Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1906-04-29
Admiral Montojo,s Report.

On the other side the Spaniards had had
little opportunity for preparation-no money
for target practice, little money for storea,
and ratons far inferior to those of our
navy. They had anticipated able assistance
from the guns on shore. They had expected
to fight at Subic bay, but upon their ar
rival there on April q they found with
disgust that the batteries there were not
ready Their disgrace was entirely due
to lack OF preparation. Their gallantry in
action was grand, and left nothing to be
desired. After all hope Of success was lost
they fought to the end, and not a war
vessel was surrendered. Part OF the Official
report Of the Spanish commander-ln chief
follows. Let us hope that many years will
elapse before it will be necessary for an
American to make such a painful report
all lost save honor-due to failure on the
part Of the nation and the responsible
officers to make reasonable preparation.
Says Senior MontoJo, admiral Of the Spanish
feet at Manila:
On. April 3 at II p. m. left the Bay OF
Manila for Subic with squadron composed
Of the cruisers Reina Christina, Don Juan
de Austria, 1sla de Cuba, 1sla de Luzon,
wooden cruiser Castillo. This last could
merely be considered as a floating battery,
Incapable of maneuvertng, on account OF
|
morning, being at Subic, had conference
with Captain del Rio, who, though he did
not relieve my anxiety respecting the COM
pleuon OF the defensive works, assured me
that they would soon be finished.
In the meanwhile the cruiser Castillo,
even on this short cruise, was making much
water through the bearings OF the pro-
| peller and the opening astern They worked
| day and night TO stop these leaks with ce-
water tight, but absolutely impossible 70
use its engines.
port OF subie. The Castillo was taken tc
| the northeast point OF the Island OF
Grande to defend the western entrance
been closed with the hulls OF the San
| Quentin and two old merchant vessels
which were sunk there.
! With much disgust, found that the guns
! which should have been mounted on thai
island were delayed month and a half
This surprised me- as the shore batteries
| dimculty) at the entrance OF the bay OF
Manila, under the intelligent direction OF
colonel of naval artillery, Senior Garces
and Lieutenant Benevente, were ready K
/ tight twenty-four hours after the com
| mencement Of the work.
| l was no less disguised that they con
| nded In the efficacy OF the few toFpedoei
! which they had found feasible TO put there
The entrance was not defended by tor
pedoes nor by the batteries of the island
so that the squadron would have had 4
bear the attack OF the Americans with III
and with little security Our vessels coui,
not only be destroyed, but they could no
save their crews. / still held hope tina
the Americans would not go to Subtle, AM
give US time for more preparations, bu
the following day l received from tn
Spanish consul at Hong Kong a Telegram
which said "Enemy's squadron sailed a
2 p. m. from the bay Of Mira, and accord
ing TO reliable accounts, sailed for Subj
70 destroy our squadron, and then will 81
10 Manila"
This telegram demonstrated that tn
enemy knew where they could find m
squadron, and that the port OF subic. hai
no defenses.
The same day, the 18th OF April, I con
vened a council Of the captains. and al
with the exception OF Del Rio, chief o
the new arsenal, thought that the stua
ton was insupportable and that we shout
go 70 the bay OF Manila In order to accep
there the battle under less unfavorabl
| conditiOna