Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1899-05-24
'.MEIN ooTT.iT ls UNHEAaD OF. .
An Austrian 0Rcer's conusnt on tha
Destrucsion Of Cervsrass Tleet,

An Austrian 01ncerso Comment on TIA
Dsstrucsion Of csrvsra's Hlsst
s Capt Taylor gives an aausing &C.
count In the Century Of his interview
with an Austrian lieutenant, whs
boarded the Indiana inmediately after
the fight at Santiago:
He was In full uniform, with q bril-
hant display Of epaulets ana gold lace,
white waisteeat and trousers. He
found us covered with the smsks and
dust of battle. groups Of half-naked
men lining up to sal9te him a. h
passed. their faces streaked with pow.
der-smoke and coal-dust. He reached
me ON the bridge. finally. in . stats Of
polite bewilderment, and presented hi.
captains request for permission to pass
through our blockading lines and brina
out from Santiago Austrian refugees
desiring to leave that besieged 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'a
squadron. He showed great surprise,
and said:
Then there has been q bettleY.
YES" l replied.
And the result?" he asked eagerly.
I'VE have defeated them"
But where Is Cervera's feet now 2"
he inquired.
His flagship. the Maria Teresa, 4.
there, lieutenant" answered. point
Ing, at the same time. to the beach s
few miles distant.
But I see nothing there but some
smoke, captainw
1t Is the smoke Of the Teresa burn
ing, lieutenant; she Is wreck upon
the beach,"
He was silent, and continued:
Close to her on the beach you win
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 ~es-
sells Of Cervera's"
wait. lieutenant" 1 continued, land
look 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 as 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 Gottr' he exclaimed. Then
you have destroyed the whole of that
splendid squadreni l did not think II
possible"
After a moment more of silent aston
ishmont he said, with a polite sym.
pathy which concealed eager proces-
siQRal curiosity:
And your Injuries, captainf What
losses has the American squadron sus-
tainedr'
None" replied.
But. captain. you do not under.
stand; 1t is what casualties-what
ships lost or disabled-that ask
"NOne, lieutenant" l 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 Gottv' he exclaimed again.
admiral Simpsons fleet has destroyed
these great Spanish ships, and without
injury to his own squadron! Sir, it is
unheard Of. 1 must so to inform my
captain"