Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1899-08-24
HE WAS MUCH SURPRISED.
DID NOT THINK THAT 1T 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 af-
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 10 salute him as he
passed, their faces streaked with pow
der, smoke and coal dust. He reached
me on the bridge, finally, in a state OF
polite bewilderment, and presented
his captains request for permission To
pass i'm 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 Ceryera's squadron. He
showed great surprise, and said
hNh tliNlt mas bNNh u DdlllG
Eyes" | replied.
"And the result?" he asked, eagerly.
1--WE have defeated them"
But where is Cerveras feet now?'
he inquired
"His flagship, the Maria Teresa, is
there lieutenant" | answered, point
ing, AT the same time, to the beach
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.
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 Ceryera's!"
"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 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 lind Ad-
miral Sampson, who is at that end of
our line"
His eyes ranged along the shore as
l pointed out the different vessels.
"Mein Gott!" he exclaimed. "rhen
you have destroyed the whole OF that
splendid squadron! l did not think IL
possible"
After a moment more OF silent as.
constituent he said, with polite sym
patty which concealed eager profess
sional curiosity:
And your injuries. captain? What
losses has the American squadron sus-
tained?"
'None." | 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
injury, no loss. The other ships are
virtually i'm 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 Gottr 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"