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THE HONGKONG WEEKLY PRESS AND
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belittle it, but they recognize that in order to the transports to land. A German steamer that carry a campaign through on proper lines there recently arrived with coal was sent away to sen. cannot be any clash of authority betwean the cargo not being ordered either by Admiral Americans and insurgents on critical points. Dewey or Admiral von Diedrichs. The Raleigh Differences may have arisen between officers assisted by the Callao is backing up Camp of the American forces and those of the insur- Dewey by anchoring close inland, where she gents which may have caused light misunder-commands the Spanish lines and forts. The standings, but whenever Admiral Dewey or Nanshan is being loaded with all gear and General Merritt want anything in the hands of extra tackle from the different men-of-war the insurgents to which they have a just claim in prior to their going into the second engage war, or decide on a line of action which might ap ment for the capture of Manila, which is now pear to conflict with the arrangements of General imminent. All of Dewey's vessels are practi Aguinaldo, they invariably hare their own way. cally cleared for action and it would take but a The chief matter of interest around Aguinaldo's very short time to pour iron rain into the forts headquarters is the meeting of the Philippine of Manila. Congress or House of Delegates. Such a body has been organized and it has held diliberations with regular decorum and rules of order. Most of the debates are behind closed doors, but it is reported that a leading topic of discussion is the attitude towards the Americans, with a considerable majority in favour of assisting them in every way possible. The insurgent forces are now massing in greater strength to the north and east of Manila..
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The second battle in Manila Bay has been long expected, but the indications are now plain that the issue cannot be long delayed. Had Admiral Dewey paid no respect to the rights of non-combatauts and not wished to avoid loss of life and proprty, he could easily have taken the city two months or more ago.
SPECIAL 4th August. The frst battle land between the American and Spanish forces has been fought. The first effort of Spanish soldiers to drive back the invaders bas met with signal failure. The first test of American and Spanish valour bas developed none of the cowardice and incapacity attributed by the Dons to the Yankees. The volunteers of General Merritt's Army have shown the cool- daring, and spirit of veterans; the regulars have demonstrated that their training has not been in vain.
The Americans took possession of the front frenches below Malate very soon after General Merritt's arrival and the Spaniards immediately appreciated the difference. Fighting then be- came a very different affair than it had been before and war took ou a new meaning for them. Going into battle with half trained natives unused to handling rifles had not preparedness, them to meet the accurate aim aud steady fire of the Americans. When General Greene, who is in command at Camp Dewey arranged with the insurgents to racate these Malate trenches, they made no objections, apparently under- standing that it was necessary for the Am ericans to control the front of their own camp. The native soldiers simply moved further over towards the Pasig and strengthened also the lines east and north of Manila.
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The battle was not a great one nor a long one, but it made up in vigour what it lacked in extent and time. There is nothing to be! gained by exaggeration of the encounter, but justice should be done to those who acquitted themselves with true credit. It can be said that both sides fought valiantly. The Spaniards certainly made a determined movement on the American lines and kept up a galling fire after the Americans replied, only ceasing when it was apparent that further fighting meant useless loss of life.
The death of the British Consul, Mr. Walker, is profoundly regretted by those who knew him. The flags of all the vessels in the harbour were at halfmast on Tuesday, July 2, in his hon- our. Admiral Dewey speaks of Mr. Walker in At 11 o'clock on Sunday night, July 31, the highest terms. Whatever intercourse he had when the tenth Pennsylvania Volunteer Regi- with the Admiral was conducted in a most ment was occupying the trenches below Malate, acceptable manner. As Acting Amèrican the Spanish forces made an attack on the front Consul bis duties were increased during the war, and right flank of the Americans simultarcerely but he performed the functions satisfactorily. They opened with continuous volleys of mus It is hoped that the Foreign Office will im ketry supported by the guns of the fort and médiately appoint a strong man to his place. other batteries. The suddenness of the attack For some reason the Vice-Consul in charge would have been a surprise to the Americans does not seem to be as popular as might be had not they been exercising au unremitting desired, judging from what I bear Britishers surveillance of the enemy. The Pennsylvania say, but I know nothing against him myself. Infanty and Batteries A and B Utah Speaking of deaths reminds me that I have not Artillery stationed in the trenches answered the mentioned the names of those men of the Spanish fire without flinching. When their third expedition that died en route from San ammunition was being depleted and the Span- Francisco to Manila Bay. They numbered iards had shown no signs of retiring, reinforce- five (5) in all including one young lieutenautments which had been sent forward by General just out of West Point.
Greene consisting of Battalion 3rd U.S. Artil- The lieutenant's name was Robert D. Kerr,lery and the 1st California Regiment of Infanty from Charleston, West Virginia. He graduated from West Point Military School in the class of 1898 and was assigned to the engineer corps. He died July 21, of spinal menengitis, and was buried at sea July 22. The other deaths include Private Stephen R. Roddy, Co. L., 23rd Infantry Regulars, from Dallas, Texas, who was afflicted with apoplexy, July 13: Private Ralph B. Bowers, Signal Corps, U.S. Volunteers, heart failure, July 20; Private Ernest Bowker Co. F. 1st Wyoning Volunteers, Douglas, Wyoning, typhoid fever, July 24; Bugler Fred. Buckland, Co. E., 13th Minnesota Volunteers, St. Paul, Minnesota (formerly East Kent, Eng. land), apoplexy, July 27. Aside from these soldiers, there was a fireman or coal passer on the Ohio, named W. D. Kelly, who jumped over. board through the starboard ash shihte and com. mitted suicide by drowning July 19. The gen- eral health of the men was excellent and the sick list on arrival was confined to a few cases of measles, and typhoid fever.
The Monterey's time is nearly up. She has three days more before we will be at all'anxious about her. She may even come in as 'this mail goes out. When she arrives there will be little delay in settling matters,
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The Martha under care of Messrs. Evans and Whiley is very busy disposing of cargo to hungry army men, The Kwonghot has been chartered for a few days to the army and its assisted in the disembarkation of soldiers from
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came forward under hot fire and relieved the forces that had stood the first brunt of the fighting. In coming to the front they wore obliged to pass through a hellish rain of bullets caused by the cross fire of the Spaniards, but not a man flinched Several were killed and more wounded but nobody uninjured stopped for a moment: When the 3rd Artillery wheeled into the trenches after passing through the zone of fire extending over 600 yards, a wild cheer went up that told the Spaniards that they had met an enemy worthy of their vaunted valour. Then again when the 1st Californians plunged through the vortex of bullets (and these terms are no exaggeration) and took their places au- other cheer burst forth, and had it not been for the restraining influence of the officers the men would have charged the Spaniards with fixed bayonets regardless of the fact that such a
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in the night would be folly. The American blood was up.
In the meantime, although it was the dead of night, every regiment in camp had formed into line within 20 minutes after the first firing was heard. As soon as the men appreciated what was on a tremendous cheer went up all along the line that plainly showed the spirit of the men. A battalion of the Ist California Regiment was with the 3rd U. S. Artillery first sent for. ward. They were supported at a reserve dis- tance by the remainder of the California Regi- ment, and by the First Colorado Infantry. In
[Angust 13, 1898.
camp under arms remained the Nebraska Regi ment, the 18th Regulars, the Astor Battery, and detachments of other regiments. The fight lasted until the early hours of Monday through heavy rains and winds. At last the Spaniards, after experiencing heavy losses and failing to make any impression on either the front or right flank of the Americans, ceased firing and withdrew. This practically ended the battle, for the purpose of the Americans was simply to repel and not follow up the Spanish attack.
In this engagement seven Americans were killed an about forty wounded. The list of killed has been increased to 10 by later deaths in hospital. Of the wounded not more than 5 are considered serious. Most of those men who lost their lives belong to the 10th Pen- nsylvania regiment, while one or two were killed in the California and Colorado regiments and the 3rd Artillery. There is no accurate report as to the Spanish losses but they must have been heavier than the Americans in view of the strength of the return fire. There have been skirmishes every night since but the American loss has dot exceeded two or three.
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The Monterey with the collier Brutus arrived safely this morning and anchored close in to Sangley Point. She reports all well and an agreeable trip across considering conditions. She is a powerful appearing craft and will give a good account of herself.
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GENERAL GREENE THANKS THE TROGPS.
Headquarters, 2nd Brigade, U.S.,
Expeditionary Forces. Camp Dewey, Near Manila,
Angust 1st, 1898.
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General Orders No. 10.
to thank the troops engaged last night for the 1-Brigadier General Commanding desires gallantry and skill displayed by them in re- pelling such a vigorous attack by largely superior forces of the Spaniards. Not an inch of ground was yielded by the 10th Regiment Pennsylvania. Infantry and Batteries "A" aud B Utah Artillery stationed in the trenches; the Battalion 3rd Ŭ. S. Artillery and 1st Re- giment California Infantry moved forward to their support through a galling fire with the utmost intrepidity. The courage and steadi- ness shown by all in their first engagement are worthy of the highest commendation.
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Le dead will be buried with proper honours under the supervision of the Regi- mental and Battalion Commanders at 3.00 o'clock to-day in the yard of the Convent near Mericaban.
"By Command of Brigadier General Greene.
"W. G. BATES. Assistant Adjutant General."
SUREME COURT.
8th August.
IN SUMMARY JURISDICTION,
BEFORE MR. Justice Wise (PUISNE JUDGE).
CLAIM FOR HOSPITAL FEES,
J. E. Barker, of 51, Queen's Road West, was sued by the Colonial Treasurer for 832, being the amount of Government Civil Hospital fees due from defendant, who was in the hospital from 14th May to 30th May. Mr. Hursthouse appeared for plaintiff. Defendant did not appear.
Robert Chapman, steward at the Hospital. said defendant was in the hospital from the 14th May to the 30th May, and at the rate of $2 a day 832 were due from him.
Mr. Justice Wise-Did he know he would have to pay $2 a day?
Witness Yes.
Mr. Justice Wise-Did he Witness Yes.
Judgment for plaintiff.
agree to pay it?
On Monday the Hon. J. H. Stewart Look- hart, C.M.G, as special commissioner to enquire into the Kowloon extension, left for Mirs Bay, whence he will start operations, in H.M.S. Plover. He was accompanied by Hon. R. D. Ormsby and Lieut. C. F. Rundale, R.E. On Tuesday Captain R. N. Custance, of H.M.S. Barfleur, followed in torpedo boat No. 27.
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