Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1899-08-10
NE WAS MUCH SURPRISED.
DID NOT THINK THAT IT COULD
BE POSSIBLE.
What an Austrian Lieutenant said on
Hearing of the Blowing Up OF
the Spanish Fleet AT
Santiago.

Capt Taylor gives an amusing ac-
count In the Century of his interview
with an Austrian lieutenant, who
boarded the Indiana Immediately ar
ter the fight at Santiago:
He was in full uniform, with bril-
liant display OF epaulets and gold lace,
white waistcoat and trousers. He
found US covered with the smoke and
dust of battle, groups of half-naked
men lining up to salute him as he
passed, their faces streaked with pow
der, smoke and coal dust. lie reached
me on the bridge, finally, in state OF
polite bewilderment, and presented
his captains request for permission to
pass in through our blockading lines
and bring out from Santiago Austrian
refugees desiring to leave that be-
sieged town After referring him TO
Admiral Sampson, and telling him he
would be found some distance to the
westward he asked for news, and |
told him we had just come out of ac-
ton with Cervera's squadron. He
showed great surprise, and said.
'"rhen there has been a battleY
yes" | replied.
"And the result?" he asked, eagerly.
1--WE have defeated them"
But where is Cervera's feet now"
he inquired
His flagship, the Maria Teresa, is
there, lieutenant" | answered point
ing at the same time, to the beach a
few miles distant.
But | see nothing there but some
smoke, captain
1T is the smoke of the Teresa burn
ing lieutenant; she is n 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 the side
nearer to us. is the Pluton, 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'sr'
wait lieutenant" | continued, land
look a few miles farther To the west
ward. and YOU will see another col
umn of smoke; that is the NiZcaya, on
the beach near Aserraderos. As to the
Colon, she is still farther to the west
ward. out of sight from MS here but
you Will see her presently as your cap
tain steers in that direction to find Adj
mral Sampson. who is at that end of
our line"
His eyes ranged along the shore as
/ pointed out the different vessels.
"Mein Gottm he exclaimed Then
you have destroyed the whole of that
splendid squadron! l did not think it
possible"
After moment more Of silent as
constituent he said, with polite sym
pathy which concealed eager profess
sional curiosity:
and your injuries, captain? What
losses has the American squadron sus-
tainedT'
None" | replied
But, captain, you do not under
stand; it is what casualties
ships lost or disabled that | ask"
"None, lieutenant" | said. THE In
diana was struck twice suffered no
injury, no loss. The other ships are
virtually in the same condition. We
are all of us perfectly ready for an
other battle-as much so as before
Cervera came out this morning"
His establishment was now com
plete.
"Mein Gottl" he exclaimed again
admiral SIMPSONS fleet has destroy
ed these great Spanish ships, and
without injury to his own squadron!
Sir, it is unheard of. must go to in
form my captain"