The Yakima herald. [volume] (North Yakima, W.T. [Wash.]) 1889-1914, 1899-05-18
"MEIN GoTT,iTiS UNHeARo OF"
An Austrian Officers Comment on the
Destruction of CerYera,s Elect.

Destruction of Cervera's Fleet.
Capt. Taylor gives an amusing ac-
count in the Century of his interview
with an Austrian lieutenant. who
boarded the Indiana Immediately after
the fight at Santiago:
He was in full uniform, with n 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 rs he
passed, their faces streaked with pow
der-smOke and coaldu He reached
me on the bridge, finally, in state of
polite bewilderment. and presented his
captains request for permission to pass
through our hlockadng lines and bring
out from Santiago Austrian refugees
desiring TO leave that besiegcd town.
After referring him to Admiral Samp-
son, 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 action with Cervera's
squadron. He showed great surprise,
ana said:
Then there has been battle?"
YES" | replied.
"And the result" he asked, eagerly.
1--WE have defeated them"
"Eut where is Cerveras fleet now?'
he inquired.
Ills flagship. the Maria Teresa, Is
there. lieutenant" | answered. point
ing. ut 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 wreck upon
the beach"
lie 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, 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 Ycs-
sells of Cervera's."
wait, lieutenant" I continued. and
look Il few miles farther to the west.
ward, and you will see another column
of smoke; that is the Vizcaya, on the
beach near Aserraderos. AS to the
Colon, she is still farther to the west
ward, out of sight from us here. but
you will see her presently rs your cap
tain steers in that direction to find Ad-
miral Sampson, who is at that end Of
our line"
His eyes ranged along the shore rs
pointed out the different vessels.
"Mein Gott" he exclaimed. Then
you have destroyed the whole of that
splendid squadron! ! did not think it
possible"
After moment more of silent aston
ishmcnt. he said, with a polite SYM
pathy which concealed eager profess
sional curiosity:
And your injuries, captain? What
losses has the American squadron sus-
tainedT
None" I replied
but, captain, you do not under
stand; it is what casualties-what
ships lost or disabled-that | ask
None, lieutenant" | said. "The In
diana was struck twice, suffered no in
jury, no loss. The other ships are vir-
tually In the same condition. We are
all of us perfectly ready for another
battle-as much so as before Cervera
came out this morning"
His establishment was now complete.
"Mein Colt" he exclaimed again.
Admiral SIMPSONS feet has destroyed
these great Spanish ships, and without
Injury to his own squadron! Sir, it Is
unheard of. | must go to inform my
captain"