Rensselaer Democrat, Volume 1, Number 4, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 6 May 1898 — GREAT VICTORS AT SEA. [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

GREAT VICTORS AT SEA.

Terrible Destruction Dealt the Spanish War Vessels. FLEET IS BURNED AND SUNK. Comodore Dewey’s American Shells Do Awful Havoc at Manila. VENGEANCE FOR TOE MAINE. Madrid Advices Admit Crushing Defeat and the Loss of 200 Men. Our Asiatic Squadron Almost Annihilates the Spanish Fleet in a Terrific Battle Off Cavite. Near the Capital of the Philippine Islanda-One of the Great Naval Engagements of the Age —The Reina Maria. Christina and Castilla Are Burned. While the Don Juan de Austria Is Blown Up-Oth-ers Are Sunk to Save Them from Being Captured. Washington special: The first battle of the war for Cuban freedom has been fought und victory crowns American arms. The Maine has been remembered and its murdered seamen have been avenged in far away waters. The Asiatic squadron of the United States, Commodore Dewey commanding, engaged and completely defeated the Asiatic squadron of Spain in the harbor of Manila, m tho Philippine lnlanas. Reports of the terrific battle at the time this is written are meager. From the general drift of the dispatches it would appear that Commodore Dewey, with his fleet- of five cruisers—the Olympia (flag-

■bip), Baltimore, Boston, Concord, and Raleigh—and the gunboat Petrel approached the shore under cover of the darkness on Saturday night and at daybreak Sunday morning steamed into Manila Bay, where he found himself confronted by the Spanish fleet, which had not sailed away, as had been stated, and the shore batteries. Numerically the odds were against him. 'To our six cruisers and one gunboat were opposed eight ernisefs and five gunboats. To our 118 guns were opposed 148 guns. But the American guns were heavier, the American vessels were stancher and stronger, and American senmen and gunners—there are no barter in the world. The action began at once and there were two engagements during the day, the result of which was the destruction of the Reina Christina (the flagship of the Spanish squadron), the Don Juan de Austria, whose commander was killed, and the Castilla. Madrid dispatches say that others were sunk to avoid capture and that the American fleet was severely damaged. There are no intimations, however, that any American vessel was destroyed. If there had been the news would have been sent out by the Spantards speedily and exultantly. Under the protectioa of the guns of the Manila fortifications the Spanish warships opened fire oa the American fleet, for several hours the harbor resounded with the roar of the guns, the crashing of ■teel and timbers, the shrieks and groans •f the wounded. Thick clouds of smoke at times almost obscured the opposing fleets from each other. A well-directed ■hot reached the iron cruiser Don Juan de Austria, a vessel of 1,100 tons. A terrific explosion followed and the ship was blown up. There was a heavy loss of life amonj the Spanish. Captaia Cadarzo, commandtor the Maria Christina, was killed. Copi; .jaodore Montejo, commanding the fleet' shifted his flag from the Maria Christina to the Isle de Cuba, a much smaller steel protected cruiser, just before the Christina sank.

WASHINGTON WILD WITH JOY. News of Victory Off Manila Met with Patriotic Acclaim. The national capital was delirious with joy Sunday night over the news of the glorious naval victory in the Philippines. The bulletin boards in front of the newspaper otflees were surrounded all the evening by enthusiastic, cheering crowds, and nt midnight the broad avenues were still pronged with excited groups discussing the meager details of the battle, while hordes of scrambling newsboys filled the city with the noise of their cries of extras. Not since the dark days of the great civil conflict of a third of a century ago have the people of the capital city been so profoundly moved by war news. Said President McKinley when he was shown the Madrid dispatch regarding the engagement between Dewey’s squadron and the Spanish fleet off the Philippines, "That looks favorable. If the Spaniards admit that much, Dewey must have won a substantial victory." The first news of the battle received in Washington came in a brief cablegram from Madrid about 8 o’clock Sunday evening. As the night wore on the cable continued to sing the news of victory for tlm* squadron of Admiral Dewey and the interest grew into tremendous excitement. Ordinarily, Washington is the quietest of cities on Sunday, but as bulletin after bulletin was posted in front of the newspaper otflees, each successive one conveying information more gratifying then its predecessor, the crowds in the streets became uproarious. Good as well as bad news spread rapidly and by 10 o’clock the streets were crowded with people, all discussing the one exciting topic of the hour. While victory had been expected, the news of it — coming as it did from Spanish sources — gave vent to the patriotism of the people which has been pent up for days. It was a spontaneous outburst of patriotic feeling that scarcely knew bounds. Admiral Dewey’s name was on every lip and his praises were sung in the rejoicings of the people. WIDE NOT ADJOURN, Congress to Remain in Session Durins the Progress of the War. Congress, according to what most of the leaders ijay, is likely to remain in session until the war with Spain is over, even if the struggle should be prolonged until December. It is most important that it should, in view of the possibility of complications with other European nations. A number of Congressmen look for interference on the part of the several powers, whose interests and sympathies are with Spain, and decidedly against the United States or any strong republic. It is probable, however, that during the hot summer weather, should the war continue Until then, brief recesses will be taken, and the members generally will remain close to Washington, so that they can return on short notice.

SPAIN FEELS HUNGER. War Is Causing a Rapid Rise in Prices of Food, A dispatch from Madrid says that the <?ffect of the war on the prices of food is beginning to be felt acutely. An impending rise in the price of bread in Madrid and the provinces is announced. The manufacturers at Palma, Majorca, have been compelled to reduce their work and discharge many employes. Thousands of artisans and their families are in distress. Another dispatch from Madrid says the Spanish Government is bewildered by the attitude of Great Britain. The Spanish officials profess to believe that the people and the Government of England are not in accord, and that the official acts of the British Government are due to some secret compact with the United States. List of Prizes Captured. This is the list of Spanish prizes captured by American ships since the war began: Prize. Captor. Str. Buena Ventura Cruiser Nashville Str. Pedro Cruiser New York Fishing schooner ....Torpedo boat Erickson Schooner Mathilde Torpedo boat Porter Schooner Candldla ....Gunboat Wilmington Str. Catalina .Cruiser Detroit Str. Saturnla Revenue cutter Winona Schooner Antonio Torpedo boat Porter

Str. Panama ..Lighthouse tender Mangrove Sloop paouetteGunboat Newport Schooner PlrenesGunboat Newport Str. Ambrose Bolivar Monitor Terror Str. Guido Monitor Terror Are Massing at Santiago. Advices received at Kingston .Jamaica, show that the Spaniards have abandoned Corjamo, Jignari, and other important interior cities in eastern Cuba, and are sonoontrating at Santiago. The rebels have taken possession of the abandoned towns. The insurgent loaders in eastern Cuba are urgently appealing for food.

Spanish commander of Santiago de Cuba, who has ordered that all men between 15 and 50 years old must “volunteer” or be shot.

COMMODORE DEWEY, HERO OF MANILA.

GENERAL PAN DO.