How The Battle Was Won

Juraga, Cuba, July 4. - The following description of the battle between the American and Spanish warships In those waters was written by the only ncmcombatant who witnessed the en'rire engagement. The non-combatant was the oorrespondent of the The Associated Press, who saw the battle from a position almost at the elbow of Commodore Schley on the United States armored cruiser Brooklyn. It is a custom on ships, regulated by .he rules, that there shall be a general muster at least once each three months and that the articles of war shall b read. First cali had been sounded at 9:15 a. m. Sunday and the men were assembling on the decks. The lookout in the masthead of the Brooklyn had some time before reported smoke In the harbor, but as the same thing had been noticed several times, no special attention was paid to it. The Brooklyn and the Vixen were the only shlps t the west of the entrance, the other ships having drifted well to the east. On the bridge Navigator Hodgson of he Brooklyn said sharply to the lookout: "Isn't that smoke moving?" and he lookout, after a minute's inspection. with the long glass dropped it excltedly and fairly yelled: "There's a big snip coming out of the harbor, air." Hodgson, who Is a partlcularly cool man, looked once himself and then grasping the megaphone, shouted: 'After bridge, there. Teil the commodore the enemy's squadron is coming out" : Commodore Schley was sitting undep the awning on the quarter deck. Q&ing to the bridge he said: "Raise th signal to the squadron," and turning to Captain Cook he gave the order, 'Clsar snip for action." Then he went torward and took hie place dn a little platform of wood built for him outsido ;he connlng tower. The men with a yell wejt to their gnne and rapid preliminary orders were glven. Schley, glasses in hand, watohed the flrst ship turn out and saw her start for the west. Still, he gave no signal to flre or move. The Oregon opened with her thirteen-inch shells and the Indiana and Texas followed suit, but the range was long. Still the Brooklyn waited. Schley wanted to know which way the enemy's shipa were going and whether or not they would scatter. In the meantime tho Oregon began to turn to the west and the Texas had moved in claser and was damaging the leading ship, the Inïanta Maria Teresa. "They are all coming west, sir," shouted Lieu tenant Sears, and just then the western batteries opened up. "Full speed ahead, open fire," shouted the commodore. "And don't waita a shot," he added. In an instant the Brooklyn's terriflc port side opened and the cruiser headed for a point in front of the flrst escaping ship, firing at and recelving tl fife from two vessels. At 10:11 a. m. the Spanish ships had all concentrated their shots on the Brooklyn and she was in a perfect rain of shells, most of which went over her. Standing in this hall, Commodore Schley asked a young man named BJllis, who stood near him wlth a stadimeter, "What is the distance to tb Vizcaya?" The man took the observation, "Twenty-two hundred yards, sir," he said, and there was a whlgtle, followed by a splash, as his head vas literally torn from his shoulders by an eight-in-ch shell. "Too bad," said Commodore Bchley, as the body feil at his feet, and then, with his glasses to his eyes, he added, "The first ship is done for; she is runr ning ashore." When all the Spanish vessels, exoept the Cristóbal Colon, had been destroyed, the Brooklyn began the chaae of the survivor, the Oregon closing up rapidly and following. The other vessels at this time were from six to eight miles behind, and Admiral Sampson's flagship, the NonYork, was nat in sight. At 11:15 the Brooklyn, slightly injured by the hall of Spanish shells, stopped flring. The men came on deck and began to cher nevar heeding the whistle of the shell. They cheered for SchJey and Clark. and the Oregon's men returned th cheer. Up to the masthead of the Oregon went a pennant. "Rememher the Maine," read the signal offlcer. "Teil them we have," said Schley and there was a roar as the answer went up. The chase was in full force at 11:65, the men out on the decks watching with great interest and as happy as larks. The Colon, at a día tance of five miles, hugged the shore but Sehley ordered the Oregon to fol low her and then, with the Brooklyn, he made a straight course for Cape Cruz, around which she would have to steer on a long detour to get airay. All three ships were pumping along at great speed, the smoke pourlng ou of their funnels. In an hour tS Brooklyn had galned appreciahly, aai so had the Oregon, and Capt. Clark of the latter snip signaled: "A strange ship looking like an Italian In the distancie." He alluded to the faot tha the Cristóbal Colon was bouLh.t firom ïtaly. Schley, eitting on the edf oí the forwmrd teht-inch turTet, awinctos bt lega and looking happy, Müd: "TUI O Oregon she can try one of tbose thii een-inch railroad trains on her." There was a terrible roar as the big heil went by the Brooklyn, a moment f suspense and watching, and then a earty cheer, as the big thing struck Jie water close astern of the Colon, our miles away. Another was tried, which reached the mark, and there were more cheers. Then the Brooklyn opened her forward and starboard ight-inch guns, and one shell was seen o go through the Colon at the top f her armored belt. As the big ships moved in on the uarry, the smoke of the New York ould be seen coming over the horizon from the east, but she was fully twelve miles away. A boat was lowered from the Brookyn and Capt. Cook went aboard to receive the surrender. The rear-admiral in charge sat with tears in his yes. "I surrender unconditionally to Commodore Schley. We were badly hurt and could not get away." While Capt. Cook was returning to he Brooklyn, the New York, with Admiral Sampson, carne along, ran in jetween the Brooklyn and the prize, and ordered Capt. Cook to send the prisoners on board the New York. Commodore Schley, seeing this, megaphoned over: "I request the honor of receiving the surrender of the offlcers of the Cristóbal Colon." No answer was vouchsafed him from the New York, and the ship that had not fired a shot took the honor. Commodore Schley then raised the pennant 'A glorious victory has been won - details later." The answer from the ew York was "Report your casualties." FLIES FLAG OF TRUCE. Santiago Displays Sign of Coming Surrender to Shafter. Washington, July 13.- The following dispatch from General Shafter was received here to-day: Playa del Este, by way of HaytiJuly 12.- Headquarters Fifth Army Corps: Adjutant General, Washington - It has been very quiet, with but little Ighting. A flag of truce has Deen up since 2 o'clock, allowing for consideraron of a propoeition for surrendering now that I have the town surroundec on the north. ETnes were completèc at 5 p. m. by General Ludlow light down to the bay. The line is rathei thin, but I will have it strengthened In the morning by General Henry, who ias just arrived at headquarters. There have beenr only three or four casualties. No one killed so far as I can learn. Eipect to have two of the new batteries in position to-morrow. Grea deal of suffering among the people who have gone out of Santiago. Am doing my beet to relieve it, but am no entirely successful. SHAFTER. Rásala and the Philippinei. St Petersburg, July 13. - Discussing the events of the war between Spain and the United States, which it regards aa practically over, the Novoe Vremya observes that the political situation largely depends upon the attitude of Russia. It adds: "With respect to the Philippine islands, the time has arrived to clearly state Russia's policy. Rusia has no positive interets in the Philippine islands. If they are divided, the best parte will fall to Germany, Great Britain and Japan, thereby strengthning them in the Pacific. Threfore it is to Russia's advantage that the Philippine islands remain in the possession of a ingle power, whether Spain or the United States, and Russia would prefer to see the islands in the possession of Spain and under the protection of the United States, who would keep out other claimants. By working in this direotion, Russia would not only uphold her own interests, but would serve the cause of general peace." Can Not Have Our Coal. New York, July 13. - A special cablegram reporta that the Danish authorities have informed United States Coneul Van Home that coal, of which the United States has 8,000 tons in the har■bor of St. Thomas, is contraband o war, and that lts removal by the Unite States so long as this government i at war with Spain will not be permit ted. CFbv. Ledermann informed the consul, aocording to this dispatch, tha any attempt to remove the coal in ques tlon would be resisted by the Germán Franca and Italian warahips in the karbor and waters near by. Consul Van Horneis said to have re ferred the subject to the authorlties et Washington. Ko Peace Orertwr Mad. Washington, July 18. - Secretary o Btate Day, on entering the cabine meeting to-day, authorized the state ment that no peace overtures of any kind have beea made. Fifteen Men KUled. Dover, N. J., July 13.- An explosión in the works of the Laflin & Ranc powder compaay at Pompton Lakes today killed flfteen men, among ihem several soldiere who had been detailed to guard the powder works. A shor time ago there was an explosión which killed six men. After the accident thi moming the military fofmed in lin and stood guard about the plant and refused to allow any one to approach the works. The names of the dead and wounded have not yet been ascer tained. Rebel Turn the Tables. London, July 13.- The Hong Kon eorrespondent of the Times says: "Dis turbances continue on the West river A Paklaa mafistrate, who had offere a reward ior the capture of a rebe cfaief, was himsolf captured by th cbief. The latter dronchcd the mag istrata with. kerosene and burned hlm afterwsrd butöuering the magtetrate' JMnfY