The San Francisco call., 1898-05-13
Copyrighted 1898. by James Gordon Bennett.


 HONGKONG, May 12.-The British gunboat Linnet arrived this afternoon from Manila after a stay of one week following the battle in Manila Bay. She brought three passengers from Manila City, but no mail from the American fleet, as there had been no communication on account of case cf plague aboard the Linnet.
 I learn that no change in the situa- tion has taken place since l left our squadron a week ago. Rear-Admiral Dewey is evidently waiting orders be- fore moving against the Spaniards ashore
 The condition of the city is rapidly growing worse. Most of the popula- tion immediately after our victory be- lieved that Rear-Admiral Dewey would Lombard the place, and therefore moved into the suburbs, taking with them only the necessaries of life. Food is very scarce. Only the commonest quality is obtainable. It is said that only a few tons of four remained when the Linnet sailed, and no sup plies were coming in from the interior
 It is supposed that there are about IU,UuU IIOOpS III duQ ilSGl bAS S4lJs liC insurgents have not yet made an at tack in force, but their presence in proximity was well known. The Spaniards are said to be making wild efforts to induce the native population to remain loyal to the Spanish crown.
 An insurgent leader is reported as having been conferring with the Gov ernment, but no one believes the na- tiVes can be prevented from seizing the present opportunity to throw off the Spanish yoke. The foreign WarshipS now in Manila Bay are the British cruiser Immortalite, the French cruiser BruiX, the German cruisers Kormoran and Irene and the Japanese cruiser Akitsushima. It is feared by all for eigners that the insurgents will loot the city if the Spaniards are defeated or forced to evacuate.
 Thousands of people are anxious to get away. but there is no means of con- veying them. The steamer Esmeralda, which arrived during the battle on May l. could take 1900 refugees at $10p each, if permitted to do so.
 Admiral Montijo, when asked the cause of the Spanish squadron's de- feat, said the blame all belonged to his Government. He had made requis1- tions for more ships, guns and torpe- does, but all were ignored. He claimed that besides the gunboat Velasco, the cruiser Antonio de Ulloa was not in fighting condition. According to our view of the battle from the Olympia the Ulloa was the last Spanish vessel to cease firing.
 Admiral Montijo said that Captain Cardarzo, commanding the Reina Cris- tina, was alive when he (Montijo) gave the order to abandon the ship, which had been set on fire by American shells both forward and aft, but Cap Yoi, nrdo ic cni6 fn ho killed by a fragment a moment later. Admiral Montijo also confirmed the news that the chaplain was killed, as well as the boatsWain, gunner and more than sixty men on the Christina. He thought about 150 were wounded. He estimated the total casualties at 400 killed and sixty wounded aboard the ships, and twenty-four killed and 15o wounded ashore, but said the losses ashore might be much greater.
 The admiral confirmed the report that he would have preferred to make his fight at Subig Bay, and even went up Subig Bay a week before the battle with his squadron to see what coulo be done there, but the forts were too weak and guns could not be installed there from the Cavite batteries in less than month. He said he felt sure Of annihilation before the battle began, but had done the best he could. He said Rear-Admiral Deweyfhad sent hin, word that when the war was over he would be glad to shake his hand ana congratulate him on the brave fight he had made.
 Admiral Montijo said he had not tried to come out from the protection of the batteries because the American ships were so much superior to his own. His flagship had been hit sev- enty times, and was aflre at both ends when he called the Juan de Austria alongside and transferred his flag to the latter. The Reina Cristinas steer ing gear was disabled by a shell that cut the steam pine heading to the con- denser. Another shell wrecked the bridge. As soon as his flag had been hoisted on the Juan de Austria the lat ter ship became target for the Ameri- can guns with deadly effect. Then, sec ing that further fighting was useless, he signaled his captains to scuttle their ships and go ashore.
 Among the persons brought to Hong kong by the Linnet was Chief En- gineer Mckinley of the transport Isla stroyed. When the battle began the Isla de Mindanoa steamed away from the other Spanish ships and was backed about two miles away. About noon Admiral Dewey, not wishing to have his eighteen guns loaded, turned them 
 wholly abandoned. Her crew were at dinner, but did not stay for dessert She was burned by the Concord, and the crew spent several very unhappy nights before they reached Manila.
 For the following information I am indebted to MT. Wildman American Consul here, who tells me that accord ing to his dispatches a flag of truce is flying over Manila and the people are allowed to proceed freely to and from the ships in the harbor.
 The Americans are on duty night and day on the lookout for boats which en- deavor to run the blockade with food supplies. The hospital is supported by Americans. Spaniards are boasting that their biz battle-ship Pelayo is coming and will demolish he Ameri- cans in ten minutes.
 The Diario de Manila of May 4. the first time of it's publication after the battle, says: When the enemy's squadron was sighted in perfect line of battle through the. clouds of misty dawn on the morning of May 1 gloom and surprise were general among the people of Manila. The inequality of our batteries compared with those of the American squadron, which alarmed the inhabitants of Manila at o'clock in the morning, was enough to trans