NAVAL BATTLE OFF HAVANA.

New Zealand Times, Volume LXVII, Issue 3436, 18 May 1898, Page 3

NAVAL BATTLE OFF HAVANA.

London, May 10. Reports have been received from Madrid that two Spanish gunboats at Havana attacked five smaller warships of the American fleet. One of the American warships is stated to have been seriously damaged, and all to have boon compelled to retire. Washington, May 16. The accounts received at Washington discredit tho reports circulated in Madrid. The Americans declare that an attempt was made by a Spanish vessel to decoy the ships of the blockading squadron under the fire of the batteries, but proved unsuccessful. CAROENAS AND CIENFUEGOS ATTACKED. AMERICANS CLAIM ADVANTAGE. Washington, May 16. The American cruiser Wilmington (13 92 tons) attacked Cardenas, 80 miles east of Havana, and silenced the shore batteries. Three hundred Spaniards were killed. A sharp fight has taken place between soma American warships and the shore batteries at Cienfuegos. The .forts were destroyed and many Spaniards killed. There were eight casualties on the American side. TWO CORRESPONDENTS CAPTURED. Washington, May 16. Two American war correspondents have been captured by the Spaniards at Cardenas, and it is feared that they will be sliotas spies. The authorities at Washington are trying to exchange two Spanish officers taken prisoners by the Americans for the captured pressmen. < THE SPANIARDS HOPEFUL. Madrid, May 16. The despondency in Spain caused by tho defeat at Manila has to a large extent been dispelled. The Spaniards are now very sanguine of the success of Admiral Cerveras’ squadron. THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS REVOLT. REFORMS GRANTED TO THE INSURGENTS. THE REBELS URGED TO RESIST THE AMERICANS. Madeid, May 16. The Governor of the Philippine Islands has been authorised by the Madrid Government to concede the reforms demanded by the insurgents, but has stipulated as a condition of -there being carried out that the rebel natives shall resist tho invaders of the country. THE PHILIPPINES PROM A STRATEGICAL POINT. COLONIAL REPRESENTATIONS TO THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT. London, May 16. Sir Andrew Clarke, Agent-General for Victoria, in pursuance of instructions from Sir George Turner, Premier of the colony, has represented to Mr Chamberlain, Secretary of State for the Colonies, that it is most important on strategical grounds that tho Philippine Islands, which dominate the Australasian trade rente to the East, shall be in the possession of a friendly Power. Lord Braesey (Governor of Victoria) and Mr Reeves (Agent-General for New Zealand) are co-operating in the representations, and the Agents-General for the other Australasian colonies have been in vited to join in the negotiations. CAPTURE OF A SPANISH GUNBOAT Hongkong, May 10. Admiral Dewey has captured the Spanish gunboat Callao, which was entering Manila harbour in ignorance of the blockade. AN AMERICAN COMPLAINT AGAINST FRANCE. Washington, May 16. Complaints are made by the United States Government against Prance having granted coaling facilities to the Spanish fleet when it arrived at Martinique. CABLES COT BY AMERICANS. Washington, May 16. The Americans have out the cable connecting Cienfuegos, in tho south of Cuba, with Havana, in the north. THE PHILIPPINES. AUSTRALIAN SUGGESTION FOB THEIR ANNEXATION. Beoelvod May 17, II p.m. Melbourne, May 17. Sir George Turner (Premier) has communicated with the Queensland and New South Wales Governments suggesting that they join in making representations to the Imperial Government in reference to the annexation of the Philippines. It is understood that Mr J. T. Byrnes, Poemier of Queensland, considers.it injudicious to take any step at present. The reply of Mr G. H. Reid, Premier of New South Wales, has not been communicated to the press. STRENGTH OP THE AMERICAN V OLUNTEEB ARMY. Washington, May 17. Out of the 125,000 American volunteers summoned, 65,000 have been mustered as an army. ANOTHER SPANISH FLEET. SEEN OFF MARTINIQUE. Received May ISi 12.45 a.m. Washington, May 17. It is reported that three additional Spanish cruisers have been sighted off Martinique, the French possession in the Windward Islands, Lesser Antilles. They are believed to be the armoured cruisers Admiral Cisneros (? Cardinal Cisneros, 7000 tM>, 2J knots. 2 11-iuoh and 10 0-inch Q.F. guns). Princess de Asturias (7000 tons. 20 knots, 2- 11-inoh and 10 6-in Q.F. guns), and Citalima (7000 tons, g Xl-inoh and 10 6-inoh Q.F. guns).

BY GABLE.

EXCHANGE OF PRISONERS. WAR CORRESPONDENTS FOB OFFICERS. Washington, May 17. General Blanco has agreed to exchange three American newspaper war correspondents, prisoners of war, for three Spanish officers captured by the Americans. NiiW GUINEA. OPPOSITION TO ENGLISH MONOPOLISTS. Du Telegraph.—Press Association.—Copyright. B Received May 17. 11 p.m. Sydney, May 17. The wholesale alienation of New Guinea lands to an English company was discussed in Cabinet to-day. The decision was not disclosed, but it is believed that the Government wili ask the other colonies to make a joint remonstrance to the Secretary of State for the Colonies. ___________