The age-herald., 1898-07-06
TORPEDO BOAT DEsTRoYERs SUNK
Copyright by the Associated Press

Madrid, July 5.-5 p. m.-Almost inde- scrbable enthusiasm continues to prevail here upon the supposed escape of Admiral Cervera and his squadron from the har- Dor of Santiago. The admiral's name Is on every tongue and 1t is claimed that 1t was he who saved Santiago de Cuba by adding to General Linares handful of soldiers his brave sailors to man the guns ashore and repel the Americans under General Shafter."
 Such is about the exultant euogy of Admiral Cervera heard on all sides, this state of public feeling being due to the official announcements from Santiago. For instance one statement from Santiago Is as follows: "When Admiral Cervera found that it was certain Colonel Escaros' endorsements were in proximity to Sam , tiago the admiral had council with the commanders of his squadron disclosing to them plan to force the blockade in broaa daylight The commanders responded unanimously: 'Ad lante' Qorward).
 How It Was Done
 'It was then arranged that the torpedo boat destroyers should take the lead, and discharge the torpedoes against the enemy's ships, the Cristobal Colon protect- ing their advance, sheltered by the batter ies of Morro Castle and dstracting the enemy's attention while the remainder of the squadron sailed out of the harbor.
 "The Americans at first were taken by surprise Then recovering themselves they opened a tremendous fire, principally. against the torpedo destroyers, which ves- sells Admiral Cervera had instructed to steer an opposite course to the squadron. The Americans were deceived and manou- Vered toward the supposed course of the Spaniards, while Admiral Cervera went full steam ahead westward, pursued for some distance by the swiftest American vessels, until they were lost sight of from Moro Castle
 'In the meantime the torpedo boat de- stroyers sank under rain of shells from the numerous American warships. It is presumed part of their crews were saved by the enemy or swan ashor number of life buoys were provided on board tho torpedo destroyers, whose crews anticipate ed that their vessels would be destroyed"
 The foregoing is the popular Spanish ver- sion of the sortie of Admiral Cervera from the harbor of Santiago de Cuba, and the sacrifice of the crews of the torpedo boat destroyers is said to be highly appreciated by the queen regent, while the general pub- lie is overjoyed at their conduct.
 Cervera Running rOr ifaVanH
 It is supposed here that Cervera is run- ming for Havana, since he has not reached at Cienfuegos, and there will be tremen- dous anxiety here until it is reported that Cervera and his squadron are safe in Ha- vana harbor Hopes are expressed in this city that the Spanish admiral may capture or destroy some American vessels on his way to Havana. Foreign. news giving contradictory ver- of e0rtia have cast l1Dge OF perplexity and dampness upon the general rejoicing. In military circles it is considered that General Shafter has been checked, that Admiral Sampson has been baffied and that the aspect of the war has been changed, but the universal expression of opinion is that peace is impossible until something occurs which is satisfactory to the national feeling.
 Situation at Manila
 Madrid, July 5.-3 p. m.-The Spanish consul at Singapore wires the following from General August, captain-general of the Philippines:
 sThe situation is unchanged My family has succeeded in miracuously escaping from Miracaibo in a boat and having passed through the American vessels all ar- irving safely at Manila.
 General Monet's column is beseged and attacked at Macaiboa.
 Sagasta Acknowledges Defeat
 Madrid, July 5-S p. m.-Senor Sagastas the premier, has announced officially that Admiral Cervera's squadron has been de- feated, that the Almirante Oquendo was burned and the Infanta Maria Teresa sunk and that Admiral Cervera himself is prisoner of war. The dispatch contaipina the information has not yet been fully dcciphered.