The National tribune., 1902-06-05

indeed, had they not been permitted to
do little fighting. The only complaint
they had to make was that there was not
fighting enough. was speaking from the
point of view Of one who abhors needless
sacrifice in war.
Following the appearance of the white
flag the launch Of the Belgian Consul made
several trips between the city and the
Olympia and Newport, arranging terms,
and finally, early in the afternoon, orders
were given the Oregons to land and en-
ter the walled city to receive the surren-
der Gen. Merritt, with his escort, going
first. Instead of going into the river and
landing at the quay, evidently fearing tor
pedoes, the old Hongkong excursion boat
we We're on endeayored to get alongside
the breakwater mole south of the river,
and became stuck in the mud. the tide
being out. This was a pretty ''howdydo,"
the force designated to receive the sur
render stuck i'll the mud and within a
stones throw of the landing place, while
the troops from the land side were ad-
vancing into the city by every road and
some of them being fired upon from the
walls by the very troops whose surrender
we ought to be receiving or forcing. We
afterwards learned that the Archbishop
and priests, or rather friars were bitterly
opposed to the surrender. and, following
their custom. were interfering with the
military. They went among the soldiers
manning the walls and infamed them with
speeches and gave them wine, urging
them to fight the Americans. with the re-
suit that in spite of the efforts of their
officers some of them continued to shoot
at intervals. 1t was in this way several
OF the California men were hit as their
regiment advanced toward the wall along
the Gale Real. 4 skirmish was made for
cascos, canoes and rOwbOats from the
ships. and in this way, few at a time,
the Oregons reached the MOLE each com
pany as it landed hurrying in double time
along the mole distance of nearly
mile and then turning into the PaseO San
ia Lucia parallel with the wall until the
first gate was reached. when it marched
through and to the Plaza Carlos TX in
front of the Ayuntemiento, or headquar-
tiers building, where the Spanish troops
were drawn up in line waiting to be sur
rendered. 1t was in this hurried move
ment the breakdown of haversacks over
loaded with ammunition occurred.
A SPECIMEN OF SPANISH HONOR
Just before we turned into the Pasco
by the magnificent marble monument of
Governor Simon de Anda, we passed a
Spanish gunboat in the river on fire, on
which were a number Of sailors from the
American fleet endeavOring to save her
from destruction. Just as we got oppo-
site her we heard the order imperatively
and repeatedly. given, Abandon ship;
The men hastily slid into the boat and
pulled away for dear life, while our bat
TALON marching by not 200 feet away on
the quay expected every instant to be de-
lnged with falling debris blown high into
the air by her exploding magazine But
we were agreeably disappointed The gun
boat did not explode, but sank in the river
and for innu tirpa nhyfr
until she was finally raised, repaired and
added to the navy. The burning of this
gunboat was characteristic bit OF Span-
ish bad faith and lack of the honor Span
iards make so much fuss about She had
been run into the river and kept there to
save her from Dewey, and was a part Of
the surrendered property when the Gov
ernor-General capituIated
Inc Spaniards could not in honor de.
stroy her, yet. as they did with the Cristo-
bal Colon after her surrender to S .hley
at Santiago, they set fire to her to pre-
vent her falling into the hands of the
Americans in serviceable condition. De-
strncti0n OF property to prevent it from
FALLING into the hands Of the enemy. espe-
cialiy weapons and war material is de-
slrabie and even imperative. IL possible
when compelled to abandon it in retreat
or 1t can no longer be defended, and deeds
OF great gallantry have been performed
70 accomplish this; but when a surrender
mas been made the right to defend or de-
stroy property has been given up, and II
is bad faith. treachery and breach of
honor to destroy it.
THE oREGONs FIRST IN THE CITY.
When the head Of the first company of
Oregons pushed its nose through the dense
crowds OF natives and Spaniards surround
ing the plaza, and it was seen that the
troops who hsd thus boldly entered the
walled city was but single co;nnanx nm.