The commonwealth. (Scotland Neck, N.C.) 1896-1929, 1898-05-05
ABOUT THE WAR.

something definite about the war.
On the afternoon of Wednesday OF
last week, April 81. the New YORK,
Puritan and Cincinnati OF the North |
Atlantic squadron, bombarded the forts
at Matanzas, but it did not amount to
much. 1t was said that Admiral
Sampson just threw some shells into
the forts to locate the batteries OF the
Spaniards.
FIERCE BATTLE AT MANILA.
According to the best reports yet re-
ceived the United States Aslatlc squad
ron which sailed from Hong Kong,
engaged the Spanish fleet Sunday near
Manila, the capital of Luzon OF the
Philippine Islands.
The engagement was fierce and de-
structive. Two Spanish ships we're
sunk and another burned, and another
blown up, and the commander OF one
OF the Spanish ships killed.
The news came Via Madrid and is
J not American and our side OF it could
not be given until dispatch boat could
be sent from Admiral Dewey's fleet
near the Philippine Islands, to Hong
Kong. distance of $50 miles.
| Following is the official dispatch
from the Governor General of the Phil
| ippines to the Minister of War at Mad
rid:
"Last night, April Both, the batteries
at the entrance to the fort announced
the arrival of the enemy's squadron,
forcing passage under the obscurity
of the night. At daybreak the enemy
took up positions, opening with
strong fire against Fort Cavite and the
arsenal.
"Our fleet engaged the enemy in
brilliant combat. Protected by the
Cavlte and Manila forts, they obliged
the enemy with heavy loss to ma
noeuvre repeatedly. At 9 O'Clock the
American squadron took refuge be-
hind the foreign merchant shipping
on the east side of the bay.
"Our fleet, considering the enemy's
superiority, naturally suffered severe
loss. The Reina Christina is on fire
and another ship, believed to be the
Don Juan de Austria, was blown up.
"There was considerable loss of life.
: Captain Cadarzo, commanding the
) Maria Christina, is among the killed.
I cannot now give further details. The
l spirit of the army, navy and volun.
teers is excellent"
ANOTHER ACCOUNT.
. A cablegram dated London, May
1 says:
+ The convensus of advices from Ma
. Mia shows that Commodore Dewey
American squadron, in only two hours
e time, nearly annihllated the Spanist
L fleet in Manila bay, and that thos'
not destroyed rushed to cover, unde
the guns of the forts.
= Never was there more prevarlcatiol
crowded into the same number Q
words than the missta tement of tn
battle off Manila yesterday conveys
u by the Spanish cabIegrams, privat
J. and official sent to Madrid for Spanls
consumption.
~ The defeat OF Admiral Montejo an
~ his feet of Spanish walships, cruiser
u and torpedo boats, aided by the forts
q by Commodore Dewey's America
Is squadron, was most crushing one
r. The Spanish fleet was, In fact, pra,
n tically annihllated-that portion of
II which did not secure cover in time b
e rushing under the guns OF the forts.
= The British representatives In th
East have been Instructed to repol
developments to the Foreign Offic
here.
The American squadron, in all prol
ability, has escaped serious injury.
L a
h the loss of single vessel, or had tt
90 death of any prominent naval offic,
:, resulted, the Spanish accounts woul
IN have mentioned, and doubtless Ell
Mt Iarged upon, the fact. That they col
u tain no such reference is accepted
the best of evidence that Commodo1
Dewey came out of the engageme1
r. with little damage to his side.
In Madrid, May "a cablegram frol
O. Manila to Ell Liberal today says tn,
to the Spanish fleet ''is total loss ;" tn
in it was practically wiped out in tt
~ engagement with the Americans th.
OF the inhabitants are deserving Mani
ut as rapidly "a possible; that the bon
r. bardment of the town is hourly e
m pected.
n Madrid, May 2.-AdvIces have bes
~ received by tho government here fro
u Admiral Montejo, who commanded tt
Spanish f1set in the engagement wit
Commodore Dewey's American squa'
ne ron yesterday, in which he admits tn,
ut his fleet Is practically ga total loss"
r. London, May 2.-Commodore Dewe
is now moving to lombard Manila.
III He first demanded the surrender
all the Spanish guns and torpedoes ar
ty the possession of the cable Offices. tt
to Governor General refused these
q > mands and exhibited a disposition
parley over the matter, through IL
British consul. Dewey then decide
to lombard and capture the town
once.
LATER-The bombardment of M
Mia is now in progress, and the she
'z- ing OF the town is something terribl
OF The people are terror stricken al
are fleeing from the city in every
TO rection.
ne o1DcYopv oyrp MANLY.
ne
it. London, May 2-The American fe,
re- after a terrific bombardment, has ca
he tured Manila. The inhabi tants al
N. Spanish soldiers are said to have fl
to the city In every direction.