Friday, 29 April, 1898
April 29, 1898
The departure is set for Sunday morning instead of Monday. Orders have come from Paris and the Bruix will be leaving for Manila. We should
Aimé Ernest Motsch
(January 1, 1867 — April 30, 1911), French naval officer.
Sunday, 1 May, 1898
May 1, 1898
Departure This morning, we bade our final farewells to dry land. “Good luck. . . Think of us . . Do not get hit by
Tuesday, 2 May, 1898
May 2, 1898
At Sea. Peace I was almost sure that by leaving France I would witness some battles around China, better still, be involved in one. This
Wednesday, 4 May, 1898
May 4, 1898
At Sea We all believe that Europe’s task is to intervene, but almost all of us are convinced that Europe will not do so. What
Thursday, May 5, 1898
May 5, 1898
Quarter of the Nightwatch Tonight, in the mess hall, they are honoring the Spanish pilot. We drink a toast to honor Spain and encourage him
Thursday, 5 May, 1898
May 5, 1898
At Sea. Arrival in Manila This morning,I I was on duty from 4 to 8 o’clock. When I reached the bridge, I saw high mountains
Friday, May 6, 1898
May 6, 1898
Defeat Seen from the Eyes of a Spaniard I did not dare interrupt or contradict the pilot as he recounted the past events. His gestures
Friday, May 6, 1898
May 6, 1898
The Germans Their arrival is imminent. The American fleet is anchored between Cavite and Manila Bay. In the bay, an English warship, the Linnet, a small
Saturday, May 7, 1898
May 7, 1898
We were standing in a circle around the most notable Frenchman in Manila. After he has lived there for many years, nothing shocks him. He
Sunday, May 8, 1898
May 8, 1898
Deception The bombardment of the city is still being discussed. Commodore Dewey brags about seizing it at an appropriate time. But I do not believe
Monday, May 9, 1898
May 9, 1898
Vanquished I am fully aware of the problems in the minds of the Spaniards both in Manila and in Europe. They are searching high and
Sunday, May 10, 1898
May 10, 1898
Visit to Cavite At 2:00 in the afternoon, the boat left for the harbor. There were nine of us who took our seats. Each brought
Tuesday, May 10, 1898
May 10, 1898
Evening Some Lessons Learned from the Battle I am on duty tonight. That gives me time to reflect on the day’s events. The chariot of
Wednesday, May 11, 1898
May 11, 1898
Spanish Heroism The Spaniards, pretending to resist, will eventually give in at the last minute. Manila, perhaps, has more resources than we think. The Walled
Thursday, May 12, 1898
May 12, 1898
Yankees I have met all sorts of Yankees and have seen how they work. One should not expect justice, prudence, or any kind of moderation
Friday, 13 May, 1898
May 13, 1898
Captured Yesterday morning, the Americans towed the Spanish gunboat, Callao, which they had captured as it was entering the port, totally oblivious of the American fleet
Friday, 13 May, 1898
May 13, 1898
The Opinion of the People in Paimpol and Leon My assistant, a sailor from Brittany, was at my desk fixing my papers when I asked
Monday, 16 May, 1898
May 16, 1898
“Una Muerte Honorosa” Rumors are rampant. The English dispatches are suspect and we are advised not to place too much trust in them. The English
Tuesday, May 17, 1898
May 17, 1898
Philippine Strategy An incomparable strategic situation now exists. Manila is key to the Far East, being the geometric center from which all places radiate where
Wednesday, May 18, 1898
May 18, 1898
The Americans Relate the Battle of Cavite to the English When the MacCulloch, carrying dispatches from Commodore Dewey, anchored in the bay of Hongkong, it
Wednesday, May 18, 1898
May 18, 1898
Evening: The Navy and the Colonies The succulent fruits, foliage more beautiful than a Corinthian basket, palm trees as tall as human beings, all speak
Thursday, May 19, 1898
May 19, 1898
. . . Dewey Hongkong newspapers give a full account of Dewey’s glory being more widespread in New York than on his own battlefront. He
Friday, May 20, 1898
May 20, 1898
Aguinaldo There are repeated rumors that Aguinaldo, the leader of the uprising, arrived yesterday from Hongkong. He must have arrived on the MacCulloch. It is
Saturday, May 21, 1898
May 21, 1898
England and the United States A wonderful piece of news. When the Americans become the masters of Manila, they will sell the Philippines to the
Sunday, May 22, 1898
May 22, 1898
The Old Fogies Montojo is getting on in years, like the other Spanish generals and colonels who may be brave but lack vitality. Old age,
Monday morning, May 23, 1898
May 23, 1898
The English gunboat, Swift, has arrived in Hongkong. An important dispatch: the Americans are sending not 5,000 but 15,000 men. The first convoy should arrive in
Monday, May 23, 1898
May 23, 1898
A considerable number of dispatches from America and Hongkong addressed to Admiral Dewey outrageously exalt him over and above Farragut and Nelson. It seems that
Monday evening, May 23, 1898
May 23, 1898
Anglo-Saxon Leadership The seas control the trading activities between the continents. The political and economic power of a nation cannot be separated. This is the
Tuesday, May 24, 1898
May 24, 1898
“A Convocation of Political Worms. . .” Alluding to the astonishing perseverance which Spain has often shown in the face of defeat and death, it
Wednesday, May 25, 1898
May 25, 1898
Noon. It is impossible to think in this infernal heat. The earth seems to shimmer, and even the skies and the sea are enveloped in