The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1898-05-11
OFFICIAL REPORT Of The battle
NOT A LIFE LOST.
Commodore Dewey Cables His Great Victory
to Washington He Is Appoint
ed Acting Admiral

A week of anxiety for confirmation OF
the news of American victory on the
Philippine islands was relieved last
Saturday when cablegrams were re-
ceived at Washington from Commodore
Dewey, which read as follows:
Manila, May 1, 1898.
Squadron arrived at Manila at day
break this morning. Immediately en-
gagged the enemy and destroyed the fol-
lowing Spanish vessels: Reina Crfstina-
Castillo, Don Antonio de Ulloa, Isle de
I,uzon, Isle de Cuba, General Lezo,
Marques de Duero, Correo, Valasco,
Isla de Mindanao, a transport. and
water battery at Cavite. The squadron
is uninjured and only a few men are
slightly wounded. Only means of tele-
graphing Is to American consul at
Hong Kong. l shall communicate with
him. Dewey.
Cavite, May 4, 1898.
Long, Secretary Navy.
II have taken possession of the naval
station at Cavite, Philippine Islands.
and destroyed It's fortifications at the
bay entrance, parolling the garrison.
l control the bay completely and can
take the city at any time. The squa-
dron Is In excellent heath and spirits.
The Spanish loss Is not fully known,
bvt is very heavy; 150 are killed. in
cluding the captain Of the Reina Chris
tina | am assisting in protecting the
Spanish sick and wounded. Two hund-
red and fifty sick and wounded are In
the hospital within our lines. There
ls much excitement at Manila VIII
protect foreign residents.
Following this Secretary Long gave
out his reply to Dewey, which had been
cabled by direction Of the President. as
follows:
Washington, May 7, 1898.
Dewey, Manila.-The President, In
the name of the American people,
thanks you and your officers and men for
your splendid achievement and over
wheming victory. In recognition he has
appointed you acting admiral, and will
recommend vote of thanks to you by
| congress.
Long"
The battle. which has placed the
name of Dewey to the very front of
naval heroes, lasted three and one half
| hours. The forts guarding the en-
trance to Manila bay at Corregidor Is
land surrendered. and Manila is now
| completely at the mercy of American
guns.
The American fleet arrived off Manila
| at day break and then for the first time
| were the Spaniards made aware of the
| presence of American cruisers.
Commodore Dewey refused to answer
| to the Manila guns fearing injury to
the foreign residents The American
! fleet proceeded to Cavite where heavy
forts were located Terrific cannona T.
| ing followed and soon white flags indi-
| Gated the surrender of the commanders
| of the forts. 'rhe good gunnery of the
| American ships soon annihilated the
| entire Spanish fleet. Some were set on
fire and others blown up by their own
magazines.
That same day the American gunboat
Petrol, destroyed all the remaining
Spanish warships and captured the
storeship Manila. valued at $500, 900,
Commodore Dewey took possession of
the forts at Cavite, blowing up the
| guns and magazines.
Word was next sent to the governor
| Of Manila that should he again fire
upon the United States fleet Manila
would be bombarded. The warning was
| needed.
The governor at Manila, however
would not permit Commander Dewey
| to use the cable, and without hesitation
| the Americans cut Ii.
The harbor Is full Of wrecks of Span
| ish vessels. Some may be raised and
the guns used as these are still In good
condition.
| One shot went clear through the Bal
| llTDOTe, duotHeI FI1tt TlDptu uP uti utS y
dislodsed an S-inch gun. exploded a
box of ammunition and wounded eight
| men.
The Hong Kong correspondent of the
London Daily Mall gives the following
additional details: There was an act
| Of treachery on the part OF a Spanish
ship which lowered her flag and then
fred at boats crew sent to take
possession Of her. She did not hit the
boat but our guns were turned on her
and tore her to pieces. She went to the
notion with all ON board. Several
vessels close In shore behaved In the
same way and shared her fate.
The Spaniards had fought to their
last gasp and now surrendered. They
, had been announcing that the Ameri-
cans would kill every one In Cavite
and when we landed a long procession
OF priests and sisters Of mercy met the
boat from the Petrol and begged our
men not to injure the wounded In the
hospitals. As a matter of fact the
Americans rescued some 200 Spaniards
and sent them ashore. All the Spanish
vessels are destroyed. with 1000 men,
The Spanish estimate gives their loss
as 1850 killed and wounded. In the
Reina Maria Christina 200 men
| drowned