War News.

Manawatu Herald, 17 May 1898, Page 2

War News.

The latest cablegrams notify two repulses for the Americans, both in Cuba, and both received whilst endeavouring to secure a landing. The first attack was made by the cruiser Wilmington and a cutter and a torpedo boat. These vessels attacked the port of Cardenas, situated on the north coast of Cuba, and distant abeut 75 miles east of Havana. The town has a population of 12,000. The gunboats, we learn and the forts, shelled the attacking vessels and drove them off, all being damaged. Reports from Havana announce that four American warshipg attacked Cienfuegas but the coast infantry and forts compelled the warships to retire. Cienfugas lies on the south coast of Cuba and is about 140 miles south of Havana. The town has a population of 64,000. If both these reports are true, and coming through American sources they most likely are, it shows that the Spaniards are better prepared for the defence of Cuba than was expected, or that the Americans at anyrute underestimated the opposition to expect. The record is a feather in the cap of the Spaniards and it appears bad management on the part of the Americans to court so easy a repulse. ' The Americans claim that nine warships have bombarded the forts guarding San Juan the capital of the Spanish island, Porto Eioo, and that the town has surrendered. On the other hand the Spaniards say the damage done was inconsiderable. Porto Rico is an island lying 75 miles east of Haiti which is the island between Porto Rico and Cuba. The American squadron have been lying at Haiti waiting for the Spanish Cape Verde Squadron and to pass the time have been praot- j I ing on Porto Rioo. Evidently they will have something more serious to do as the Spanish vessels have arrived at Martinique, which is another island of that long line of islands stretching from Ouba to the South American ooast. A meeting should take place, ancj if an engagement between the JjSMLfl^Hts" does occur the result will be looked forward to with intense interest, as should the Spaniards lose, then the war should be quickly ended, and, on the contrary, if they are successful America will have a very uphill fight for a long time.