THE WAR.

Te Aroha News, Volume XIV, Issue 8, 30 April 1898, Page 2

THE WAR.

BOMBARDMENT OF HAVANA AND MATANZAS. 300 SHOTS FIRED. EARTHWORKS DEMOLISHED AND GUNS DISMANTLES MANY SPANISH SOLDIERS KILLED. AMERICAN WARSHIPS NOT INJURED. > ' Washington, April 29.* THE American squadron, which has been blockading |Havana and Matanzas since- Saturday last, commenced active hostilities to-day. A number of the warships commenced operations off Havana harbor, and by means of their long-range guns succeeded in doing great gexecution, killing many of the Spanish garrison. In the 'bombardment the American warships, by reason of their superior armament, whil® they dropped their murderous projectiles into the city, were able to keep pretty well outside the range of the less effective- armament of the Havana and sustained little ,orno damage from the return fire Almost simultaneously with the. bombardment of Havana three American warships opened fire on Matauzas' one of the principal Cuban centres and a coaling- port, with a view to preventing the construction of earth works by the Spanish garrison that is in possession, of the place. The bombardment lasted for nearly an hour. ' ; ■ Much damage- was done in Matanzas. The shore batteries replied to the American fire, but the warships were not touched. Naval experts declare that the protected cruisers belonging to Admiral Duvey’s American squadron, whichrecently left Hongkong for the Phiilippines are superior to the Spanish cruisers, which have loft Manilla to meet the American squadron, though the Spaniards have a more numerous fleei. - • x ■