The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1898-07-08

Washington, July 1.-THE war de-
psrtment has received the report or
Admiral Cervera TO General Blanco on
the disastrous naval fight to the span
ish cause off Santiago. 1t is as fol-
lows:
TO the General in chief. Havana.
In compliance with your orders | went
out yesterday ftcm Santiago de cuba
with all the squadron, and after an un-
equal combat against forces more than
triple mine had all my squadron de-
stroyed by fire. Teresa, Oquendo ana
vizcsya bcached and Colon fleeing. ac-
cordingly informed the Americans ana
went ashore ana gave myself up. The
torpedo chasers fcundered. do not
know how many people were lost. but IL
will surely reach six hundred dead, and
many wounded although not in such
great numbers. The living are prisoners
of the Americans. The corduct of the
crew rose to a height that won the most
enthusiastic plaudits of the enemy. The
commander of the NizCaya surrendered
his vessel His crew are very grateful
for the noble generosity with which they
are treated. Among tho dead is Nillamil,
and | believe Lasaga. and among 'he
wounded Concas and Eulate. We have
lost ALL and noCcssarily depressed.
tSigned) Cervera.
SPANISH PRISONERS.
Guantanamo, Monday, July 4. IS p.
m.) via Kingston, July 6.-The
steamer Resolute arrived today with
sos prisoners. including eighteen Off
GERS and crew. of the Spanish cruiser
CTistohal Colon. The disposition of
the prisoners is not yet decided on The
number Of killed and wounded on the
Cristobal Colon is very small. officers
of the American vessels which were in
pursuit of her say that as it was
question of only short time when the
Cristobal Colon should be compelled
to surrender or run ashore, they ceased
firing on her and only three of her
crew were killed tall sailors) and
thirteen were wounded.
Before running their ship ashore and
hosting the white flag the Spaniards
opened the Kingston valves on board
the Colon and threw overheard the
breech of every gun, including those
of their Mauser rifles.
The captured Spaniards were remark
ably cheerful. The officers assert
that they had nothing to eat for
twenty-four hours before the de-
struction of the fleet, and they had
great difficulty in getting their men
to their posts, and therefore a large
amount of liquor was given out. Many
of the captured sailors still showed the
effects of drink when put aboard the
Reso!ute.
The Spanish officers say the order to
sail was given by the ministry of ma
rine of Madrid, and they decided to
make an attempt to escape on Satur-
day night. but it was postponed until
sunday morning for the reason that
quarters inspection" would be held at
that time and the Americans would
not be al their guns. None of the
Spaniards expected to be alive at noon
on Sunday. believing the destruction Of
the fleet to be certain. Most of their
aluables were put on the Cristobal
Colon, the fastest boat of the Spanish
fleet, and everything was done to give
her the best opportunity to escape.
The Spanish officers profess great ad-
miration for the American ships es-
pecially the Brooklyn. New York and
the Oregon, and paid them their COM
plments.
The Spanish prisoners also said that
If the Americans had pressed the land
force the S2aniards would have been
compelled to surrender, as the troops
were completely worn out
When the Spanish fleet left Santi-
ago de Cuba it was with the intention
To make for Cienfuegos. the nearest
port, to secure coal and provisions. All
the ships were short of coal, the Girls
tobal Colon having only two days sup
ply, which she had secured at Santi-
ago.
The Spaniards concentrated their fire
on the Brooklyn, hoping to disable her.
as they considered her the fastest of
the American warships, and thus give
an opportunity for at least one or two
Of the Spanish boats to escape.
The Brooklyn was hit forty-fve
times.