VOL. 33
Spanish Squadron Defeated
The Naval Battle so Long Expected at Manila Took Place
Sunday Morning.
The Spaniards Were Totally Routed.
Their Fleet Completely Wiped Out.
THE NEWS OF THE WEEK.
The past week has been a very
disastrous one to the Sppniards. More
of their merchant vessels have been
captured, and in an engagement
with Commodore Dewey and his
squadron at Manila they suffered
heavy losses and were completely
routed.
THURSDAY.
A full report of the bombardment
of Matanzas by the cruisers New
York and Cincinnati and the Monitor
Puritan reached Washington to-day
from Admiral Sampson. It proves
the superior gunnery of the American
ships, nearly every one of their shots
telling heavily. The batteries were
silenced and appai ently nearly des
troyed. Sixty Spaniards are said to
have been killed.
For some days the Cincinnati,
which has been blockading the port,
noticed that large bodies of men were
erecting new batteries on a low,
sandy point that runs out near the
entrance to the port. A report was
sent to Admiral Sampson, with a noti
fication that the Dupont had been
fired on by a concealed battery.
The Admiral on the flagship New
York left his cruising ground about
noon yesterday and proceeded toward
Matanzas. He found there the moni
tor Puritan and the cruiser Cincinnati,
which have been blockading the port.
The Admiral decided to make a
reconnoisance in force for the purpose
of locating the batteries, discovering
the kind of guns they mounted, and,
if possible, stopping the work of forti
fying.
Matanzas lies at the head of a bay
about four miles from the sea. This
bay at its mouth is three miles wide.
On the west side of the bay is Port
Rubalcava and on the east side Point
Maya.
The New York led the way into
the bay. Tne Puritan was a few hun
dred yards astern on the port side,
and the Cincinnati remained behind a
slightly greater distance astern on the
starboard side. Not a human being
could be seen on shore.
Suddenly a small battery on the
eastern side of the bay opened fire on
the New York. Two shells fell short
of the vessels.
The range of the east battery was
nearly 7000 yards, but the flagship
promptly opened fire with one of her
8-inch guns. The engagement in a
few minutes became general.
The New York steamed quickly in
and circled to the westward toward
Point Rubalcava, while the Puritan
swung to starboard to engage the
Maya battery, which was the more
foimidable.
The target practice of the flagship
was an inspiring sight. At every shot
from her batteries clouds of dust and
big pieces of stone showed where the
Spanish forts were suffering.
The New York soon reduced the
range from 7000 to 3000 yards, and
soon wt s tossing shells into Rubal
cava at the rate of about three a
minute with wonderful precision.
In the meantime the Puritan was
taking care of Point Maya. It was
so well masked that the only target
was the infrequent smoke from the
battery. But when the Puritan got
the range her shells burst every time
within the fortification and great was
the explosion thereof.
All this time the Cincinnati had re
mained out of action. One can
imagine the impatience of Captain
Chester and his enthusiastic crew at
not being allowed to take a hand in
this, the first battle of the war.
Captain Chester himseif signaled
for permission to engage, and it was
granted by the flagship. The Cincin
nati steamed up to wiihin 2000 yards
broadside on, and almost immediately
her guns were at work.
Fot twenty minutes the rain of shot
and shell 011 the flimsy batteries con
tinued, when they were practically
silenced.
The New York was just giving the
signal to retire when one defiant shot
was fired from Rubalcava. One of
the big guns on the Puritan followed
back. It was the best shot of the day.
It struck the battery just where the
gun was, tore its way into the earth-
works and exploded, doing great des
truction.
Not a shell had struck one of the
vessels, but there had been three nar
row misses of the New York. The
Spanish fired shrapnel once which had
burst above the ship, a shell hart
struck just fore of her and another
struck just aft. The fact that the
Spaniards failed to strike such a large
target as the New York was taken as
evidence that they are not good
marksmen.
Our fleet threw probably a hun
dred shell during the engagement,
while the batteries did not shoot pro
bably more than twenty-five times.
If the action is to be taken as a
measure of the accuracy of the Span
ish gunnery, the American fleet will
not have a difficult task in reducing
Havana and other fortifications on
the Cuban coast. The New York
and Cincinnati, both large ships, lay
broadside on the batteries at Matan
zas for twenty minutes, offering a tar
get that any expert gunner could
hardly have missed, but no shell came
nearer than one hundred yards, and
some fell nearly a mile off.
The American sailors are full of
enthusiasm over the fight.
FRIDAY.
The department at Washington
received no word to-day from Admiral
Dewey's squadron which is on its way
to the Phillippines to do battle with
the Spanish fleet.
United States troops will leave
Tampa for an invasion of Cuba with
in the next few days. Orders were
issued to-day by the War Department
to the troops mobilized at Southern
points to be ready to start at a mo
ment's notice.
General Lee has returned to Wash
ington, and had long conferences with
Adjutant-General Corbin, Secretary
Alger and General Shafter, in regard
to the general plan of campaign.
General Lee expressed himself as not
in the least surprised at the ease with
which Admiral Sampson's fleet had
demolished the forts at Matanzas.
He did not seem to think that the
capture of the Cuban capital would
be a very difficult task.
Preparations for enlisting the 10,000
immunes are rapidly progressing
and all indications show that the en
tire quota will be made inside of a
few weeks.
It is the opinion to-day in a r my
circles that Matanzas will be S...ed
in a few days and the destruction of
the battery intended to guard that
harbor by Admiral Sampson's fleet is
taken as an assurance of this fact.
It is no longer a secret that the
Cuban and American forces are work
ing in harmony to whip the Spaniards.
Colonel Emilio Nunez, head of all the
important Cuban filibustering expedi
tions, arrived at Tampa this morning
from Washington and was met by a
member of General Wade's headquar
ters, where a lengthy conference was
held. Information from authentic
sources substantiates the fact that this
government is co-operating with the
Cuban leaders and that the first inva
sion made on the Spaniards' forces
will be under the direction of Colonel
Nunez, and backed by men and artill
ery from this government. Already
there is a large number of Cuban vol
unteers here who are well supplied
with Winchester rifles and other war
implements who have been awaiting
the arrival of the Cuban leader before
they join Gomez's forces.
SATURDAY.
Officials of the Navy Department
believe that the first great naval battle
of the war will be fought to-day at or
near Manila between the squadron of
Commodore Dewey and the Spanish
fleet in the Philipines, possibly sup
ported by the land batteries at Manila.
There was some little shooting to
day. In answer to a volley fired from
Spanish on Shore at Cabanas, thirty
eight miles west of Havana last night,
the New York sent eleven shells in
the direction of the Spaniards. The
enemies fire was silenced after the
first shot from the New York.
Whether any Spaniards were killed or
wounded was not ascertained.
BLOOMSBURG, PA., THURSDAY. MAY 6. 1898.
SUNDAY.
The first nival battle of the war
took place to-day in the harbor of
Manilla and resulted in a complete
victory for the United States fleet un
der the command of Commodore
Dewey. As a result the three largest
Spanish vessels were sunk, two were
totally disabled, others unknown were
sent to the bottom of the harbor, and
the remaining few were small wooden
vessels of no consequence.
Dewey's fleet consisting of six ves
sels, Olympia, Baltimore, Boston,
Raleigh, Concord and Petrel, steamed
into the roadstead of Manilla Saturday
night and at daybreak opened fire
both on the fleet and the Spanish for
tifications. The forts and the Spanish
fleet numbering nine ships returned
the fire and the first real battle of the
war was on. The finest vessel in the
enemy's fleet was the Maria Christina,
which was destroyed and her com
mander killed. The Castilla was
scuttled, the San Juan de Austria was
blown up and the rest scattered. Not
a single American ship was lost. It
was a remarkable feat and Commo
dore Dewey is the hero of the hour.
Full details of the battle will be
delayed, as the Spaniards control the
cables.
The following is the text of the
official dispatch from the Governor-
General of the Philippines to the
Minister of War, Lieutenant-General
Correa, as to the engagement.
"Last night, April 30, the batteries
at the entrance to the fort announced
the arrival of the enemy's squadron
forcing a passage in the obscurity of
the night. At daybreak the enemy
took up positions, opening with a
strong fire against Fort Cavite and
the arsenal.
"Our fleet engaged the enemy in a
brilliant combat, protected by the
Cavite and Manilla forts. They ob
liged the enemy, with heavy loss, to
maneuver repeatedly. At 9 o'clock
the American squadron took refuge
behind the foreign merchant shipping,
on the east side of the bay.
"Our fleet, considering the enemy's
superiority, naturally suffered a severe
loss. The Maria Christina is on fire
and another ship, believed to be the
Don Juan de Austria, was blown up.
"There was considerable loss of
life. Captain Cadasso, commanding
the Maria Christina, is among the
killed. I cannot now give further
details.
MONDAY.
There has been no news received
at Washington from Dewey concern
ing the great victory, but it is believed
Manilla is in his hands. London re
ports from Madrid say that the forts
have been razed and the city of
Manilla burned.
One of the latest despatches says :
"No Spanish warship surrendered
and the majority perished. Two
Spanish commanders were killed
while resisting to the last moment.
"The Spanish losses are estimated
at four hundred men killed, including
many natives.
"The American squadron attacked
furiously both the Spanish squadron
and Cavite, where it caused great
damage.
Further details of the celebrated
battle.
The American fleet entered Manila
Bay on Sunday at 5 o'clock in the
morning. On arriving at their an
chorage the Cavite fort opened fire at
long range. The Spanish fleet an
chored off Cavite followed. The
American ships then drew close in
and opened a terrible cannonade.
After half an hour the Americans
moved out of range of lighter
Spanish guns and continued the can
nonade with big guns with terrible
effect. At the end of twenty minutes
the American fleet again drew into
close quarters, the cannonade being
rapid and incessant.
The Spanish fleet was destroyed,
three vessels burning, one sunk and
the others silenced. The land forts
were a'so silenced. The tight lasted
an hour and a half. The Spaniards
fought bravely against a superior
force. Their loss was probably great.
The Americans were apparently un
injured. The Spaniards will not give
in, and the Americans expect to bom
bard Manila to-morrow at half past 11
o'clock.
The Americans returned to Cavite.
Some shots were still fired from the
shore, but the Americans poured in
such a terrible cannonade that further
resistance was impossible.
The spectacle was great, but terri
ble. The American attack was well
carried out, their maneuvers beautiful
and their navigation of the bay sur
prising, avoiding the numerous shal
lows all over the channel at Cavite.
With every Boy's Knee Pants Suit we give a
United States Scientific Box Kite, exact count
erparts of those now being used by the United
States Government.
Last Saturday's Busy Buyers
PLAINLY TOLD OF THE MANY BARGAINS WE ARE
OFFERING IN
Men's and Boys' Suits.
We are saving from 15 to 20 per cent, for every buyer who comes here.
No trash, no sweatshop clothing, the very best Saturday will be anotheii
busy day. Tell your friends and neighbors; keep the good news spreading.}
Elegant All Wool Hen's Suits,
Of pure wool cloths, satin piped seams, French facing, sewed throughout
with silk, a strictly high grade suit at $7.90.
Splendid all wool Suits for men at $3.98.
A splendid line of all wool Men's Suits at $5.90.
Nothing in these parts can match the suits we sell at SIO.OO, plain or
silk lined.
We.have just receiyed a large invoice of Men's All Wool Spring and
Summer Pants, made by Sweet, Orr & Co., therefore insuring strength and
wearing qualities, $2.00, all sizes.
We sell Mother's Friend Shirt Waists for boy?, laundried or not.
Straw and Crash Hats,
New line just in, 25c. and up.
Gidding & Co.
Almost Opposite jh e white Front.
Court House.
t>_ \*rt -J , Almost Opposite
The White Front. Court House.
They await the decision of the gov
ernor-general before commencing the
bombardment of Manila.
TUESDAY.
The Washington authorities are
still awaiting word from Dewey. They
are inclined to believe however that
the stars and stripes are waving over
the island. They expect to receive
an account of the situation to-morrow
or next day. The cutting of the
cable precludes the positive statement
that Manila has fallen into Dewey's
hands and that the place has surren
dered.
General Miles wants 30,000 Ameri
can troops landed in Cuba at once.
He argued that even with the Spanish
squadron possibly on 'its way to
American waters, there is no reason
why the invasion of the island should
be delayed.
It is said that the preliminary iuva
sion of Cuba will begin probably Fri
day. General Miles is now preparing
the order designating the troops to be
ready.
WEDNESDAY.
This has been a day of waiting at
the National Capitol. The news that
the Revenue cutter McCollough,
which is attached to Commodore
Dewey's fleet, as a dispatch boat had
arrived at Mirs Bay forty miles from
Hong Kong was welcome news. It
was expected, therefore, by McKin
ley that before the day closed Dewey's
official account of the battle off
Manila would be received. But it
has not yet arrived.
Vice President Hobart spent con
siderable time at the White House to
day. He said that the President was
in possession of information tending
to show that Manila has surrendered
and that the American flag is float
ing over that city.
It was rumored at Washington to
night that Dewey has cabled to the
President he is in possession of Manila
and adds that he will send full details
later.
Sampson has not encountered the
Spanish flotilla as yet, but news of
such an engagement is expected at
any time.
THURSDAY.
There is no war news this morning,
Dewey's report not yet having been
received by the President. Sampson's
fleet has sailed from Key West to meet
the Spanish fleet at Porto Rico.
TRUSTEES EhEOTbD.
At the annual election by the
stockholders of the Normal School,
last Monday afternoon, the follow
ing persons were elected Trustees
on the part of the stockholders for
the next three years : F. P. Bill
meyer, A. Z. Schoch, J. M. Clark,
A. L. Fritz; and J. A. Funston,
Grant Herring, R. E. Hartman and
J. R. Schuyler were nominated to
the State Superintendent from whom
to select two trustees on the part of
the State. Those who attended the
election were treated to a plate of
ice cream in red, white and blue
layers, with strawberries, and cake
with our flag iced on top. It was
the day on which the news of
Dewey's victory came, and Steward
Housel provided these patriotic re
freshments in honor of the victory.
MAY NEED THE VOLUNTEERS.
It looks now as if the many vol
unteer companies throughout the
state will have a chance to serve
Uncle Sam within a short time.
; The companies will be recruited up
to the full war footing of one hun
dred members each. This will be
done in order to make up the full
quota of men to be furnished by this
state. A great many members of
the guard will be rejected for vari
ous reasons. Some are too old and
many others will not be able to pass
the physical examination. These
vacancies will have to be filled by
recruits, and it may be that tbp
Bloomsburg young men, who are
so desirous of getting in line, will
have an opportunity, not as a com
pany, because it is impossible to
get the number of men required for
a full company, but they will be
taken to fill up.
Miss Edith Traub aged twenty
years, died at the home of her parents
Mr. and Mrs. John Traub in Fern
ville Saturday night. The deceased
had been in feeble health for a long
time, and for the past three weeks had
been confined to her bed. The fun
eral took place from the house yester
day afternoon, conducted by Rev. M.
E. McLinn of the Lutheran Church,
of which she was a member. She
was also a member and took an active
part in the Christian Endeavor of the
Church.
NO. 18
Edward Leighow, a well knowr>
young man of this town, hired a horse
of Buckalew Bros, on Saturday even
ing and drove to Millville. He tied
the horse to a hitching post in front
of a dwelling and went in to make a
call. He remained in the house
some little time. When he started
home he discovered that the horse
and carriage was missing. He search
ed about the premises, but could find
no trace of the outfit and was obliged
to foot it home. He learned
that the horse had been left at Sprit&
Run, some few miles above Millviller
On Monday morning Leighow and
R. C. Buckalew started for that plac
They found the horse and buggy at
the barn of a man by the name of
Cox. He stated that it had been
left there during the night sometime,
but by whom he was unable to say.
It is hard to understand the motive of
the perpetrator whoever he was. If
he intended to steal the animal he
surely wouldn't have left it, after
driving but a few miles. It was more
than likely done for a joke.
Several people witnessed a fist
fight at the D. L. & W. Depot on
Saturday noon. A stranger, who
claimed to be a Spaniard, on his way
home to fight for his country, became
very insulting in his remarks to an
old man, who, judging from his ap
pearances was about sixty-five years
of age. The old man stood it for a
while, but finally, his American blood
began to boil, he could no longer con
trol his angry passion, and he went at
the foreigner, with all his might, land
ing several severe blows. Our in
formant, who claims to have been an
eye witness, says the Weylerite, in
order to escape punishment got down
under a seat in the car.
K. G. E. PABADE BAY, SOEANTON-
Reduced Rates via Pennsylvania Railroad.
Fot the benefit of persons desiring
to witness the K. G. E. parade at
Scranton, Pa., on May 10, 1898, the
Pennsylvania Railroad Company will
sell excursion tickets from stations on
its line (except Pittsburg, and Erie
and stations east of Trenton, Borden
town, and Mt. Holly), to Scranton
and return at rate of single fare for
the round trip. These tickets will be
sold May 9 and 10, good to return
until May 11.