Las Vegas daily optic. [volume] (Las Vegas, N.M.) 1880-1908, 1898-05-02

NEW YORK, May IA dispatch t.
the Herald from London says: Tht
Asiatic Squadron of the United States
Commodore Dewey commanding, yes
terday engaged and completely defeated
the Asiatic Squadron OF Spain, in The
harbor of Manila, Philippine Islands
All the news of the great naval battle
thus far is coming
FROM SPANISH SOURCES.
This shows conclusively that tbs
cable lines are still under control ol
Spain. From the fact that even the
advices received from Madrid show
that the American war ships Jared
best, there is hardly any doubt that
when the complete details are obtain
able it will be learned it was a
CRUSHING DEFEAT FOR SPAIN.
During the two engagements that took
place, Commodore Montajo command
ing the Spanish fleet, lost
THREE OF HIS LARGEST SHIPS.
His flagship, the steel cruiser Reina
Christina and the armored cruiser
Castillo were burned, and the cruiser
Don Juan de Auatria was blown up.
Several other Spanish vessels were
badly damaged. One report adds
several other Spanish ships were
SUNK BY THEIR COMMANDERS
to prevent falling into the hands of
the Americans. There was heavy loss
of life among the Spanish. Captain
Darso, commanding the Relna Chris
tina, was killed. Commodore Montejo,
commanding the fleet, shifted his flag
from the Reina Christina to the lsla de
Cuba, much smaller steel protected
cruiser, just before the Christina sank
The blowing up of the Don Juan de
Austria was attended by
GREAT LOSS OF LIFE
among the crew.. her commander
also being killed.
HOW 1T BEGAN.
Commodore Dewey's squadron, leav-
ing Subig Bay, a few miles from
Manila, about o'clock Sat
urday afternoon, proceeded to-
ward Manila. Under cover of dark
ness he entered the harbor of Manila
the batteries there announcing hi
arrival Both fle.ts lined up for battle
about 5 O'Clock Sunday morning. Th'
guns of the American warships begar
firing on Fortress Cavite and the ar
senal at Manila. Under protection O
the guns Of these Notifications, the
SPANISH wARsHIPs OPENED FIRE
on the American fleet. For seYera
hours the harbor resounded with tn
roar of guns, the crashing of steel an,
timbers, and the shrieks and groans o
the wounded. Thick clouds of smok
at times almost obscured the opposin!
fleets from each other A well direct
ed shot reached the iron cruiser Dol
Juan de Austria, a vessel of 100 tons
TERRIFIC EXPLOSION FOLLOWED.
The ship was blown up. All tn
time during the first engagement tn
American ships were under way, thei
manuevering being intended to rende
the craftsmanship of the Spanish gun
ners less effective. The America
squadron about 3 o'clock drew off t
the west side of the bay and took re
fuge behind some foreign shipping
Tie ships had evidently
SUFFERED CONSIDERABLE DAMAGE
After hasty repairs. they retnrned [
the conflict During this engagemer
the guns of Cavite maintained
steadier and stronger fire upon Com
mander Dewey's ships than In the frs
encounter, but the American guns we
being
USED WITH TELLING EFFECT.
AS the smoke lifted it was seen tn
the flagship Reina Christiana was {
fire. The vessel was complete
burned. In the interval between q
two engagements Commodore Monte
moved his flag from Reina Christian
to the smaller cruiser Isla de Cub
The cruiser Catilla, next to the flagsh
the largest and most powerful Of {
Spanish Squadron, was also burnt
1Iindinao were also badly damaged.
OUR LOSSES.
Early reports said that five of Col
modore Deweys ships had been SUI
Later advices from Madrid put
number at two. There were undoul
edly heavy losses in men on both sid
One apparently trustworthy rep
states that the Spanish had 200 xii
aad 400 wounded. Trustworthy dets
Of Amerlcanloss of life will hardly
obfainable until Commodore Dew
has taken Manila or has sent YES
With dispatches 70 Hong Kong.