The Opelousas courier. [volume] (Opelousas, La.) 1852-1910, 1898-05-14

Germany Strictly Neutral.
Berlin, May 1.-THE Empero
has declared Germany strictl,
neutral, but that German com
merce would be projected at an,
The Powers ask England to
Intervene.
London, May 6.-Certain d
the European powers have asked
England to intervene in the His
pano-American war. England
has fatty refused.
1t IS thought here that Captain
Sampson will attack the Cana.
ries.
A Mutiny aboard the Alamo.
Key West, May 6.-There was
a mutiny among the fremen on
the Alamo that was conveying
a detachment of West Point en-
gineers to Cuba. The mutiny was
quickl y suppressed by the officers.
Serious international questions
are likely to arise from the capt
ure of the French navel reserve
ship. 1t is thought that it was
taking recruits to Havana to aid
Spain.
Dewey Heard From at Last.
Washington, May 7th.-The
Navy Department is at work de-
ciphering a report from Com
mander Dewey relative to his en-
counter with the Spanish feet.
The dispatch was brought from
Manila to Hong Kong by Dis
patch boat Mccullough. Assoon
as it is translated it will be made
public.
Sun-World Account.
New York, May 7th.-The Sun
to-day says: Government re-
ceived news of Atlantic Squadron
but is keeping it strict ly secret
While the World says: I" Hong
Kong special says Dewey sunk
eleven Spanish vessels. Three
hundred sailors killed, four hun
dred wounded on Spanish ships.
On the American side there was
not a life lost, not ship injured
and only six sailors wounded"
It is generally believed that
this is a true version of the bat
tie.
The French Merchantmen La
fayette that tried to run the block
ade at Havana has been released.
Sampson Will meet Flotilla
Tomorrow.
Washington, D. c., May L.
Navy officials say that Sampson
is drawing near Porto Rico and
that battle will take place to-
morrow between his ships and
the Spanish flotilla.
Five warships have been sighted
off St. Thomas Island. Porto
Ricans are preparing for attack.
Washington, May 1.-The off
cial report of commander Dewey
has been deciphered. The one
received was sent Immediately af-
ter the battle and will be followed
by a more lenghthy and detailed
account. He says:
"Manilla, May l, 1898.
My Squadron arrived at Ma
nilla at daybreak this morning.
/ was in sight and shot of the
enemy and Immediately gave them
battle and destroyed the follow
ing Spanish vessels: Ko Reina
Christiana, Castillo, Ulloa, Isle
De Cuba, General Lezo, Duero,
Cores, Velasco, Mindano and
one transport. | also reduced
the water battery at Cavite.
None of my ships sustained injury
and six men only slightly wound
ed.
The Spanish loss is one hun
dred and fifty men. After the
battle | effected a landing at
Cavite and am now caring for two
hundred and fifty wounded Span
ish prisoners. ! have the town of
Manila at my mercy. | need
nothing. Men exuberant and
ships in good shape. My only
means of telegraphing is to the
American consul at Hong Kong.
/ shall communicate with him.
The Spanish fought bravely,
but their seamanship and marks
manship were poor. Several COM
manders of vessels scuttled their
ships when defeat was inevitable.
(Signed) DEWEY.
This dispatch was evidently
written in great haste immediate
ly after the victory, for it does not
contain a description of the ships
maneauverings or of his, Dewey's,
future intentions. Officials here
are highly elated over contents of
dispatch and feel that it was a
memorable victory. The other
dispatch may reach here within
the next few days.
A Naval Skirmish.