The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-04-30
DEWEY'S VICTORY A YEAR OLD.
ANNIVERSARY TOMORROW WILL
BE CELEBRATED IN SAVANNAH.

The Fire Department Bells VIII
Ring From All stations Mt >
O'Clock, The Hour the CannOnad-
ing on MontejO's ships Began-MiI-
ttery May Decide TO Commemorate
the Victory-The First AuthOrita-
tive Dispatch From Madrid Tell
ing of the Fight.
One year viii have rolled around to-
morrow since Admiral Dewey's great vic
tory at Manila, when the entire feet Of
Admiral Montejo was destroyed during
an attack by the Americans that win go
down in history as one of the navy's most
brilliant achievements.
The enthusiasm with which the reports
of the victory were received when an
nounced in Savannah by the Morning
News promises that the anniversary will
be fittngly commemorate.
The Savannah fire department Is the
first organization TO arrange for a celebra-
ton of the anniversary. AT o'clock to-
morrow morning, the hour the cannonad-
ing from the American ships began, the
bells at all of the engine houses will be
rung in honor of the first great victory
won after the declaration of war against
Spain. The ringing will continue fifteen
or twenty minutes.
1t is not known yet whether the military
will celebrate the anniversary, but ar
engagements may De made to-day If 1t is
decided to commemorate the victory. The
spirit Of patriotism was as warm in sa-
vannah as elsewhere, and If it Is decided
to celebrate, the celebration is sure to be
in keeping with the cltys way of doing
these things.
The story of the battle of Manila was
told in the Morning News in the following
dispatch from Madrid:
'Advices from Manila say that the
American squadron, under Commodore
Dewey, appeared off the bay Of Manila al
O'Clock this morning MAY u and open
ed strong cannonade against the Span
ish squadron and forts protecting the har-
Dor
THE Spanish second-class cruiser Don
Juan de Austria was severely damaged,
and her commander was killed. Another
Spanish vessel was burned The American
squadron retired, having also sustained Sc
we're damage. A second naval engage
ment followed, in which the American
squadron again suffered severe loss and the
Spanish warships Mndano and Ulloa were
slightly damaged. During this engage
ment the Cavite forts maintained a
steadier and stronger fire upon the Amer
lean squadron than in the first engage
ment.
Admiral Bermejo, the minister of ma
rine, has expressed himself as highly
pleased with the heroism of the Spanish
marines. and has telegraphed congratula-
tons to Admiral Montejo and the valorous
crews of the Spanish squadron under fire
of superior warships."
A later dispatch that appeared the same
morning said that Admiral Montejo had
transferred his flag to the cruiser
Isla de Cuba, from the cruiser
Reina Maria Christina. The latter
vessel was completely burned, as was also
the cruiser Castillo, the other ships hav-
ing to retire. from the combat and some
having been sunk to avoid their falling
into the hands of the enemy
While a good many accounts of the bat
tie were published, word was not received
officially from Admiral Dewey until May
s, when his dispatch in fun to the war
department appeared in the Morning
News. This relieved the great anxiety
the people felt for the safety of Admiral
Dewey, whom it was feared might fall
into the hands of superior force before
his squadrons could be reinforced.