Nebraska Newspapers

    OMAHA ! DAILY BEE.
ESTABLISHED JTJiNE 19 , 1871. OMAIIA , MONDAT MCHEKISTG , MAY 9 , 1898. SINGLE COPY FIVE CENTS.
DEMS OF THE CHEAT BATTLE
Late Advices Merely Add to the Halo of
Glory Around Dewey's Head.
Maneuvering of the Fleet and Manipulation
of Guns Above Criticism.
III NT
Dowoy's Bravo Lads Hit What They Aim at , but Montojo'a Gunners Do
Little Else Than Tear Great Holes in the Atmosphere American *
Act Humanely and Give Care and Attention to Their
Wounded Foes After the Smoke of
- . Battle Clears Away.
Detailed reports of the late naval engagement nt .Manila continue to
come in from various sources. While differing somewhat In minor points
they nil agree In the essential feature that Dewey annihilated the Spanish
lleet. The overwhelming victory of the American fleet excites the greatest
admiration in all quarters , except among Spanish sympathizers. But six
Americans were wounded and these hut slightly , while Dcwey's tlcet escaped
with a few scratches. Some estimate the Spanish loss as high ns 2,000 , hut
otllcial figures by the governor general of Manila place it at100 killed and GOO
wounded. All is now quiet at Manila awaiting the arrival of the dispatch
boat McCulIuch with orders , for Dewey.
STORIES OF EYEWITNESSES !
ThoNc on lloiird the niMpitteh Ilont
MeCiiltueli Tell About the
KIUIIOIIM llattle.
( Copyright , 1S.08 . , by 1'rees Publishing Co. )
HONG KONG , May 8. ( Now York World
Cablegram Special Telegram. ) The Ameri
can dlspach boat McCulloch arrived hero
bearing Commodore Dowey's report to Wash
ington of the operations at Manila. I have
obtained from those on board the following
account of the naval battle Sunday last and
of the situation when they left the rest of
the squadron.
Admiral Dewey arrived off Manila bay
on the evening of Saturday , April 30 , and
early Sunday morning proceeded to force a
passage. TJio undertaking was extremely
bold and hazardous , as It was expected the
channels at cither side of Corregldor island ,
nt the entrance to the bay , would bo thickly
strewn with submarine mines and torpedoes.
The ships met , however , with no more seri
ous obstacle than n feeble dropping fire
from the fort commanding the paesage. This
was speedily silenced by the Infinitely su
perior armament of the cruisers.
Steaming rapidly up the bay the squad
ron made direct for Cavito and discovered
the Spanish fleet lying off the naval arsenal.
Admiral Montojo was completely taken by
surprise. Not only were his vessels at an
chor , but they had not even got up steam ,
consequently they were compelled to fight
at a tremendous disadvantage compared
with the greater fleet of Commodore Dewey'a
command. The engagement was short , sharp
nnd decisive and the Spaniards were out-
inanouvorcd and outwelghted. The Spanish
squadron was virtually annihilated by the
American gunners , whoso marksmanship
was as superior to that of the enemy ns
were the weapons they served. They made
excellent practice , sinking three largo
cruisers , eight gunboats and two torpedo
boats and reducing the other vessels to mere
burning hulks.
The Spanish loss In men is estimated at
200 killed nnd 600 wounded. On the Ameri
can side tbo casualties wore limited to a
few cases of slight Injury from splnters.
At the time when the McCulloch left Manila
with Dewey's dispatches the city Itself was
still In the hands of the Spanish , owing to
the Inability of the American commander to
spare enough men for effective occupancy.
The forts were still keeping up a desultory
b"t ineffective fire on , the squadron , but
l iwey sent nn ultimatum to the governor ,
warning him that If the firing was not 1m-
mediately stopped ho would proceed to bom
bard the city.
In the meautlmo the insurgents , acting In
co-operation with the American fleet , sur
rounded Manila on the land side , and were
exchanging a brisk fire with the Spanish
garrison ,
Dewey , on arriving off the Philippines ,
took the precaution before going on to
Manila , to look in at Bollnao and Sublg bay
for any traces ot Spanish vessels. Finding the
coast In this direction clear of the enemy
ho proceeded with nil speed to his destina
tion and arrived off the entrance of Manila
bay after nightfall Saturday. It was , however -
over , a bright moonlight night nnd the at
tack was therefore postponed for a few
hours. Conditions becoming more favorable ,
nil the lights were extinguished on board
chip , the men called to quarters and the
fleet began the risky operation ot entering
the harbor , taking the southern channel as
the more accessible. They were not how
ever , able entirely to elude the forts , which
opened fire on the transports , though with
out doing any damage. The demonstration
was speedily silenced by a few shots from
the cruisers and the passing was made good
without further obstacle.
The squadron continued to steam ahead
without apparently being observed until
daylight , C o'clock. At that hour it arrived
opposite the forts. The Spanish artillerymen
Immediately opened fire , but at such long
range that they failed to score a hit. Ono
cf the American cruisers returned the flre ,
but was at once ordered by the flagship to
ceaso. Commodore Dewey had more Impor
tant business on hand and lost no time in
continuing his search for the Spanish fleet ,
It was not long before they were discovered
opposite the naval arsenal lying as I have
already reported , not only at anchor , but
nlso without having got up steam. The
squadron , together with the guns at Cavlte
opened a tremendous cannonade directly the
Americans came within range. Forming In
line ahead Commodore Dewey's ships
eteomcd across the Spanish line , the flag-
chip Olympla leading. At half-past five the
signal to begin the attack was given by a
shot from the Olympla. The Americans
trained their slx-luch guus on the enemy
nnd poured In regular broadsides as they
passed and rcpasscd the line. In the ab
sence of a breeze the ships were soon
shrouded In smoke and It became momen
tarily more difficult to tell exactly how the
was going , but it was evident that the
enemy , although obviously overmatched ,
were not prepared to give In without strik
ing a blow.
Having at last got up steam Admiral
Patrlclo Montcjo steamed out with his flag
ship Rcina Christlna , bent on giving bat
tle to the Olympla. But the duel was too
unequal , the American man of war dis
charging Its 8-Inch guns both fore and aft ,
killing part of the Spanish crew , includ
ing the captain , chaplain and lieutenant ,
and causing the boilers to explode. The
Relna Christina , by this time a burning
wreck , was retired. Admiral Montejo , however -
over , transferred his flag to the Castilla ,
on board which ho kept up a vigorous flre ,
until at length it too sank at its moor
ings.
It was now 8:15 : o'clock and the Ameri
can crows who had been serving the guns
with tremendous zeal were utterly dead
beat with heat and hard work. Commodore
Dewey accordingly withdrew his vessels
for a time , leaving three of the Spanish
cruisers in flames. He himself bad sus
tained no loss In men or ships beyond a
few cases of Injury from flying splinters.
At 11 o'clock the engagement was renewed ,
the Americans setting to work with re
doubled energy , pouring in a tremendous
fire on the enemy's guns nnd also on the
sand forts at Cavlte. In the course of nn
hour every ono of the Spanish men of war
had each been destroyed or put out of nc-
lon. Montejo , finding further resistance
hopeless , hoisted the white flag and the
fight came to an cud.
The surviving Spaniards made nil haste
to remove themselves nnd their dead from
the rapidly burning hulks , leaving behind
nil their personal property nnd valuables.
The admiral himself , who had fought with
the utmost gallantry against overwhelming
odds , was slightly wounded , but managed
to make good his escape.
The Spanish losses cannot , of course , bo
ascertained exactly , but the best estimate
places them nt 400 killed and 600 wounded.
The only loss the
on American vessels was
the chief engineer of the Hugh McCulloch ,
who died of heat nnd apoplexy as the
squadron was entering the harbor. Manila
itself is stated to bo in n starving condi
tion and it Is believed that capitulation
cannot be long delayed. Commodore Dewey ,
It appears , ( cut the cable because the cap
tain general refused to allow him to use
it for communication with his government
GOOD OLD STORY IS RETOLD
Coolucm of Commodore
Deirey and
HID Mcu Prove the Navnl l rowona
of the Hilled Yankee.
( Copyright , 1S9S , by Press Publishing Co'
LONDON , May 8. ( New York World
Cablegram Special Telegram. ) The Dally
Mall's Hong Kong special says : I have
Just Interviewed an olncer of the dispatch
boat Hugh McCulloch. who gives me the
following story of the engagement :
Wi left Mlrs bay at 2 o'clock on April
27 , steering straight for the Philippines. On
sighting the coast the Boston. Baltimore and
Concord went nhcad nnd looked Into Ruble
bay , which lies some thirty miles from
Manila. They found two small schooners ,
nud interrogated the occupants , who pro
fessed to know nothing , not even where
Manila was.
'We proceeded from Sublc bay about C
o'clock Saturday night nnd steamed slowlj
till we ueared the channel which leads into
Manila bay. The tail cone at Corregldor
Island showed through the darkness. When
early on Sunday morning wo formed In line
of battle our ships carried no lights , except
one on the taffrall of each , well screened.
"Silently the line was formed. The flag
ship Olympla led and behind | t came the
Baltimore , Raleigh , Petrel , Concord and
Boston. Then In the second line were the
McCulloch , Nanshan and Znfiro. The nine
entered the channel and quickly drew undei
the guns of Corregldor. The men were al
at quarters , with guns trained on the Span
ish batteries , and not a sound could be heart
except the plash of water under our bows.
'We all expected the batteries of Corregl
dor to open flre ut once , but there was at
unearthly silence and uo sign at life on th <
Island. The Olympla , Baltimore and Ralelgt
went past and we held our breath. Th <
Petrel and Concord passed and there wai
stilt silence. The Boston was passing wbei
flames showed from our funnels.
"A bugle rang out across the water fron
the couth. There was a flash nnd n shoi
crossed our bows. The Boston let go i
broadside at the forts , and two more shclli
came sailing over the water. A short one'
sided action followed by our gunners , thougl
the McCulloch did not engage In it , am
quickly compelled the fort to haul down It :
flag. It had only fired three shots and no
one bit our ships.
Loohi.T ! for the Spaniard ! .
"We now steamed slowly up the bay ai
the day broke. The morning y.ns a lovcl ;
ono. We made n circuit of the bay , coming
toward Manila , but the fleet was not there.
Then bearing south wo could sec the Spanish
fleet moored in a small bay , and could make
out a heavy battery. Wo steamed on , all
eyes on the enemy , tilt we were as close to
Manila as the shoals would allow us to go.
"The Olympla leading , she turned , and
the other ships followed in succession , Just
as the heavy battery In Cavito bay opened
on It. Immediately the Spanish fleet began
to flre , and a sputtering ot flashes ran along
their line which was disposed AS follows :
Ten large vessels and four small gunboats
were drawn up across the bay , flanked by
the batteries , and two smaller vessels could
be discerned close In by the arsenal.
"About 5 o'clock the first shots were flred
by the enemy. They went wide and then
Commodore Dewey closed the line and sig
naled the ships astern to flre as convenient.
The Olympla was the first American ship
to open Its guns. It flred its forward eight-
Inch guns with terrific crashes. Smoke and
splinters could be seen flying from th Span
ish ships opposite It at once.
"The ships astern of It began to flre and
the engagement became general. It was
difficult to see what was happening to the
Spanish ships after the first broadside on
cither side , as the smoke was very dense.
We passed along the Spanish front , turned
and steamed back , while our guns gave them
h 1.
1."As
"As the Olympla ncared the Spaniards
two mines exploded. H paid no attention
to them , but steamed right on. Then we
turned and came back once more , fighting
as fast as we could. Broadsides went off
crash , crash , crash , like clockwork , the
Spaniards replying with steady thunder.
"As our ships passed along the line the
Spanish admiral's flagship , Relna Christina ,
gallantly stood out to attack the Olympta.
It was hotly received. A rain of shells de
scended on It , and almost at once It turned
and ran back. As it retired an eight-Inch
shell struck It astern. Wo saw smoke pour
ing up from it nnd knew It was on fire. The
guns were trained on it and fire blazed up.
The Spanish admiral took a boat and left It
shortly afterward. It was seen to be sink
ing.
CiiNtllln Taken Flre.
"The Castilla now took flre and the scene
In the Spanish line became one of great con
fusion. The enemy fought with rare cour
age , but his shots fell short and ricocheted
over us.
"Next the Don Antonio do Ulloa took fire ,
It fought heroically , but its men wasted
their lives. It sank fighting , with colors
flying , taking down all the survivors of its
crew with It.
"Five times had Commodore Dewey passed
around the enemy's front. The Spanish fleet
was In complete disorder. Its ships were
burning , disabled or at the bottom. The
roar of guns was continuous , nnd so thick
was the cloud of smoke which covered the
bay that signaling was most difficult.
"The fight had lasted two hours when an
order was made for our fleet to withdraw. .
The fleet hauled off and piped to breakfast ,
Enough had been done to make our vic
tory absolutely certain. The Spaniards
cheered , thinking our ships had had enough ,
and the Manila batteries fired their heavy
Krupps on the American ships as they
passed within range , but Commodore Dewey
paid no attention to them.
"It was ascertained that our vessels were
uninjured and no" ono had been killed. Ono
shot struck the Baltimore on the gun pdrt ,
passed through , exploded and wounded six
men slightly. It set the ward room on fire ,
but the fire was quickly put out. On the
other ships the rigging was cut. "
"After n two hours' rest for the men , the
fleet- stood In again. The Baltimore led in ,
with orders to attack the shore batteries.
It went in nt full speed until it was close
to the batteries , when it swung around nnd
opened flre.
"The second battle was not so furious as
the first. Most ot the Spanish ships were
sinking. It was now that the Don Antonio
went to bottom , its bottom riddled like a
sieve. The Spanish forts flred rapidly , but
did no damage. All the ships concentrated
their guns upon them. A shell fell on the
Baltimore's deck , but did not explode or in
flict any Injury. Our men handled their guns
as coolly as at target practice. At 12:15 : p.
m. the forts were silenced , and the Spanish
flag was hauled down.
True to Their Character.
"There- was an act of treachery on the
part of'a Spanish ship , which lowered
Its flag and tthen flred at a boat's crew
sent to take possession of it. It did not
hit the boat , but our guns were turned
on It and tore it to pieces. It went to the
bottom with all on board. Several vessels
close in shore behaved in the same way
and shared its fate.
"The Spaniards had fought to their last
gasp and now surrendered. They had been
announcing that the Americans would kill
everyone in Cavito and when wo landed a
long procession ot priests and sisters ot
, mercy met the boat from the Petrel and
begged our men not to injure the wounded
in the hospitals. As a matter of fact the
Americans rescued some 200 Spaniards and
sent them ashore.
"All the Spanish vessels arc destroyed ,
with 2,000 men. The American loss Is none
killed , but several wounded , ono seriously.
The Spanish estimate gives their loss as
1,000 killed and wounded. In the Maria
Christina 200 men are believed to have
been killed or drowned.
"The ofllcers of the dispatch boat Hugh
McCulloch , with whom I conversed today ,
bear testimony to the bravery of the
Spaniards. They particularly praised the
gallant crew of the Castilla , whom they de
scribe as 'the bravest men ever sacrificed
In battle. ' They consider the result of the
fight to be .a remarkable instance of the
advantage of long range firing to this
side , which is better In artillery snd mark-
manshlp. "
Private papers captured at Cavito show it
was Intended that the Spanish licet should
engage the Americans outside the bay the
day before the flght. No explanation Is
forthcoming of the change In plans. My in
formant told tnn the Americans did not land
at Manila , where food is scarce , as Com
modore Dewey could not undertake any re
sponsibility. I do not think there l any
danger of the Insurgents masacrcing the
population of Manila. If they began to dose
Q so , Commodore Dewey would land men and
stop them.
The Hugh McCulloch brought a letter
from the British community at Manila , con
taining resolutions , dated May 4 , asking for
the dispatch of Immediate further naval as
sistance. In view of their critical position ,
the Immortallte has been dispatched.
Officers of the Hugh McCulloch said that
the Americans cut the cable Monday night.
Commodore Dewey sent for the manager ol
the telegraph company to send a message
for him. The Spanish authorities would not
let the manager come. Commodore Dewey'a
object In cutting the cable was to prevent
the Spaniards from sending alt sorts of
alarming messages 'to Europe. He cut it
Just as a message was sent by the Spaniards )
saying that the Spanish fleet bad been badly
disabled , and the Americans bad with
drawn to bury their dead. ;
Glndatone I * More Cqutfprtahle.
LONDON , May 8. The bulletin Issued this
evening at Ilawarden says : "Mr. Gladstone
has been more comfortable during the last
day or two , but the local disease Is slowly
Increasing , anl there Is gradual diminution
of strength. "
TO CHlCKAIAUtii AT ONCE
' A
Nebraska's Volrajwm-'i * 'Wanted at Gamp
QeoigfjH. TSacaa.
T
SECRETARY ALGtt'S LATEST ORDER
Governor Ilaleewfc lte < l e ted to * Get
a Iteiltnent Mc dr * u > Soon
I'oBilble n4 flcnd It on ,
the Otkerto Fellow.
1 , '
LINCOLN , May 8. ' ( Special Telegram. )
Governor Holcomb received the following
telegram this morning :
WASHINGTON , May 7. To the Gor-
ernor ot Nebraska , Lincoln , Neb. : It is the
intention to order to .Camp George H.
Thomas , Chlckamauta National Park , Ga. ,
the First regiment of Infantry ot your state ,
which shall first b Completely equipped.
Every effort should be exerted to complete
as fast as possible each regiment in turn ,
rather than all simultaneously. Report by
telegraph when First regiment will bo ready ,
also any subsequent changes In date as to
hen Second regiment will be ready.
. R. A. ALGER ,
_ Secretary of War.
An effort is being tnado to fluUh the ex-
mlnatlons and muster the troops so as to
ave them ready Wednesday. Both regi
ments will be ready at once.
Lieutenant Stotsenborg received Informa-
on from the War department two or three
ays ago to the effect that the troops would
o sent to Chlckamauga as soon as mustered
n , but aside from Informing some of the
fticcrs ho did not make the matter public ,
nd none of those who were In the secret
alkcd to outsiders. The news was a com-
lete surprise to tno boys in camp and
roused much enthusiasm this morning.
Governor Holcomb said this evening that
10 regiments would both bo ready to move
Vcdnesday , if the' necessary equipment Is
ecelved. The men will all be examined
nd mustered In bjr that time.
The examining board handled six com-
nnles today besides examining the twenty-
ve new men for the Omaha Guards. This
nly leaves ten companies to take their cx-
mlnation and at the present rate the work
vlll all bo done by Tuesday morning.
A telegram was received this morning
rom the War deportment giving notice of
n important change in the malie-up of the
ampoules. It was as follows :
WASHINGTON , May 8 , Lieutenant Slots
nbcrg , Mustering Officer , Lincoln : Organl
zation of companies of'Infantry as fixed In
elegram from this offlco dated April 25 BO
changed by secretary of war as to reduce
he number of corporals from twelve to six ,
nnd Increase the number of privates by six.
H. C. CORBIN ,
Adjutant General.
Tranufcrrlno ; State' * 1'ropeHy.
The arms , uniforms and equipment of the
Guard as now organized have been paid for
y the state and the manner of the transfer
f this property to the government has
oused much inquiry. This matter Is cov-
red by the following order received from
ho adjutant general's offlco today , being
eslgnated as general order No. SI and 1s-
ued under date of April 30i
By direction of'tho secretary of war the
following instructions governing the arm-
ng and equipping ; of , volunteer troops
called into service unr.ler the"president's
proclamation of April n , 1898 , and"prevld-
ng for the proper accountability for the
arms and equipments are published for the
nformatlon and government of all con
cerned : <
1. As soon as a regiment has been mus
tered Into the United , States service the
commanding officer of the regiment shall
detail a lieutenant to perform the duties of
acting ordnance officer for the regiment.
2. As soon as a regiment or other organ-
.zation has been mustered Into the United
Uates service the governor of the state is
o Invoice to the ordnance office of a regi
ment , or the commanding officer of an or
ganization , nil the ordnance and ordnance
stores which are furnished to the regiment
or organization by the state.
3. The acting ordnance officer of n regi
ment , or the commanding officer of other
organizations will , Immediately on receipt of
this Invoice , forward to the chief of ord
nance a requisition.on blank form 22 to be
turnlshed by the chief/of ordnance , U. S.
A. , for the ordnance- and ordnance stores
required to complete the armament and
equipment of the regiment or organization.
This requlstlon shall state :
( a. ) The number ot tuen mustered into
the regiment or organization.
( b. ) The total of ordnance and ordnance
stores required for the J full armament and
equipment of the regiment or organiza
tion. ,
( c. ) The ordnance and ordnance stores re
ceived from the governor of the state.
( d. ) The difference or'the stores to be
furnished to the regiment or organization
bv the chief of ordnance.
( e. ) On the receipt of stores from the
ordnance department the ordnance officer of
a regiment or the commanding officer of
an organization wlli send receipts therefor
to the Issuing officer. ' *
4. On receipt of thei ordnance and ord
nance stores , both from the state and from
the chief of ordnance , U. S. A. , the acting
ordnance officer will , under the direction
of the commanding officer of the regiment ,
turn over to each company or troop com
mander the stores required by each com
pany or troop , taking receipts therefor ,
which rccelots will bo filed as vouchers
with the next returri 19 the chief ot ord
nance. Company or troop commanders are
then held accountable for property turned
over to them aud muat make returns for
such property to the eh'et ' of ordnance , U.
8. A. , in accordance with the existing law
nnd nrmy regulations , ' The acting ord-
nnnco officer will account to the chief of
ordnance for the surplup stores left In his
hands and for the 'Armament and equip
ment ot non-commissioned staff and
band. 4 * " *
G. On receipt of the-stores Invoiced to the
ordnance officer of a regiment or to the
commanding officer -of-an 'organization from
the governor of the stqte , said officer will
furnish the usual recbijts to the governor
of the state for property'reielveJ , which
receipts will bo used ft ) vouchers with the
state's next property , return to the chief of
ordnance. " .
6. The chief of ordnance'will keep an ex
act account of all tbo. stores turned over to
each regiment or organisation by each state ,
as provided for herein * with a view to mak
ing provision for future settlement with tbo
state therefor. ' i
7. All necessary'bUrnMwill be furnished
by the chief of ordnaAcc * upon application ,
and such application'should be made at
once. Tbo forms at first- needed will bo
sent by the chief of ordnance to the differ
ent regiments and organizations as soon as
It is ascertained where-they are located.
By command of Major General Miles.
H. C. CORBUt.i Adjutant General.
Great Crowd * t 'the Camp.
There was an Iraraeme crowd at the camp
today. Excursion train * were run from
every direction , and about 10,000 people
were brought to the. city during the day.
Of these about 1,100 came from Omaha and
suburbs. 300 from Nebraska City , 250 from
York , 300 from 'Grand. Island , 350 from
Beatrice , and a relatively large number
from the other'towns'of the state. The day
was a very pleasant one .in camp , and the
people thoroughly enjoyed the visit. Many
of the delegations from the home towns of
the companies brought well filled lunch
baskets and Joined v lth tbo soldier boys in
furnishing a bountiful .spread for dinner *
Some of tbo excursion trains stopped at
the camp and let tho' people oft. Others went
to the depots and the crowds came out on
the street cars. The street car company
handled the crowd very well , thirty cars
being kept on the line , each making the
round trip every twenty minutes.
Company Q ot the 8 0 a4 ha now almost
TEMPERATURE AT OMAHA
Hour. < - . Ilonr.
B n. m . . . . . . r.2 1 p. m < ( IT
0 . m . HI 2 p. m. . . . . . on
7 n. m . na n p. m . .on
8 m. m . HO 4 p. ni . on
n n. m . . . . . . UO B II. m . . . . . . O5
10 n. in . O ( > (1 p. ni . O4
11 a. m . un 7 p. ni . 02
lit in . 7O N p. m . Ol
D p. m . . . . . . 0 <
Us full number of men. The rejected men
were Bent homo and Corporal Conant went
to Omaha after a squad of now men. He
returned with twenty-flvo new recruits.
They had their physical examination this
afternoon and twenty-three of them were
accepted , The list of the lucky ones Is as
follows : L. E. Qulnby , W. S. Llnlnger , Harry
Huhn. David Rltter. n. II. Devcrell , W. E.
Baker , Albert Fctterraan , H. V. Dlenklron ,
E. O. Richards , W. H. Anderson , E. D. Had-
flcld , Martin Johnson , II , E. Close , E. D.
Thompson , H. U. Drake , Jay Van Scholck ,
Leo Plsher. 8. P. McFarlaml , J. P. Tray-
nor , L. M. Folzer , N. Arvldson , J. II. Oalncy
and James Anglctn.
WORD COMESFROM GOMEZ
_
Ilrave Old Cnlinti Lender Send * Oreot-
Initu to Frlendn lit the
United Stnten.
( Copyright , 1&9S , by Press Publishing Co. )
IN CAMP PUNTA DE CAGUANES , Near
Moron Trocha , North Coast Cuba , May 5.
( Now York World Cablegram Special Tele
gram. ) The veteran , Maximo Gomez , the
backbone and brain , of the Cuban revolu
tion , gives to the American people Cuba's
thanks for freedom. Ho writes In his firm
hand :
"Cuba Libre , 30th of April , 1S08 : I nm
much delighted at the action of the people
and government of the United States In doing
Justice to the cause of this heroic and ex
hausted people. For me , and In the name
of my loyal soldiers , I authorize you to ex
tend most heartfelt thanks for the protection
which Is offered us. It shall constitute a
bond of solidity and eternal friendship be
tween both peoples. I am ready , and thus
I know my government will he , to accept
the alliance which Is offered us , and there
fore I wait the official commissioned by
General Miles , Lieutenant Whitney of the
Bureau of Military Intelligence , to discuss
.he basis ot the plan of campaign to bo
idoptcd against the common enemy. Dut
General 'Miles should know now that ho
need not venture his ships too far In perll-
ius enterprises , for on these , our own
grounds , wo need no more than munitions
with which to finish with the Spaniards ,
, s the Island of Cuba Is In such condition
hat they cannot resist six months of rlg-
rous siege. MAXIMO GOMEZ. "
BACK FROM GOMEZ'S ' CAMP
lonntiliHloii netiiniM from a Coiixul-
tutloti with the Lender of the
.
( Copyright , 1S9S , by Press Publishing Co. )
OF BOARD UNITED STATES GUNBOAT
FOOTS , May 8. ( Via Key West. ) ( New
York World Cablegram Special Telegram. )
Our commission reached Gomez's camp the
quickest on record. It carried the first defi
nite news to the Cubans of the United
States' action and their own freedom. Re
turning , It brings the Cuban leader's formal
and official thanks In behalf of Cuba lethe
the United States , n letter to McKlnley and
ono each to Miles and Sampson. It also
thanks the American people. The commis
sion brines a confidential message bearing
a detailed answer to Sampson's questions as
to just what arc the Cuban Intentions anil
necessities. He will report to Watson at
Key West In the absence of Sampson. The
other dispatches go to Washington by spe
cial courier.
Gomez wants rifles , cartridges , food.
clothlnjf uml United States troops In the or
der named. Armed and supplied ho prom
ises to drive the blockaded Spaniards out in
six months. Cubans in general wish arms
and American troops to bring them. Al !
arc profoundly grateful and earnestly
anxious to bo put in a condition to fight.
Gomez formally declares his readiness to
co-operate with Miles and Sampson and now
the United States have available principal
land forces to take Havana without risking
any of our soldiers.
Hunger in the fields almost equals Wey-
ler's cemetery towns. Ten thousand Cuban
revolutionists have died In the last four
months. Gomez's own forces In Santa Clara
are now living on small game. Other portions
tions are worse. But 20,000 healthy soldiers
remain. SYLVESTER SCOVEL.
Daily Chronicle1 * Story.
( Copyright , 1698 , by Press Publishing Co. )
LONDON , May 8. ( New York World Ca
blegram Special Telegram. ) The Dally
Chronicle's Hong Kong special says : The
McCulloch has arrived here. The Ameri
cans attacked Corregldor Sunday morning
The Spaniards were taken unawares and
the reception which they gave the Ameri
can fleet was contemptible. The Corregl
dor forts were silenced after three shots
Severe fighting took place at Cavlte. The
Spanish showed much courage and gal
lantry , but their ordnance was obsolete
and their firing wild and reckless. The
Spanish fleet was sunk and practically an
nihilated. Hundreds of Spanish were killed
and many hundreds more wounded. The
American casualties are nil. The fleet re
mains In. serviceable condition. Fighting
terminated at noon Sunday. The fight from
the forts was desultory. The Spaniards
cut the cable after dispatching a message
to Madrid.
Manila is helpless , but the town is no
required to surrender , pending receipt o
Instructions from Washington. Manila Is
intact , but is surrounded by Insurgents
Tbo United States is prepared to protcc
European interests. The Esmerelcln , whlcl
arrived at Manila on Sunday , remains under
dor American control. The blockade is
effective.
Jicvrn from I'orto Rico.
( Copyright , 1698 , by Press Publishing Co.
ST. THOMAS , May 8. ( New York World
Cablegram Special Telegram. ) We arrlvei
off San Juan , Porto Rico , at sunset yestcr
day. Tho. Norwegian tramp steamer Gyle
was leaving port , having discharged It
cargo of flour. A shot from Fort Morro cas
tie was fired across our bows to warn us or
We were close In at the time. There wa
much excitement on shore , our steamer ovl
dontly being known. We headed off , Th
light on Morro castle point was extinguished
Thirty miles west we sighted Cape San
Juan light. It was extinguished at our op
proacb. The light on Calebra Island was out
Fires were raging over Porto Rico from tb
west of Areclbo. They were evidently incen
diary. No war ship was sighted. The steame
Oldborough has arrived at St. Thomas froi
Scotland with 3,000 tons of coal. It goea t
San Juan.
8itnnlnh I'utrol at Gibraltar.
( Copyright , 1898 , by Press Publishing Co.
GIBRALTAR. May 8. ( New York Worl
Cablegram Special Telegram. ) The Span
Uh dispatch boat Glralda ( formerly an Eng
lish pleasure yacht ) and the torpedo dc
stroyer Destructor are patrolling the strait
of Gibraltar. An armed merchant steainc
aud a torpedo boat are anchored off Alge
clras bay , southern Spain. The British chnn
nel fleet left yesterday for Arosa bay. Th
British cruiser Charybdla has Failed for th
Canary Islands ,
DEWEY IS IN MTE COTOL
Vlanila Cannot Thing Without the
Com e's Consent.
Proposes the Establishment of a Provisional
Government at Once.
American Float Has Complete Investiture of Water Communication of th
Philippine Capital and the Insurgents Control All the Land Approaches
preaches Food Supplies Are Short in the City , Not
Enough Being on Hand to Last Longer Than
Two Weeks at the Farthest.
Commodore Dewey hns made the ivconmiemlatlon to Uio government nt
Washington tlnit the city of Manila ho called upon to mirrcmlor ; also that a
provisional government , of which he himself shall bo a member , be appointed
to preserve order until a Dual settlement shall be effected with Spain. Dewey
has absolute control of the water front and "r > ,000 natives well armed and with
plenty of ammunition hold 'the ' hills In tlu rear of the city. The dispatch boat
McCulloch sailed yesterday from Hong Kong to return to Manila , bearing dis
patches from Washington to Dewey. '
DEWEY CONTROLS MANILA
RoGoniniciidn thnt the City He Called
Uron to Surrender to United
Stnlex.
( Copyright , 189S , by Press Publishing Co. )
HONG KONG , May 8. ( New York World
Cablegram Special Telegram. ) Commo
dore Dewey has recommended to Washing
ton that the surrender of Manila bo de
manded and a provisional government be
established pending a scttlemo'it rf the
war with Spain. Ills proposal Is that n
commission , of which ho shall bo a mcm-
> er , take charge of the government nnd
continue much the same as on present
Incs. Ho would nsk In that event that
.hero bo sufficient troops sent him to main
tain .order. If his BUgscatlctt isj/BTgMWjf.
" "
received by the prtBldcut nnd crtbliicl "it"
s probable that Williams , the Manila con
sul , and Wlidman , the Hong Kong consul
general , be asked to serve. The Fll'.mtlon
n Manila Is such that some solution must
10 Immediately found. Food supplies are
short and are estimated enough to lufat not
more than two weeks.
Dcwey's fleet has complete Investiture of
water communication and the Insurgents
control all the land approaches. It Is
Impossible for the Inhabitants to add to
the present food supply without the con
sent of the American commodore , "vho has
everything absolutely In his control.
The forts at Manila are not strong enough
to cope with his guns and not only the'
governor but the people know the coniil- J
tlon. If DcWcy demands a surrender and '
the governor refuses the people * lll rise I
n their might. There would bo a revolt on '
the part of the soldiers before the > \\ould '
bring down on the defenseless city the fire '
of our * fleet. Under international law the I
city cannot bo bombarded until a day's' '
notice is given. The action of the Manila I
'orts ' In firing on our fleet would bo sufficient ]
to break this. Dewey will give the people
ple a chance to leave the city. If ho is
compelled to begin a bombardment they
would bo In almost as bad a fix , however ,
for the insurgents hold the hills ard the
Inhabitants could not hope , to imetthem
in combat.
Strength of IiiNiireoiitH.
Dewey held no communication with the
insurgents , but reliable reports are that
25,000 are on the hills surrounding the
city. Thcso men are well armed with
American repeating rifles recently landed
on the Philippines by a filibustering expoI I |
dltlon. They have a semblance of training
only , nnd if they attack the city It will ' ' l
degenerate into a lawless mob which will 1 I
loot , rob nnd plunder. The necessity for a
strong government in Manila , therefore , Is J I
apparent. Dewey would have taken Manila
Sunday , but he feared violence In the city
and fire , rapine nnd murder.
Our fleet can land only 1,000 armed men ,
which is not sufficient to control. If we
take Manila French and British war ships
will land forces to protect their own citi
zens nnd Interests. Not less than C.OOO
troops are really needed to occupy the vari
ous principal cities In the Islands under
the neutrality law.
The McCulloch can stay in the harbor at
Hong Kong only a day and needs repairs
and the time may be extended , otherwise
It will lie in Chinese waters until definite
Instructions are received from the president ,
when It will return to Manila to Join the
fleet as acting dispatch boat until cable com
munication Is resumed.
The people of Hong Kong are overjoyed
at our victory and believe the Philippines
will pass under British control when the
war ends and become a part of the colony
of Hong Kong. This would have tbo effect
of greatly Increasing the importance of Brit
ish Interests In China.
Flcitt UocH Nobly.
Throughout the great battle of Sunday the
fleet acted splendidly. No ship failed to
cover Itself with glory. The greatest exe
cution was done by the Olympla and the
Baltimore , owing to the greater weight ojj ,
the guns. The little Petrel , no bigger than
a minute , had most spectacular sport. Vt
went in like a battleship , lying close to the
shore , and completely whipped a good sized
fort unaided. It Is now the pride of the
fleet and Commander Woods Is the subject
for congratulations. Every officer ought to
have promotion for bis gallantry and Woods
should be made a rear admiral with the
thanks of congress.
The Spaniards' information regarding our
fleet was grievously faulty. It was believed
that the Boston was a battleship and that
concentrated their fire on it nnd In consequence
quence they shelled ? o low In the water they
could nqt hit It effectively. They believed
the Olyrnpla was the Oregon , which had
come directly across to Join the fleet , and
the first report from Manila after our lleet
was sighted was that the Philadelphia com
prised a part of the fleet. Notwithstanding
their lack of knowledge they fought like
the bravo men they were , "out they could
not shoot straight.
Replies have been received to the commo
dore's dispatches to the president , contain *
Ing flnnl Instructions regarding the fnto ot
Manila. The cable is to bo rc-cstabllshcd
by connecting the cut end on Zaflro ami
operate with Instruments. The McCulloch
is starting on its return trip. Wlidman la
going over the side amid cheers. Wo nro
off. Farewell. R. C. HARDEN.
DETAILS OFJEWEY'S ) ' FIGHT
American Comniniiiler Completely All
iilhllnteH the Fleet of the
SiuinliirilH nt niuulln.
( Copyright , 1898 , by the Associated Press. )
HONG KONG , May 8. Among naval men ,
nijlltnry _ nien. ' . and clvlllaus , , Europeans and
natives , ii'eroHoday there is only ono subject
ot discussion , the brilliant , dashing , anril- '
hllatlng victory of-tho American fleet under
Commodore Dewey over the Spanish fleet
commanded by Admiral. Moutcjo In Manila
bay on Sunday last.
Owing to the fact that the cable between
hero and the Philippines was not In working
order , having been cut , It Is said , some dis
tance from tbo capital of the Islands , ther
has been delay in obtaining a detailed ac
count of the battle and facts in the cas
were only available when the United State *
dispatch boat McCulloch arrived hero yester
day , and even then the tremendous pressure-
of business suddenly thrown upon the cable-
company necessarily made the earlier ac
counts of the engagements somewhat brief.
Commodore Dewey's orders were to cap
ture or destroy the Spanish fleet , and never ;
were instructions executed in so complete
a fashion. At tbo end of seven hours thero-
was absolutely nothing left of the Spanish )
fleet but a few relics. The American com
mander had most skillfully arranged every
detail of the action nnd even the apparently ,
most insignificant features were carried out
with perfect punctuality and In railroad timer
table orfler.
At the end of the action Commodore-
Dewey anchored his fleet in tbo bay , before
Manila and sent a message to Governor
General Augustlano , announcing the , inaugu
ration of the blockade , and adding that 1C
a shot was fired against his ships ho would
destroy every battery about Manila.
The position occupied by the Spanish , tha
support which their ships received from the
land batteries , and the big guns they had
ashore gave them an enormous advantage.
Thorforo when it Is considered that the
Spaniards lost over COO men In killed and
wounded , that all their ships , amounting to
about fourteen , were destroyed and that
their naval arsenal at Cavito was also de
stroyed , with its defenses , It will become-
apparent that the victory of the American
commodore Is ono of the most complete and
wonderful achievements In the history oC
naval warfare. ,
All Did Their Duty.
Not a man on board the American fleet
was killed , not a ship was damaged to any
extent , and only six men were injured
slightly on board the Baltimore.
This grand achievement is quite as much !
duo to the generalship of Commodore Dewey ,
as to the fact that American gunners , ships
and guiiR are superior to anything In the
same line afloat anywhere. Great credit
must ul o be given to the fullest extent to
tbo ofllcers under Commodore Dewey , for ,
to a man , they seconded their gallant com
mander in every way possible nnd thu >
helped him to win tbo laurels which are
Justly his.
When the squadron left hern It touched
first at a point in the Philippine Ulundi )
near Bollnao , as Commodore Dewey wished
tbo Insurgent agents to disembark there , as
certain the strength and disposition of the
insurgent forces , arrange to prevent need
less bloodshed , and Inform the insurgents
of his Intention to change the government of
the Philippine Islands , the commodore
strongly bjcctlng to giving the rebels
chance to commit excesses.
The insurgent leaders refused to disem
bark under any consideration , and the Amerv
| lean ships coasted in search of the Spanish'
chips , but foiled to find them.
Commodore , . , Dewey arrived at Sublo bay ,
about thirty miles north of Manila bay , Sat
urday , April 30 , and sent thb Baltimore and
Concord to reconnoltcr the enemy. They
found no Spanish ships at the entrance ot
the bay , and so the commodore decided to
risk the mines and proceed that same night
after dark into the bay at Manila , whlcl )
ho did.
i
Order ot Attack.
When the American fleet entered the bay ,
coming through tbo southern channel be
tween Cnballo Inlets , the following was their
order. The flagship Olympla , Baltimore ,
Raleigh , Concord , Boston , Petrel and Mo
Culloch , with the two store ships , the Nan *
Ehan and the Seafirc , bringing up the rear
% Aud In that order they swept grandly fc
tSA J