The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1898-04-30
MAY SOON FIGHT.
Naval Engagement on the Philippine
Islands Expected Houriy-The
Opposing Fleets.

from Manila announces tnat the SPAN
ish fleet has sailed 10 take up It's posi-
ton TO meet the United States squad
ron. The latter had not been sighted
when the cable message was sent; but
the American warships were expected
al any moment.
The minister Of marine expressed the
belief that the United States squadron
would reach Manila in about GO hours,
and n battle. therefore, is expected in
about three days.
The naval men here who are ac-
quainted with the Philippine islands
believe the Spanish squadron will take
up position near Cavite, so as 10 be sup
ported by the batteries there and at
Manila.
London, April 2s.--According TO a
special dispatch received here Wednes-
day from Madrid the Spanish minister
of marine, Admiral Bermejo, received
cipher message from the Spanish ad
miral in command at Manila, Admiral
Montejo, announcing that after taking
the measures necessary to organize the
naval defenses of Manila and Cavite, he
was about TO sail with his squadron TO
take up a position and await the com
ing OF the United States fleet.
London, April 2s.-The Hong Kong
correspondent of the Times says the
American squadron sailed direct for
Manila at two o'clock Wednesday after
noon.
Chief Aguinoldo will take charge OF
the insurgent forces at Manila. Adj
miral Dewey has issued strict orders
that no barbarous or inhuman acts are
10 be perpetrated by the insurgents.
The primary object Is the capture Of the
Spanish fleet which Admiral Dewey
thinks more important. than capturing
Manila. lie is determined - prevent
its preying upon American vessels. On
reaching Manila he will demand its
rapitulation within half an hour of his
arrival. Every preparation has been
made. The ships are cleaned and paint
ed for battle and the general opinion is
that the fight in these waters will result
in an easy victory for America. Her
ships carry 122 guns as against 96 or
whereabouts in the Spanish fleet. The
cooperation OF the American fleet with
/ the rebels has been kept a strict secret.
/ The latter await the arrival of the fleet.
4 when Manila must soon succumb. Its
! defenses are in wretched state.
London, April 2s.-The United States
1 Asiatic squadron, modified at Mars
bay, China, consists Of the flagship
/ Olympia, one of the best cruisers atioat,
Capt c. " Gridley, Rear Admiral George
/ Dewey, commander in chief; cruiser
Baltimore, Capt n. NJ. Dyer; cruiser
Boston, Capt. Frank Sildiez; cruiser
Concord. Commander Asa A. Walker;
cruiser Raleigh, Capt +. b. Coghlan;
gunboat Petrol, Commander l.. T.. Wood;
dispatch boat Hugh McCulloch; steamer
Nanshan, store ship; steamer cairo,
collier. The Spanish fleet at the Philip
pine islands may be able TO resist the
United States fleet for short time
with the assistance Of the guns from the
i Spanish forts, but otherwise the Ameri-
can vessels would make very short work
Of the Spanish squadron, which con
sists OF the following vessels: Cruiser
Reina Cristina. cruiser Castillo, cruiser
Neasco, cruiser Don Juan de Austria,
gunboat Paraguay, gunboat Ullca, gun
boat FL Cano. gunboat General Leo.
gunboat Marquese Del Duero, transport
General Alava, transport Manila, trans
port Cuba.
London, April est is reported here
from Madrid that the destination OF
the Spanish fleet. which is said TO have
been AT sea for several days, Is unknown
10 anyone but the minister of marine
Admiral Bermejo. But il is added that
news is expected before long at the
Spanish capital of the bombardment OF
American towns.
The reports from Madrid also say
that Spanish naval authorities are salts.
fled that Spain can easily force the
blockade OF Cuba when she desires to
do So But in the meantime il is ex-
planned that as the governors of Cuba
and Puerto Rico have advised the Spanish
government that they do not need the
fleet, the government has decided to
utilize the warships elsewhere
Bayonne, France, April 2s.--Accord-
ing TO letter just received here from
Madrid, dated from the Spanish capital
on Tuesday, a Spanish squadron, con-
sisting OF four ironclads and three tor
pedo boat destroyers, sailed for the
United States Tuesday. Ii was rumored
that the squadron was TO steam direct
across the Atlantic and lombard north
ern ports of the United States. The
port from which this squadron sailed
was not mentioned. 1t was added, how
ever, that second squadron, consist.
ing OF four ironclads and two cruisers,
was being formed al Cadiz. It's destina.
ton was unknown.
Madrid. April 2s.-Madrid is absolute
~ unmoyed. The capture of the Amer.
lean bark Saranac by a Spanish gun.
boat near Manila caused a momentary
excitement, but the town is expectant
Of the result of the action likely to oc
cur Oft the Philippines and awaits til,
outcome with perfect con fidence.
Key West, Fla, April 2s. - The priz,
brought in here Wednesday morning by
the United States Detroit is the small
/ - -. A.