The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1898-11-04
NONTOJO'S OWN ACCOUNT
THE ADMIRAL'S STORY OF HIS
DEFEAT.
He Consents to Break His Silence-The
Star is the First to Publish His Ut
terances,

the battle of Manila, Admiral Monto-
JOS explanations of his movements
and manoeuvres have never been Civ
en-. His reasons for making a stand
at Cavite instead of going out to meet
Dewey or engaging him at Corregidor
have never appeared. Through all |
the months he kept silent.
But or his journey from Manila to
Hongtong on his way to Madrid, he
consented to break his silence on the
subject. To Martin j. Egan of the San
Francisco Chronicle he discussed the |
subject very freely. Through the |
courtesy of Mr.. Egan The Star is able |
to make the first publication of Admit !
raj Montoio's own version of the bat
tie of Manila. After speaking of the
circumstances under which he was
leaving Manila, and his personal feel
ings, the admiral said
Your admiral, Mr.. Dewey, is good
man, and ! respect him. There has
been foolish talk about the Olympia
seeking to destroy the Reina Christi
ma first and the ships of my squad
ron seeking to sink the Olympia. That
is the tradition of the naval art You
cripple the feet by destroying its
eve were not prepared for this war
cannot believe that my people ever
thought our nations would come to
war. L believe your people foresaw it
and were ready. | know we were not
over here, and for months urged the
Madrid government to improve the de-
lenses. My dispatches and warnings
were not needed. There was nothing
to do but to keep up appearances,
cheer our people and await the inev-
liable result.
1T was my intention originally to
| fight at Subig, and my return from
there has been called a retreat. Two
things led me to change my plans.
had not examined the defenses there,
but had heard that they were strong.
| When / got there / was greatly disap-
! pointed. The harbor was practically
without defences. ] was in a predict
ment. The Castillo, which was well
! armed. could not be moved from Ca
vite and | decided that it was best to
return there and await battle.
AT Subig there were no defenses
and at Cavite we would have the aid of
the Castillo and the shore batteries at
Sangley point That was our greatest
possible strength. If there had been
mines and torpedoes and guns at Su-
big it would have been the place. II
Dur feet had been stronger and the
ldefenses better Corregidor would have
given us an advantage for the battle
but as it was Cavite was the place
The method in which our fleet was
handled has been criticised. but wher
| say that the Castillo could not bt
moved and the Reina Christmas steer
ing gear was damaged early in the
contest, you may see there was little
chance for squadron manuevering
We were at disadvantage but l an
proud of my men and their honor an6
bravery. | wanted to go and call OF
Admiral Dewey, as | wished to meet
him and praise his work, but the cir
cumstances would not permit. I an
sorry Dut it was impossible.
1--WE are unfortunate. My heart
bleeds for my brother Cervera. | can
not believe that he would have left
the harhor of Santiago without or.
ders. He knew the strength of the
blockading fleet and knew that he wa.
going out to certain defeat He wa,
true, for his obeyed his orders from
higher authority.
Our people should not be unfriend
~. 1t was the early Spaniard wht
discovered and explored much of you
country and the relations of the tive
nations have always been close ant
friendly. ] have met your officers al
over the world and have many friend
among them. | had intended wheI
my service on this station was up t
go home through the United States
/ wanted to see the country and PEG
pie, but I regret that circumstance
force a change of plans
II remember meeting your great adj
miral, Farragut, once. 1t was in Ha
vana. | was only commander then
Farragut said then that he hoped hi
people would build navy.
Your people have made one seriou
mistake and it is at the bottom of al
this strife. They have taken the wore
of the Cuban rebel and the Philippine
insurgent. You have believed all the,
said of us. They are now showing
themselves in their true light and tn
American is finding out for himself
They will prove their utter unfaithful
ness and the United States will hav
trouble with them. Your people will
find them out, but it will be too lat
to do my people justice"
But once during the interview di
the admiral show any resentmen
toward the Americans. 1t was il
speaking of the Spanish prisoners i
the hands of the insurgents. He said
The rebels hold 1000 prisoners, an
| fear for their safety. Something a
least should be done to see that the
are not starved nor tortured to dealt
Aguinaldo is not entitled to all tn
prisoners he holds. The garrison a
lsla de Grande in Subig bay did no
surrender 10 the rebels, but to the Rs
leigh and Concord. They are Admire
Dewey's prisoners, but they were turn
ed over TO the rebels. II was wrong.
Since the surrender, says Mr.. EgaI
Monte 10 has been made the scape goa
for all the misfortues and all the T,
suits of Spanish misrule that hav
been piling up. The very people VIII