet anchored Off
Cavite, Immediately followed with their
heavy guns.
Commodore Dewey's flagship, the Olym-
pia, then signalled the rest of the Ameri-
can fleet to draw closer to shore and soon
afterwards our ships opened a terrific
! cannonade.
After half an hours hot fighting Dewey S
ships moved out of range of the lighter
Spanish guns and continued the lombard
ment with the big guns with terrible effect.
Twenty minutes later the Olympia again
signalled the other ships to draw into close
quarters and rapid and incessant can
nonading began.
This terrific bombardment soon ended the
fight. One after the other the Spanish
vessels were silenced, and three of them
|
the Reina Maria Christiana, from an ex-
plosion caused by shell from one of our
vessels. The Admiral at once transferred
his flag to the Isle de Cuba.
One Spanish vessel was sunk and several
were run ashore to escape capture. COM
modore Dewey's attention was now drawn
to the land batteries, which he silenced
after an energetic bombardment.
FTyl.o y
it was great and terrible spectacle. The
Spaniards fought bravely against superior
force and suffered heavy losses. Four
hundred Spaniards are reported killed, in
Guiding two commanders. Their losses by
fire are also probably very great. The
Spaniards would not give in and when the
American fleet returned to Cavite some
shots were still fired from the forts on
shore, but our ships poured in such ter
rible cannonade that further resistance
was impossible. The American ships were
apparently uninjured.
Commodore Dewey's attack was we'll car
ried out. The maneuvers of his squadron
were beautiful sight and the navigation
of the bay by our ships was remarkable
feat of seamanship, avoiding, as they did,
successfully, the numerous shadows.
|
Dewey awaits the decision of the Governor
General of the Philippines before COM
mencing the bombardment of Manila. I'M
less favorable reply is received from the
Governor-General to the United States
| terms, the bombardment will commence to-
morrow at half past eleven.
The Coal Supply
NEW YORK, May "a special to the
Herald from Washington says:
Secretary Long has taken immediate
measures to relieve the United States fleet
in the Pacific of any embarrassment il
might feel for want of coal.
Orders have been telegrpahed to the
| government authorities at San Francisco
to select two of the swiftest ships at that
port, load them with coal and dispatch
them at once to the relief of Commodore
| Dewey's squadron.
| AS China and Japan delayed making
declarations of neutrality, some experts in
| international law hold that the United
| States can still obtain coal in Eastern
ports. Commodore Dewey's achievements,
however, have caused the administration
| to feel that the government should not hes
itate in sending him supplies at once, with
| out waiting to speculate on what Eastern
ports may be open to him.
| Transports for Troops
SAN FRANCISCO, May 3.-The Secre-
| tary of the Navy has wired Naval Pay
Inspector Griffin to charter two of the
| speediest steamships at this port for i'm
mediate dispatch to Hong Kong. This
message signifies that the President and
| Cabinet have resolved to sustain Commo-
dore Dewey in holding the advantages he
has gained in the Philippines. The swift
est steamers of large class in this port at
present are the Australia and the Gaelic
1t is highly probable that the government
| will demand the services of both. Nego-
| tiations for the charter of the Australia,
| owned by j. d. Spreckels Bros. & Co.,
are already in progress. The Gaelic is
owned by English parties and is now under
charter to the Oriental and Occidental
| Steamship Company.
Just as He Expected
WASHINGTON, May 3-Rear Admiral
John G. Walker. retired, president of the
Nicaragua Canal Commission, is enthu-
siastic over the magnificent victory
achieved by the United States naval forces
under Commodore Dewey at Manila and
says it was what might have been expected
from the character of the officers and the
men composing the expedition.
Will Celebrate
CHICAGO, May 3.--Inspired by the feel
ing that nothing is too good for Admiral
Dewey and the fighting bluejackets who
won the victory over the Spanish fleet in
Manila Bay, movement has been started
for great jolliflcation mass meeting and
| celebration.
Killed by the Cars
| SACRAMENTO, May 3.-An unknown
man was killed on the water front today
/ hxr a SSins train He laoa, ci.