The times., 1899-10-01

was first received in the United States from
Madrid. and the dispatches claimed the ad-
vantage for the Spanish fleet, while admit
ting the loss of two Spanish ships. On the
receipt of a report CT the victory, the Min
lister OF Marine telegrapbed congratulations
to the Spanish admiral, Montoio, and the
valouous crews Of the Spanish warships IN
der fire of a superior squadron" But be-
fore the day had passed, further particu-
lars of the fight reached the Spanish capi-
tai, and at midnight the city was in great
excitement, for between the lines of the
bulletins reporting victory was read disas-
trous defeat. Meantime Dewey had sever
ed the cable between Manila and Hong
kong. His first despatch to the Secretary
OF the Navy was written on the day of the
victory, but had to be taken to Hongkong
for transmission by cable.
The First oHeiaI News.
1t was received at Washington May Z,
and follows:
Hongkong, May :, 1905 Manila, May -
Secretary of the Navy, Washington:
The squadron arrived at Manila at daybreak
this morning Immediately engaged enemy and
destroyed the following Spanish vessels: Reina
Christina, Castillis, Don Antonio de Biloa, Don
Juan dc Austria, Isla de Luzon, Isla dc Cuba,
General Lezo, Marquis del Duaro, FL Curreo,
yelasco, one transport. Isla de Mandano, water
battery at Cayite. shall destroy Cayite arsenal
dispensatoTy. The squadron IS uninlured. few
men were slightly wounded. ] request the depart
ment will send Immediately from San Francisco
fast steamer with ammunition. The only means
of teiegraphing is to the American Consul at
Hongkeng. DEWEY
Hongkong. May Z, 1s9s. eCavite. May ~
Secretary OF the Navy. Washington:
/ have taken possession OF the naval station az
Cavite, Philippine Islands, and destroyed its for
tihcations. Have destroyed iortihcations bay en-
trance, paroling garrison. Have cut caoie to main
land | control bay completely and can take city
at any time but | have not sufficient men to
hold The squadron excellent health and spirits.
The Spanish loss net fully known; very heavy; $50
killed. including captain, on Reina Christina,
alone. / am assisting and protecting Spanish
sick and wounded, $50 in number, in this hos
pital within our lines. VIII ammunition be
sent? l request answer without delay. l can
supply squadron coal and provisions for long
period. Much excitement at Manila. Scarcity Of
provisions on account OF not having economical
stores Will protect foreign residents
DEWEY.
Before the dawn of Monday, May 2
Washington was agitated by news that a
great naval battle had been fought near
Inc lfAcS AGCCAfC0 q No-O4C NN
spatch, dated London, May 2, 8 a. m. 1t
follows:
The American squadron, commanded by Com
modore Dewey won q complete and glorious VIC
tory yesterday over the Spanish fleet off Manila
The -haltinls-was-of the fereest character, last
ing fron 8 o'clock yesterday morning until /
O'Clock in the afternoon. The bravery OF the
American seamen was OF the highest character,
and led by the intrepid Dewey, they inflicted
upon the enemy blow that may be termed a
veritable rout. A despatch received from Madrid
late last night indicates that the public there Is
at last waking up TO the fact that the Spanish
arms have really suffered terrible reverse in the
Bay of Manila There was a loud demand from
the street crowds for an explanation Of the tact
that so many warships had been lost IN a great
Spanish victory, large force OF the civil
guards was called out TO overcome the crowds,
which undoubtedly were on the verge OF rlotlns.
Heard in Portugal.
A despatch from Lisbon, by way of
London, came to Washington, close upon
the foregoing. 1t was:
Lisbon, May Trustworthy advices received
at Manila was complete. The fortihcatioHs at
Manila, however, are still in the hands OF the
Spaniards
Another despatch on the same night,
by way OF London, follows:
Madrid, May 2-The Spanish secretary Of war
has issued statement admitting utter defeat
False News in Madrid.
Here is a despatch sent out from Ma
drid late in the evening of May /:
The greatest enthusiasm was produced here
this evening by the publication OF the contents ls
of a private despatch from Manila, which told
of what according to the Spanish sender, was 4
great Spanish victory. The people of Madrid are
oyerioyed that the boasted superiority OF the
American Navy has been shown by the hrst en-
gagement to be based on nothing but the usual
braggadocio of the natives OF the United States.
The engagement at Cavite has produced the
greatest enthusiasm among all classes. especially
in view OF the fact that the American vessels
were obliged to retreat before an inferior force
Notwithstanding the severe damage sustained hy
the Spanish ships, which Is admitted, naval ON
GERS in Madrid consider that further operations BY
the American squadron will be conducted under
great difficulty, owing to its having no base
where the ships may repair obtain further
supplies OF coal and provisions The dispatches
state that the damage done TO the Spanish ships
Mindanao and Ulloa was quite severe, though no
details given The conflict IS described as
being terrible.
Madrid, 80 p m, May Ian official tele-
gram has been received from Manila, giving
some of the details OF the fighting which oc-
Cured there this morning. In this despatch it
is stated that the warship which was burned was
the Rena Maria Christina, the flagship OF Ad-
miral Montojo. No explanation is given as TO
how the ship caught fire. The burning of the
flagship made it necessary for the admiral 10
transfer his flag, and he went aboard the Isia
de Cuba. whence he directed the operations Of
his squadron. The Maria Christina was not the
only vessel which was destroyed by fire. \ con-
fagration occurred on board the Castillo and
shortly afterward she abandoned,
The Americans Retire.
At midnight of May /, the following
official report of the battle was re-
ceived by the naval authorities at Ma
drid:
Last night, April 80. the batteries at the en-
trance to the port announced the arrival of the
enemy's squadron, which forcing a passage
under the obscurities OF the night At day
break the enemy took positions, opening strong
FIRE against the fort at Cayite and the arsenal
Our fleet engaged the enemy in 4 brilliant COM
bat protected by the forts at Cayite and Manila,
and obliged the enemy with heavy loss to change
his position and maneuvre repeatedly. At
O'Clock the American squadron took refuge be-
hind the foreign merchant shipping on the east
side OF the bay. | cannot now send furtner ue-
tails. The spirit of the navy was excellent
Before any official information concern
ing the battle of Manila was received in
Washington. The Evening Times of Friday
May g. published the following editorial
under the head, Keep the Philippines"
Retain the Islands.
Nothing could be more encouraging
than the evidence we see on every hand
of revival of sturdy aggressive Amer
icanism. What a change has come
over us within few short weeks. A
few months ago this journal was daily
denouncing the narrow Chinese provin-
cialisms which had left our coasts de-
fenceIes sand prevented the increase Of