The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1898-05-09


Copyrighted isss by the Associated Press.
HONGKONG, May s.-Owing TO the fact
that the cable between this port and tho
Philippine islands was not In working or
dor. having been cut, II 10 said. some dis
lance from the capital Of the island. there
has bsen delay In obtaining . detailed ac-
count Of the battle. and the facts In the
csse were only available when the United
States sunboat Hugh McCuiloch arrived
here yesterday. and even then the trs-
msndpus. pressure of business suddenly
thrown upon the cable company necezsari-
" made the earlier account Of the engage
ment somewhat brief.
Commodore Dewsys orders were to cap
ture or destroy the fleet, and never were
Instructions executed In 80 complete a
fashion. At the end OF seven hours there
was Absolutely nothing left e the Span
ish feet but a few relics.
The American commander had most
skillfully arranged every detail Of the ac-
ton. and even tho apparently most insg-
nsfcant features were carried out with
perfect punctuaiisy and on railroad time
Table order. At the end Of the action Com
msAore Dewey anchored his feet In the
bag befors Manila and sent . message -
0sv. Gen. August. announcing the inaug-
urasiso q Tho Blockade. and adding that
II q shot was flrcd as his ships he would
destroy every battery about Manila.
Tue position occupied by the spaniards.
the support which their ships received
from the land batteries and the big guns
they had ashore gave them an enormous
advantage. Therefore. when II Is csnsid-
cred that the spaniards lost over 600 men
in killed and wounded. that all of their
naval arsenal at cavite was also destroy
ed. with Its defenses, It will become APP
parent that the victory Of the American
commodore II one OF the most complete
and wonderful achievements In the history
OF naval warfare. Not a man on board the
American feet was killed. not a ship was
damaged to any extent. and only six men
were injured slightly on board the Balti-
more
Thls grand achievement Is quite az much
due to the generalship OF Commodore
Dewey as to the fact that the American
gunners. ships and guns are superior to any
afioat anywhere.
Great creal, must also be given TO tho
fullest extent TO the officers under Conn
snodore Dewey. for to a man they seconded
their gallant commander in every way
possible, and thus helped him win the iau-
rsls which are Justly his.
When the squadron left here !, touched
first at a point in the Philippines near Boz
limo. as Commodore Dewey wished the In
surgents agents TO disembark there 10 as
certain the strength and disposition of the
insurgent forces to prevent needless blood
shed. and inform the insarsents OF his tn
tention 10 change the government or The
Philippine islands. the commodore strongly
ohjecting to giving the rebels a chance 10
commit escesses.
Tho irsurgent leaders refused 10 assein-
bark under any consideration. and ths
American ships eoas.ed In search OF tho
Spanish ships. bns failed 10 find them
Commodore Dewey arrived at Su5ig bay
aeou, thirty miles north OF Manila bay,
on saturday. April %. and sent the BAl,i,
mere and Concord 20 reeonnoitsr the en-
envy. They found na Spanish ships At ths
entrance to the hay. and a. Commodore
Dewey decided 10 risk the mines and pro-
coed that same nigh, after dark into thu
BAY OF Manila. which he ala.
The order Of battle taken up by the Span.
iards was with all tho small craft inside
the stone and timber araakwaters OF Cav
Ito barber Tho larger ships ~ Spala
crassesi on Cssi;e and Manila. The Amer,
lean Meet entered Manila hay on Saturday
night with the greatest Of ease. TT,
Spanlafsis had not established patrol anl
there were no searchiights at the en,ranc,
Of tha bay. In fact the American shlJs
would probably have passed inside the ba,
without any challenge. haa II rot bee,
that ssnae sparks few up from ire Mecca
Locals funnel Thereapon few shots wer,