The Southern Cross PUBLISHED WEEKLY. Invercargill, Saturday, May 7. THE BATTLE OF MANILA.

Southern Cross, Volume 6, Issue 5, 7 May 1898, Page 8

The Southern Cross PUBLISHED WEEKLY. Invercargill, Saturday, May 7. THE BATTLE OF MANILA.

If a “ bull ” is pardonable, the American Admiral has not let the grass grow under his feet. The descent upon the Phillipines, the engagement and crushing defeat of the Spanish fleet, together with the bombardment of Manila, is an achievement worthy the sons of the “ August Mother of Nations.” There is something characteristically British about the spirit and dash of the enterprise. The absence of mines in Manila harbour and use of searchlights on the part of the forts gave Admiral Dewey an opportunity of which he was not slow to take adtage. Almost before the Spaniards were aware of the fact, the American ships were in the harbour and raining a shower of shot upon the arsenal and forts. The Spanish fleet came to their help and fared very badly, in fact appears to be practically annihilated. The Spanish account seems to have been specially prepared to neutralise the effect of the defeat as tar as possible. To claim a victory because the forts atttacked were not silenced, when the relieving fleet is almost obliterated, may soothe national vanity, but, certainly, does nothing else. The “ tug of war ” is not yet, however. The better equipped and more modern vessels seem to be drawing nearer each other in the direction of Cuba for a death struggle. We await the issue with deep interest, for American concerns are largely ours and our sympathy is on their side. With the glamour of success already over them, they will fight with redoubled energy, and another such defeat will probably mean the end of the war so far as Spanish activity is concerned. This consummation is the devout wish of every true lover of Anglo-Saxondom.