The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1899-05-07

Austrian O0oer's Comment On the
DeaAruetien Of CeRyera.a Fleet.

Austrian O00er's Co0nent On the
Destruction 81 CePveFa's Fleet.
CAPT TAYLOR gives an amusing ac-
~ count In the May Century Of his In
terview with an Austrian lieutenant.
who boarded the Indiana Immediately after
the fight At Santiago.
He was in fur uniform. with . brilliant
display Of epsuie;s and gold lace, white
wAistcoat ard trousers He found US COW
cred with the smoke and dust Of hattie.
groups Of haif-naked men lining up to sa-
lutte him AZ he passed. their faces streaked
with powder smoke and coal dust. He
reached me on the bridge. finally. In a
state OF petite bewiiderment. and presented
his captains request fer permission 10 pass
In through our bsockading lines and bring
out from Santiago Austrian refugees de-
string to leave that besieged town After
referring him TO Admiral Sampson and
telling him he would be found some dis
lance 10 the westward. he asked for news,
and ! told him we had jus; come out OF
action with CeryeTa's squadron. He
showed great surprise. and said:
Then there has been a battle?''
Yes" replied
And the resuit?' he asked, eagerly.
We have defeated them"
But where is Cervera's fleet now?" he
inquired.
His flagship. the Maria Teresa. Is there.
lieutenant / answered, pointing at the
same time, to the beach q few miles dis
tAnt.
But I see nothing there but some
smoke captain!'
1T is the smoke Of the Teresa burning,
lieutenant; she is wreck upon the beach,"
He was silent. and continued.
'Close to her on the beach you will see
another column Of smoke: that Is the
Oquendo burning. On this side, nearer to
US. IL the Piuton. sunk in the breakers;
and the Furor Is near her. but is on the
bottom in deeper water. and is not visible -
But" he interrupted. you have then
destroyed half those splendid vessels OF
Cervera'sw
wait. lieutenant" continued, "and
look few miles farther to the westward,
and you will see another column Of smoke !;
that Is the Vi1caya on the beach near
Aeerraderos. As to the Colon, she Is still
farther to the westward. out OF sight from
W here. but you will see her presently as
your captain steers In that direction to
md Admiral Sampson. who is at that end
Of the line."
pointed out the different vessels.
'sMein Gottr. he exclaimed Then you
have destroyed the whole Of that splendid
squadron! I did not think II possible"
After moment more Of silent astonish-
ment he said, with q polite sympathy
which concealed eager professional curios-
ity:
And your injuries, captain? What
losses has the American squadron sus-
tained?"
None" replied
But. captain. you do not understand: 1t
Is what casuaities-what ships lost or dis
abied-that ask"
None. lieutenant said THE Indiana
was struck twice. suffered no injury, no
loss. The other ships are virtually In the
same condition. We are all OF us perfect
ly ready for another battle-as much SO az
before Cervera came GU. this morning"
His astonishment was now complete.
Mem Gott.' he exclaimed again "Ad-
miral SIMPSONS feet has destroyed these
great Spanish ships, and without injury TO
his own squadron. Sir. II Is unheard OF!
/ must go TO inform my captain