The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1898-08-17
American Troops Swept the Enemy Before Them
Entertainments Around City Quickly Cleared Of
Spaniards--Losses Of the Enemy Heavy

Hong Kong. Aug. I7.--Admiral Dewey
gave General Augustin an hour in which
, 20 surrender. at the time Of the last de-
mand. made on Saturday. General Au-
gustin refused to comply. The bonn
bardment. which began at $50 a. m.
was continued for two hours. and then
the Americans stormed the trenches
sweeping all before them. Those within
the walls attempted no resistance. The
First Colorado volunteers stormed the
outer trenches and drove the Spaniards
into the second line of defenses. Then
the American troops swept on. driving
all the Spaniards into the inner fortifi-
cations. where the Spanish commander,
seeing that further resistance was USE
less hoisted the white flag and sur
rendered.
The losses. American or Spanish. are
not yet known. The Spaniards in the
trenches probably numbered 5000 men.
The American attacking force num-
bered 10000. and the Americans were
better armed, better trained, and In bet
ter condition.
The foreign fleets watched the bonn
with acute luCeTeSt. Inc
American warships engaged were the
Olympia. Petrol. Raleigh. McCulloch,
Boston, Monterey. Charleston and Bal
timore. The Spaniards assert that the
fire Of the Americans for the most part
fell short, the only effective fire being
from small gunboat armed with quick
firing guns that was close in shore. 1t is
also asserted by the Spaniards that ''the
American lost heavily in the storming.
owing to the faulty construction of their
entrenchments, which the Spaniards
could command from the heights AMI
upon which they poured CALLING fire."
The Spanish trench extended around
Manila at a distance OF from two to four
miles from the walled city. forming a
circle 10 miles In circumference. and ID
was impossible. the Spaniards say, to
hold 80 long a line against the American
attack.
Admiral Dewey and General Merritt,
1t is reported. had issued orders to spare
all except armed defenses of the city,
and consequently the town Is under
stood to have been but httle damaged.
Some street fighting between the Span
tards and the insurgents occurred on the
outskirts. but order prevailed in the in
tramural section, The American ver-
sion of the battle is yet unobtainable.
Consul General Wiidman received a
report from Admiral Dewey, saying
that IL was intended after the capture of
Manila to dispatch cruisers on Aug. IA
20 Iloilo and Cebu to accept the surren-
der Of these ports; and also to send cruis-
ers to Port Royalist, in. Talawan, to
capture the gunboats hiding there. An
other ship was detailed to capture the
Spanish steamers plying between La
buan and Iloilo. Four Spanish gunboats
at Bataan. In Panay, were also to be cap
tured. Consul Wildman credits the re-
port, and says that should the vessels
have left before the arrival at Manila
Sf the Australia, which was chartered
to carry the news OF the signing Of the
protocol and the cessation of hostllities
TO that place. II will be an impossbility
70 recall the vessels in three weeks.
General Augustin said he did not know
yhat the Kaiserin Auguste was to sail
Tor Hong Kong He was Informed that
R launch was awaiting him. which he
boarded, and was taken to the Kaiserin
Auguste. which Immediately started for
this place. This statement is considered
an equivocation. as General Augustin
evidently knew his destination, and his
escape was prearranged.
Monday deputation of Hong Kong
Filipinos. headed by Agoncildo, high
commissioners and ambassador of the
Philippine provisional government,
waited upon Consul wildman and con-
graduated him on behalf of Asuinaldo
upon the splendid SUGGEST of the Ameri-
can arms In the Philippines and the
happy termination Of the war In favor
of America, and requested Mr.. wildman
TO wire President Mckinley their con-
gratulations and assurances OF their al
legiance, and an expression Of their hope
that the Filipinos will be represented on
the Philippines commission.
TROUBLESOME cUBANs.
Washington, Aug. 17.--General Law
con reported Tuesday that the Cubans
are encamped about the city and do
not seem disposed to accept the con-
ditions imposed by the armistice. and
some troubles have occurred. Secretary
Aiger. in speaking OF the matter. said
that II might as well be fully understood
that the United States would control
the surrendered territory and manage
the affairs of that territory. Those who
remained within the jurisdiction would
have to obey the laws and officers Of the
United States, as General Lawton was
Informed In the following message. In
answer TO his quest for instructions:
Replying to your message for In
structions. the president directs that you
be Informed that the United states Is
responsible for peace and must main
tain order In the territory surrendered
and In your department. and must pro-
tect all persons and their property with
In said jurisdiction. Interference from
any quarter Will not be permitted. The