3-086-169 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

The Spanish-American War: Manila, capital of the Philippines, and of Spain's possessions in the East, bombarded by the American Fleet under Admiral Dewey, 1898. 'View towards the mouth of the River Pasig, from the walls of the Old City. From a Photograph, supplied by Mr. W. Rankin. The great event of the war so far has been the defeat of the Spanish Squadron in the Bay of Manila...This action, it is now clear, resulted in a far more serious reverse for Spain than was at first reported. It is rumoured, though without definite confirmation, that Manila has since been successfully bombarded by the American Squadron, and that the United States flag now floats over the town. Already the engagement is spoken of as bringing the end of the war within sight in the form of European intervention, but in the absence of more definite news, owing to the cutting of the cables, any clear understanding of the situation is out of the question. In Madrid the popular dismay at the serious reverse sustained by Spain in the Philippines has resulted in demonstrations so riotous that martial law has been proclaimed.' From "Illustrated London News", 1898.