THE BATTLE OF MANILA.

Cromwell Argus, Volume XXX, Issue 1514, 17 May 1898, Page 5

THE BATTLE OF MANILA.

THE SPANISH SQUADRON

DESTROYED.

SPANIARDS FIGHT MAGNIFICENTLY.

Washington, May 10. Details of Admiral Dewey's attack on Manila are to hand.

The Olympia Reading, the first five ships passed the inland forts unobserved, but sparks emitted from the Boston's funnels alarmed the garrison, which fired three shots without doing any damage. Before the fort was silenced the vessels swept on without stopping. Two mine 3 were exploded ineffectually. The Americana reached the front of Manila, and discovered the Spanish squadron drawn up in line of battle opposite Cavite, under protection of the forts, without steam up. The fleet consisted of 10 large and six small vessels.

The Spaniards opened 6re at 5000 yards, but the shots were ineffectual. The Olympia reserved her fire until within 4000 yards, when she replied with her Bin guns, the crew shouting •• Remember the Maine ! " After three hours' terrible fire most of the Spanish vessels were sunk.

The enemy were at a tremendous disadvantige, being out-manoeuvred and outweighted. Nevertheless, aided by the forts, they fought heroically.

After two hours' rest tor breakfast the Americans completed their victory. The Don Antonia de Ulloa made a magnificent fight. She sank with all on board, with her colors nailed to the mast and her lower guns firing to the last. The second battle was less furious than the first engagement, and within an hour and a-half all remaining Spanish vessels had been destroyed.

Further particulars show that at one stage of the fight the Keina Christina advanced to attack the Olympia, but a rain of shells compelled her to retire. Her riddled boilers exploded, and she was soon ablaze. . ~-, ,•.

Admiral Montiogo, slightly wounded, remained on board until the -vessel was almost sinking. During the first hour of the second engagement the Spaniards made two desperate attempts with torpedo boats armed with quick firing-guns, but the A mericans sank them before they got within striking distance. Congress has authorised the Cubans to he supplied with food and arms. President M'Kinley has forwarded a message to Congress, in which he asserts that it is impossible to measure the victory already gained over the Spaniards by ordinary standards. The moral outweighs the material advantage. The nation's heart throhs with gratitude at the triumphs of a just cause. He recommends Congress to thank Admiral Dewey for distinguished conduct, also to convey thanks to his oilicers and men for their gallantry. A resolution was subsequently adopted by Congress, The Cuban programme has been altered. Sixty one thousand troops are to form the first instalment, consisting of 16,000 rggnWs, 14,000 volunteers, and 25,000 volunteer reserves.

General Miles will be in command of the invading army. He will land forcea at several points and sweep the>

Spaniards from the provinces, relieving the distress amongst the Cubans. The attack on Havana will be reserved until later. London, May 10. The Standard's New York correspondent says General Miles leaves Florida with the first division on Sunday. New York, May 9. The Herald advocates that America, instead of disposing of the Philippines, should retain the group, which would be useful as an American naval base in the Far East. Washington, May 13. Captain Sampson, with nine warships, bombarded the San Juan forts, Porto Rico. Reports from Port au Prince state that the lowa fired the first shot and the Indiana followed. The Morro fort was laid in ruins within a few minutes. A slight response was made by the batteries to the American fire. The town ot San Juan then surrendered. The consuls and several thousand residents fled to tho interior. The cruiser Yale captured the Spanish steamer Rita. Admiral Dewey telegraphs that he still maintains the blockade of Manila.