DEATH OF CERVERA.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 476, 7 April 1909, Page 7

DEATH OF CERVERA.

ECHO OF THE SPANISH-AMERICAN • WAR. (dt TEr.r.flmpn—rasss association—copinianr.) Madrid, April 5. The death has occurred at Cadiz of Admiral Cervera, who 'commanded the Spanish Squadron at the Battle of Santiago in the Spanish-American War, aetat 70. CERVERA'S GALLANTRY. HE FACED AN IMPOSSIBLE TASK. Pascual Cervora y Topote Cervera, Spanish admiral, was born at Medina Sidonia nn February 18, 1839. Hβ showed an early inclination for the sea, and his family sent him to the iNaval Cadet School at the age of twelve. As a sub-lioutenant h>l took part in the naval operations off the coast of Morocco during the campaign of 1859-60. Then he was for some time engaged in operations in the Sulu Islands ?? 4 l , hi l! ppines ' Afterwards he was on the West Indian station during the early part of the first Cuban war (1869-78), returning to »pam in 1873 to serve on the Basque coast against the Carlists. He distinguished himself in defending the Carraca- arsenal near Cad''z against tne Federals in 1873. . He won each step in his promotion up to flag-rank through his steadiness and brilliant conduct in action, and was awarded the crosses of the Orders of Military and Naval Merit, Isabell the Catholic, and St. Hermengilde, besides several medals. A Sailorman's, Experience in,. Politics. ; Cervora had a great'reputation'for decision, unbending temper, and honesty, before he was placed at the head of the Bilbaa buildingyards. This post he resigned after a few months in order to become Minister for Marine in 1892, in a Cabinet presided over by Sagasta. He withdrew from the Cabinet, when he found that his colleagues, from political motives, declined to support him in making reforms, and, on the other hand, unwisely cut down the naval estimates. When the war broke out with the Uuited States, Cervera was selected to command a squadron composed of four firstclass cruisers, the Maria Theresa, his flagship, Oquendo, Vizcaya, and' Columbus, and several destroyers. This ill-fated squadron only started upon its reckless cruise across the ocean after its gallant commander had repeatedly warned both the Minister for Marine and the Prime Minister, Sagasta, in dispatches from Cadiz and from the Canary and Cape, Verde Islands, that the ships were insufficiently provided with coal and ammunition. Some of them, indeed, even lacked proper guns. „ Ordered to Destruction. In compliance with the instruction of the Government, Admiral Ceryera mods for the land-looked harbour of Santiago de Cuba, where he co-operated in the defence, landing some guns nnd a naval brigade. In spite of his energetio representations, Cervera received an order from Madrid, dictated by political considerations, to sally forth. It meant certain destruction. The gallant squadron met forces trebly superior to it, and was totally destroyed. The admiral, three of his captains, and 1800 sailors and marines were taken by tho victors to Portsmouth, in the United States. After the war, Cervera and his captains were tried before the Supreme Naval and Military Court of the realm, which honourably acquitted them all.