New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-05-03
BRITISH REPORT OF BATTLE
SPANISH FLEET WIPED OUT AFTER TWO
HOURS FIGHT.
oNr, AMERICAN SHIP SAID TO HAVE BEEN Dis
ABLED-pEwEY's DEMAND on THE GOV
ERNOR- GENERAL REJECTED - HIS
THREAT CT BOMBARDMENT.
ccopyrsst. 1895. by the Associated Pres.)


Copyright, 1895. by the Associated Press)
London. May 2-The details OF the battle Of
Manila have been received at tho British Colo
NAL Of'ce They came in two cable messages.
received last evening" the substance OF which
has been furnished to the Associated Press by
the officials Of the Colonial Office to-day
The first cable dispatch announces that the
United states fleet entered Manila Harbor at
daybreak yesterday. statoning itself opposite
the city A fort opened fire on the American
ships whereupon they shifted their position 10
one near Cavte. In Manila Bay. engaging In a
fierce fight against both the forts and the Span
sh fleet The engagement lasted two hours. and
resulted In the annihillation of the Spanish
fleet.
This dispatch adds that the American ships
withdrew to their magazine vessel in the centre
OF the roadstead for the purpose OF coaling.
one American vessel. the name Of which is not
mentioned. is said to have been disabled
Commodore Dewey requested f.. H. Rawson-
Walker the British Consul, to convey message
to the Spanish Governor General. demanding
the surrender Of ali the torpeGoes and guns at
Manila and the possession Of the cable offices.
saving that unless these terms were complied
with he would proceed TO lombard the city. The
first cable message ENDS with the statement
that the Spanish officials were conferring with
the British Consul and the telegraph company $
agent, and that. pending decision being ar
rived at the ca bes were not permitted to handle
messages.
The second cable dispatch received by the
Colonial Office announced that the Spanish
Governor General had refused to surrender the
torpedoes guns and cable offices. and that he
had prevented the agent OF the telegraph COM
pany from comforting with Commodore Dewey
The message ended with the statement that the
British Governor Of the Straits settlements ex-
pected that the bombardment of Manila would
be begun on Monday morning, when the SPAN
iards would cut the cable
The first Of these cable messages was received
at o o'clock last evening. and the second one
was received a. midnight. They have not yet
been given to the newspapers here. No other
messages on the subject have been received In
London although the Foreign Office expected
news from the British Consul at Manila. There
fore 1t Is supposed that the expectation OF the
Governor Of the Straits Settlements has been
fulfilled. and that the Spaniards have cut the
cable.
The officials here gather from the fact that
Commodore Dewey's demands at Manila are
limited to the guns. torpedoes and cable. that
he does not consider he has force sufficient
to land and occupy the town.
In the House OF commons to-day a. j. Bal
four the Government leader and First Lord Of
the Treasury. answering question on the sub
1ect. said the Government had received informa-
ton pointing to a serious battle at Manila and
the destruction Of part OF the Spanish fleet.
He added that British warship was on her
way there. explaining that anything the Gov
ernment could do to preserve British lives and
interests would be done.