NAVAL ENGAGEMENT.

Timaru Herald, Volume LX, Issue 2691, 30 April 1898, Page 3

NAVAL ENGAGEMENT.

AN AMERICAN TORPEDO BOAT DISABLED. London, April 29. A Keuter's despatch says that the Spanish gunboat Ligera had an engagement with the torpedo destroyer Cushing near Matanzas. The Gushing was disabled and returned to Key West. The Americans declare that she strained ' her machinery. The Ligera lost her funnel during the action. Received April 30th, 12.45 a.m. \ Three Spanish torpedo boats are cruising off Gibraltar, changing positions nightly, and purchasing coal. The 2 Britiah warßhip Cbarybdis is watching them, ready for action. Britain has determined to maintain her neutrality. 1 Honq-konq, April 29. 3 A portion of the German-East Asian . squadron has been ordered to Manila. \ Received April 29th. 12.55 a.m. \ Madrid, April 29. The Spanish warships at St. Vincent • are unable to obtain more than half I the coal they require. b ; _ Per Press Asaociation. 1 WELLINGTON, April 29. 3 Captain McDougall of tlie Mamari, who commanded the Arawa for Bevenl teen months, while she was transporting Spanish troops to Cuba, speaks highly of the soldiers, who are mostly young » men, and he thinks quite equal to the Americans, but he has a poor opinion of the officers. The men, however, were not well drilled. He quotes it as his ■ impression that the Americans have , been far too hasty, and that if anything, the Spaniards are more prepared for war either on land or sea. Spain is not a decadent nation, often thought to be. She 1 is not progressive, but does not go backr ward. He thinks that the Americans , will not have so easy a task as many ' people imagine.