The Story of Dewey's Splendid Victory Told by Those Who Won It. The Battle of Manila Bay-Confidential Information From Madrid, Showing Spanish Confidence in Their Navy-Rapid Exchange of Cables between Dewey and Long-Energetic Inquiry in the Navy Department-Everything Rushed from the Start-Dewey's Masterly Movements and Immortal Victory-The Official Reports Full of Stories of the Battle That Will be News to the People-Details of Uncommon Value-Spanish Official Report Exceedingly Interesting-Admiral Montijo was not Surprised but Fired FirstThe Celebrated Breakfast Caused by a False Alarm.

The Bureau of Navigation publishes a communication dated Madrid, the 16th of April, 1898, five days before the war opened-the name of the writer not given. He was evidently a deeply interested and well instructed observer. Attention is called to an article April 6th, in the Heraldo of Madrid, that caused much comment. We quote:

"We had an opportunity to-day to talk for a long time with General Beranger, the last secretary of the navy under the Conservative Cabinet. Το the questions which we directed to him concerning the conflict pending with the United States he was kind enough to inform us that he confided absolutely in the triumph of our naval forces. The attack on our island ports is not to be feared, he said, by an enemy taking advantage of the darkness of night. The reason of this is that Havana, as well as Cienfuegos, Nuevitas, and Santiago, are defended by electrical and automobile torpedoes, which can work at a great distance (have a large radius of action). Señor Canovas del Castillo, who did not neglect these things, arranged for, in agreement with me, the shipping to Cuba of 190 torpedoes, which are surely located in these ports at present. The transportation and installation of these war machines was in the charge of the distinguished torpedoist, Señor Chacon. I have already said that we shall conquer on the sea, and I am now going to give you my reasons. The first of these is the remarkable discipline that prevails on our war ships, and the second, as soon as fire is opened the crews of the American

ships will commence to desert, since we all know that among them are people of all nationalities. Ship against ship, therefore, a failure is not to be feared. I believe that the squadron detained at Cape de Verdes, and particularly the destroyers, should have and could have continued the voyage to Cuba, since they have nothing to fear from the American fleet. In this class of ships we are on a much higher level than the United States."

This Heraldo was the most important of the Madrid journals, and the statement about torpedoes, coming at the juncture it did, is quite striking. The Madrid correspondent who furnished the Heraldo translation wrote on that "the press has fed the people with all sorts of nonsense about the superior bravery of the Spanish sailor, the superior discipline on board the Spanish ships, and the greater fighting power of the navy. The belief in this superiority of the Spanish navy over that of the United States accounts, in a large measure, in my opinion, for the determination to fight us. This opinion

is shared also by many intelligent persons, in fact, I believe, by all Spaniards. They say they have nothing to lose, they could not be worse off with the war than without it, as they are about to lose Cuba anyhow; but they can do incalculable damage to our commerce; seriously injure, if not destroy, our navy, and, although they would probably be beaten in the end, they will have taught us a salutary lesson in the meantime. One of the most intelligent, best-informed Spaniards I have met here, a man who has traveled much, and claims to have a great admiration for the United States, and who knows much about our history and resources, a senator from the Kingdom, told me yesterday that the thing that he dreaded most was the long period that the hostilities would last. He was sure that three years would be the very least that the struggle would continue."

At this time the Spaniards thought they were rapidly getting their navy in order, and were in course of preparing Cervera's fleet, which sailed from the Cape Verdes thirteen days later. The correspondent gave the Spanish vessels that were believed to be approaching an efficient state. "The torpedo squadron, consisting of three destroyers, three torpedo boats, and the converted cruiser Cuidad de Cadiz, with the Colon and Maria Teresa, are at the Cape de Verdes awaiting instructions. It is said that the Colon and Teresa left Cadiz in such a hurry that they were not properly provisioned. Provisions and coal have been sent to them. I have no reason to believe that they have not a full supply of ammunition. The Oquendo and Vizcaya from Porto Rico

should arrive at Cape de Verdes to-day. Although I have no definite information, I believe the Pelayo arrived at Cadiz yesterday, coming from Cartagena. It was intended that she should go, after a few days' necessary delay in Cartagena, and it is reported that she was sighted in the Straits of Gibraltar day before yesterday. The Proserpina, Osado, Destructor, Barcelo, Retamosa, Habana, Halcon, torpedo boats and destroyers, and the Vitoria, are now practically ready in Cadiz, awaiting the arrival of the Carlos V. and the Pelayo. The Alfonso XIII. is also about ready in Cartagena. The installation for moving the guns by electricity in the Carlos V. is not completed, and I am unable to get at the estimate of the date when she will be entirely ready for service. It is said on good authority, however, that in an emergency she could be used at once, working such parts as have not power applied by hand. Work is being pushed, also, as rapidly as possible on the Cisneros, but she can hardly be ready for many weeks. The trans-Atlantic steamers Mexico, Panama, Santo Domingo, San Augustin, and Villaverde, now in Cuban waters, are being armed as auxiliary cruisers. Nine transAtlantic steamers in Spanish ports at present are also being armed as cruisers. To this number should be added the Columbia and Normannia, recently purchased in Germany, and the Giralda, now being converted in Barcelona. This makes twenty-one auxiliary cruisers concerning which I have quite definite information. The two steamers bought in Germany were strengthened there, and are in condition to receive their artillery and crew when they arrive at Cadiz, which is expected to-day."

Other ships were to be taken by the government, and there were extraordinary precautions to prevent the getting out of news about the ships, upon the assumption that Cervera would do the unexpected. This publication gives in better form than it has been found elsewhere, the basis of fact upon which the Spanish rested their anticipations of successfully disputing our supremacy at sea.

The cable was in April kept busy between the Navy Department at Washington, and Admiral George Dewey at Hongkong. The dispatches run: Washington, April 1, 1898.

Dewey, Hongkong:

Fill up with provisions purchased on station; then how many days' provisions have you on hand? How much soap and tobacco shall I ship?

LONG.