Tamhill County Reporter
LATER
NEWS.
A London dispatch says England has
advised Spain to yield, saying that re­
sistance of the American demands at
Manila is worse than useless.
Deficiency estimates of $10,000,000
for the purchase of supplies for the
Asiatic squadron have been prepared
for submission to congress.
Report that the Spanish fleet was
completely destroyed is confirmed in a
dispatch received by the New York
Interesting Collection of Items From Herald direct from Manila.
HII i
Spanish Government Is
Rent With Strife.
Many Place* Culled From the Free*
Report* of the Current Week.
Secretary Long says Commodore
Dewey’s gallantry will be recognized, GARRISON READY FOR DUTY
The senate lias adopted the confer­ and that he will be made acting ad­
ence report on the naval appropriation miral and later nominated rear-admiral.
Celebration of Murat's Victims Observed
bill.
Fearing an attack upon the seaports
— The Manila Disaster Uppermost in
The harbor defense plans of San of the North Atlantic coast by Spanish
the Public Mind—Formation of a
Francisco are said to be in the hands of men-of-war now on their way to West­
National Ministry Possibles
the Spanish.
ern waters, Secretary Alger has taken
A New York Journal dispatch says steps to further improve the seacoust
London, May 4.—The Madrid corre­
the government is preparing to seize defenses.
spondent of the Standard, telegraphing
several small islands in the South At­
William Astor Chanter, a New York at midnight, says:
lantic as a bases of supplies.
millionaire, is to fight for the freedom
Senor Aguilera, the civil governor of
Blanco, in his report of the Matanzas of C uba. He will head an exjiedition
Madrid, has just posted on the walls of
bombardment says the French and of wealthy New Yorkers and join the
English consuls have entered protests army of General Gomez, paying the ex- the home office the customary procla­
mation, intimating that the civil
on the ground that no previous notice [»enses of the exj>edition himself.
was given.
authorities consider that the circum­
A dispatch has been received in
It is announced that extraordinary Washington from New York saying stances justify the handing over to the
naval and military activity ¡ b displayed that a Wall street news agenoy pub­ military authorities the mission of
throughout France. All the ships re­ lishes under date of Hong Kong a dis­ keeping order.
Lieutenant-General
cently mobilized are kept in fighting patch declaring that Manila has fallen,
Caban, captain-general of Madrid, has
trim. The reserves expect to be called and that the Stars and Stripes float
assumed charge, and the first military
out.
over the Philippines.
patrols have just appeared in the Puerto
It was officially announced at Madrid
The government will take steps at de Sol. The measure is taken in conse­
that the fortifications of Matanzas have once to supply Dewey’s fleet with pro­
not suffered, in spite of 300 shells fired visions and other supplies, including quence of the attitude of certain po­
by the American fleet, ami that not one ammunition and coal, and to this end litical parties. The whole garrison is
man was killed or wounded thereby. will dispatch at the earliest possible ready in barracks.
The stories of the bombardment received moment a sufficient number of ships to
At 2 A. M. a mob tried to break into
from the United States are received supply amply all possible needs of the
the Apollo theater to hold a manifesta­
with shouts of derision.
Asiatic squadron.
tion. The police prevented their do­
Spanish mail has been ordered confis­
The British ambassador at Washing­ ing so, but many windows were broken
cated by the postoffice department. In ton, Sir Julian Pauncefote, is to be re­ before they dipersed.
the first batch received at the dead let­ called. He will be succeeiled by Sir
Tribute to Murat's Victims.
ter office, the discovery of numerous Thomas H. Sanderson, permanent un­
Madrid, May 4.—The celebrations in
contraband letters,some of which ure of der-secretary of state for the foreign
igreat importance to tho naval and mil- affairs and one of the most prominent honor of the Spanish officers, Ruiz,
Daolz and Volardez, the victims of
taiy authorities, has demonstrated that officials in the British service.
Murat’s massacre, have proceeded to­
the order is not only justified, but a
It is stated in Madrid by those re- day as usual, in spite of the bad news
wise precaution.
Sfionelbte for naval movements that it
A proclamation has been issued by has been determined to avoid the iso­ from the Philippines. A fine proces­
the autonomist government at Havana. lated combats on equal terms with a sion was headed by the civic guards, 12
Spanish adherents in Cuba are urged to superior enemy, and that they now in­ abreast, followed by the orphans, the
resist the American invasion.
The tend to throw the whole united naval Madrid charities, veterans, municipal
war is classed as an unholy one. The strength of Spain into one supreme functionaries and officials and others.
American campaign is denounced as effort to crush the American squadron Several regiments of troops brought up
the rear. The streets were packed, but
being one of aggression and the United in Cuban waters.
there was no outward display of sorrow.
States government is accused of sailing
In political circles, however, im­
The cabinet has decided to await the
under palpaby false colors.
report of Commodore Dewey and then portant developments are hourly ex­
News has reached San Francisco of a send him the number of troops neces­ pected.
Senor Romero y Robledo
terrible explosion of powder that was sary to enforce control of the Philip­ (leader of the Weylerite party) will in­
being carried by pack train to Colonel pines. For these purposes the Pacific terpellate the government in congress,
Dan Burns’ Candelaria mine in Mexico.
slope troopships will be used, and it is tomorrow, on the events at Manila, anil
The pack train was unusually large. It expected that at least 5,000 will be en the Carlists and republicans will par­
consisted of over 110 mules and the route within 10 daya.
There does not ticipate in the debate, which is expect­
attendants numbered some 40 Mexicans. seem to be any «loubt as to the govern­ ed to have important results.
It is
A part of the freight consisted of am­ ment’s purpose to hold the islands asserted that the burning of the Reina
munition, caps and boxes of powder. It ¡«ending a final settlement with Spain, Cristina was due to American petro­
is said that 218 boxes of powder and
when they will be use«! as collateral to leum bombs, and that a number of
20,000 caps exploded with such force
secure payment to the United States of thatched huts belonging to natives were
that 15 men and 60 mules were killed. a war indemnity.
set on fire in the same way.
Lead and sugar are advancing rapidly
The procession passed off amid glo­
The Spanish admiral of the Philip­
in London owing to the war.
rious
sunshine, but there were no patri­
pines acknowledges that his fleet has
otic speeches. Tho minds of the people
Secretary Alger has submitted esti­ been completely demolished.
were too full of the disaster to think
mates of $34,000,000 to cover addition­
It is claimed at Madrid that no Span­ of anything but avenging the surprise
al army expenses to July 1. This will
ish warships surrendered, and that a
Senor Aguilera, the
be included in the general deficiency majority of them perished. The Span­ at Manila bay.
civil governor at Madrid, did not take
bill.
ish loss is estimated at 400 men killed. part in the piocession. All his energies
The committee on military affairs
A Hong Kong dispatch says the bom­ were required to watch closely popular
has favorably reported the administra­
bardment of Manila has begun. The feeling, which is certain to explode and
tion bill suspending important laws
inhabitants are fleeing to the country. to require a propitiatory scapegoat.
governing the quartermaster’s depart­
After the bullfight tonight, very sen­
The operators in the cable station in
ment in the army.
the midst of the forts have fled to save sational news may be expected.
The emergency war measure was their lives.
Cable communication is
Madrid, May 4.—The mob tonight
passed in the house on the 28th by interrupted.
tried to break in the Apollo theater
unanimous consent.
It repeals the
A special to the Chicago Daily News
limitations upon the purchase of quar­ from Washington says: The president and hold a demonstration. The police
termaster’s supplies during tlie existing and cabinet have received information prevented the attempt from being suc­
cessful, but the crowd broke all the
war with Spain.
that tho Spanish governor-general of windows before they were dispersed.
Mi nister Clayton communicated to the Philippines has sent a flag of truce Immediately on the declaration of mar­
This act is tial law, large number of police and
the foreign department of the govern­ to Commodore Dewey.
ment at Mexico the resolution of the interpreted to mean the capitulation of civil guards occupied the principal
American congress declaring war with the Spanish forces.
streets. The Puerto del Sol is held by
Spain.
Minister Mariscal, of the for­
A terrible storm passed over South a squadron of the Princess hussars,
eign department, replied, assuring the Dakota and Iowa. South Dakota re­ while hussars dismounted, are in the
American minister on the authority of ports a death list of 18, and a property Pontejas square, near the telegraph
President Diaz, that Mexico will main­ loss of $100,000. In Northwest Iowa, office. The Princess hussars are a fine
tain the strictest neutrality.
the towns of Pringhar, Hartley and eight, their white uniforms gleaming in
Oriental advices received by steadier Curlew were badly wrecked, Hartley a bright moonlight, as they sit on
in Vancouver, B. C., tell of a shocking being almost completely destroyed. horseback immovable, in close order,
massacre which occurred near Taipoh, Several people in that section are re­ in the court of the Puerto del Sol, white
China, at the house of one Yang Kin- ported killed. The town of Macedonia, the patrol of civil guards are mechan­
■hang.
A party of over 20 robbers near Council Bluffs, is badly wrecked, ically moving through the square,
entered the house and murdered Yang, but no loss of life is reported there.
which le nearly deserted.
his wife, his mother and children and
Governor Lord, of Oregon, has desig­
Protectorate Wanted.
servants, 15 persons in all, who resist­ nat'd the following as field "officers of
New York, May 4.—According to a
ed them in their attempt to loot the the regiment of volunteers raised in re­
World cablegram from Singapore, the
house ami attack the daughters. When sponse to the presidential call for
policy of General Aguinaldo, a leader
the raiders had butchered all the in­ troops: Commander—Colonel O. Sum­
of the Philippines insurgents, after the
mates they set the house on tire.
mers, of Portland; lieutenant-colonel— islands have been captured, embraces
The large packing-houses of the At­ George O. Yoran, of Eugene; senior the independence of the islands, exter­
lantic Powder Company, near Dover, major—C. U. Gantenbein, of Port­ nal affaire to be controlled under Amer­
N. J., containing high explosives for land; second major—P. G. Eastwick, ican an«i European advisers.
Tem­
the United States government were of Portland; third major—Percy Willis, porarily, at least, the insurgents desire
blown up and two men are known to of Salem; chaplain—W. 8. Gilbert, of an American protectorate on the same
have been killed. Several are missing Eugene.
lines as that proposed for Cuba.
The
and a number were injured.
The ex­
Details of the battle of Manila have scheme includes free trade to the world,
plosion is believed to have been the been reoeived at the British colonial safeguards against an influx of Chinese
work of Spanish spies.
Suspicious office. '1 hey came in two cable messages. aliens, the complete reformation of the
characters had been seen around the The first dispatch announced that the oorrupt judiciary, free press and pub'ic
buildings for several «lays.
American fleet entered Manila harbor utterance, religious toleration, removal
The large Spanish steamer Guido, at daybreak, stationing itself opposite of restrictions on enterprise, building
The forts opened fire on the of railways, and general encouragement
bound from Corunna for Havana with the city.
a largo cargo of provisions ami money American ships, whereupon they shifted of investment in the country.
The Spaniards have committed a
for the Spanish troops, was captured by their position to Cavite, Manila bay.
the United States monitor Terror. The engaging in a fierce tight against both massacre on the «lefenseless population
The of Ceuba city, which was almost de­
capture took place 10 miles off Car­ the forts and the Spanish fleet.
denas, after a desperate chase, daring engagement hero lasted two hours, ami stroyed.
Dewey'« Instruction«.
which the monitor Terror ami the gun­ reajlted in the annihilation of the
Washington, May 4.—Commolore
boat Machias flrrsl several shots, almost Spanish fleet. This dispatch adds that
blowing the Spaniard’s pilot house into the American ships withdrew to their Dewey’s instructions permit him to
the water. One man in the pilot house magazine vessel in the center of the bombar«! Manila if necessary to take
One possession of the islands, but he will
was seriously injured.
It is estimated roa«ls tor the pur|«ose of coaling.
that with her cargo she is worth nearly American vessel, name not mentioned, not do so unless the city’s harlior troops
is said to have been disabled.
•500,000.
operate offensively against him.
Minor Newt Item«.
A newly discovered spot on the sun
visible now, is said to l>e 30,000 miles
in diameter.
The sale of salt is a government mo­
nopoly in China, which yields a yeatly
revenue of $11,000,000.
Jews have Ireconie farmers in Maine
in such numbers as to be recognise«! as
a factor in trailing.
The contributions to the James Rus­
sell Lowell memorial fund in Boston
now amount to 123,078.
At Roubaix, one of the socialist
•traagboMa of Fr.ince, th«« 11.000 pub­
lic school children receive free food and
clothing at the expense of the town.
The late Mrs. Julia W. James, of
Boston, left nearly all her estate, val­ I
ued at •542,069, to the Museum of Fine
Arts and the Institute of Technology.
Corea's first railway, 95 miles in (
length, is living constructed by Amer- !
ican contractors. It is to extend from
Chemnlpo, on the Yellow sea, to
Seoul, the capital.
Chicago, April 29.—The lines of the
Western Passenger Association met to­
day to consider the rates to be made for
the transportation of troops to the
front. No definite "action was taken.
as al) the mails in the association were
not represented, but they will be given
a chance to vote on the proposition.
The rate is to be two cents per mile for
transportation of troops of all sorts, no
matter whether they are state troops or
have been mustered into servioe of the
government.
NORTHPORT
IN
MAY
RUINS.
END
THE
WAR.
The Entire Bu.lne.s lll.trict Destroyed
by Fire.
The Probable Ellect of Dewey’* Victory
ut Manila.
Northport, Wash., May 4.—North­
port is in ruins. Of the entire business
district nothing remains but ashes.
More than 40 buildings went up in
smoke this morning, causing a loss of
about $100,000. Dozens of people are
homeless today, ami scores are penni­
less.
Of all the buildings on the flat,
but two are left standing—the Spokane
& Northern depot and Kendrick's store
Late last night, some careless smoker
threw the stub of a lighter! cigarette on
the carpet in a little tailor shop behind
Madden & Riley’s saloon on Fourth
avenue. Fire caught and smouldered.
At 4 o’clock this morning flames shot
up through the roof of the building.
Ten minutes later a little crowd of ex-
citeil men were struggling desperately
to check a roaring fire that licked up
dry buildings as if they were tinder
boxes. For three hours the fire raged.
Despairing of every other remedy, a
gang of men starteil blowing up build­
ings that connected the business district
with the rest of the town. Blast after
after blast threw them down in frag­
ments, mowing a wide path of ruin.
The flames swept up to the edge of the
ruins, licked up the first timbers, crept
part way across, then died down.
Northport—what was left of Northport
—was saved.
Washington, May 3.—Washington is
rejoicing tonight. Not since the «lark
days of a third of a century ago have
the people of thia city been bo pro­
foundly moved by war news as they
were this evening.
The first battle of the Hispano-
American war has been fought and vic­
tory lies with Admiral Deweey’s squad­
ron under the Stars anti Sbipee. That
was enough to set the people of Wash­
ington almost in a frenzy of enthu­
siastic rejoicing.
For days, they, in common with the
people throughout the country, have
been waiting news from the Philip-
pines, as everything pointed to a battle
at Manila that might be a decisive con­
flict of the war. When the news came,
indicating a great victory for the
American squadron, the enthusiasm of
the people was let loose, and the
streets of the citv have rung with,
cheers throughout the night.
The first news of the battle receive«!
in Washington came in a brief cable­
gram to the press from Madrid about 8
o’clock this evening. As the night
wore on, the cable continued to sing
the news of victory tor the squadron of
Admiral Dewey, and the interest giew
into tremendous excitement.
As bulletin after bulletin was posted
in front of the newspaper offices, each
successive one conveying information
more gratifying than its predecessors,
the crowds in the etreets became up-
roarious. Good, as well as bad news.
sprea«l rapidly, and by 10 o’clock, the
streets were crowded with people, all
discussing the one exciting topic of the-
hour. Hundreds gathered in front of
the bulletin boards, and evry scintilla
of news—ami it was all glorious—was
received with enthusiastic cheers.
While victory had been expeote«!,
the news of it, coming, as it diii come,
from Spanish sources, gave a vent to
the* patriotism of the ¡«eople, which
has been pent up for days. It was a
spontaneous outburst of patriotic feel­
ing that scarcely knew no bounds. Ad­
miral Dewey’s name was on every lip,
and his praises were sung in the re-
joicings of the people.
The absence of any statement of spe­
cific injury to the American vessels in
the Madrid advices was constured as
convincing indication that thej’ had
not suffered appreciable injury ami
this was especially pleasing to the
students of the news.
Not only was the preservation of the
American ships and men considered in
itself a happy outcome, but was com­
mented upon as indicating clearly that
Admiral Dewey and his aasociate offi­
cers and the men uniler their command
had discharged spendidly their several
duties in directing and executing the
fight.
In this connection it was noin ted out
as little less than marvelous that the
American squardon escaped without
Bevere injury, because, notwithstanding
the disparity in the naval forces, the«
Spanish fleet, assisted by the shore
batteries, should have been able to
effect severe damage before it was de-
strove«!. Its failure to do so was ex­
plicable only upon the hypothesis of
perfect and swift work by the American
squadron.
NEWS
OF
THE
VICTORY.
Great Enthu«ia«m on the Flying Squad*
ron Over Dewey’s Coup.
On Board the Flagship Brooklyn, off
Fort Monroe, May
4.—Before the
newspaper boy brought the special edi­
tions with news of the battle of Manila
on boar«! this morning, those who slept
until 8 o’clock were awakened by the
sharp reports of guns.
With the ex­
ception of the morning and evening
guns, always expected, any explosion
creates excitement now, and this was
the case today until it was learned that
the steamer Scorpion was firing a salute.
The salute was returned, and then came
the newspapers containing the press
dispatches of Dewey’s victory.
From
stoker to commodore, every man in the
8quardon knew of the victory within an
hour. Officers and men went at routine
work with enthusiasm. Knots of those
off duty discussed the meager details,
and nearly everybody said:
“I told
you so.”
Commodore Schley refused to dis­
cuss the matter, except to say, “It was
what was to be expected from Dewey.”
As the most definite news of Dewey's
success came there was great jubilation.
The Brooklyn was the first ship to carry
Commodore Dewey’s flag, and, these
messages were sent:
“To Dewey: The Brookly, which
first flew vour flag, glories in your vic­
tory.
OFFICERS AND CREW.”
“To Dewey: The flying squadron
eays to the Asiatic squadron: Bully,
boys! Congratulations. SCHLEY.”
It was with great difficulty that the
men could be restrained from outbursts
of enthusiasm when the bulletins were
posted forward, and Commodore Schley
Baid that if the official news was as
good as the press dispatches, he would
let the men yell themselves hoarse.
NO
TIME
LOST.
Senate's Quick Action on the War De*
flciency Bill.
Washington, May 4.—Several war
measures were passed by the senate to­
day, and notwitstanding their import*
anee, not one elicited the slightest de­
bate. Probably the most important
measure passed was the emergency war
deficit bill carrying $35.720,945. Not
more than 10 minutes were consumed
in passing it, that time being occupied
in reading the measure.
Hawley, chairman of the military
affaire committee, secure«! the passage
of a bill providing for the enlistment
of a volunteer brigade of engineers, and
of 10,000 men in the South, who are
immune to yellow fever, these enlist­
ments to be in addition to those pro­
vided for in the president’s call for
125,000 men. The men will enlist
“for the war.”
H ourc Proceeding*.
Washington, May 4.—The passage
of the emergency war bill was the fea­
ture of today’s action by the house.
The naval appropriation bill with the
senate amendment providing for the
payment of officers of the navy for the
use of their inventions by the govern­
ment stricken out, was reported from
the conference and passed. It now goes
to the presiilent.
Deport Partly Confirmed.
Washington, May 4. — When asked
if the army was preparing for an inva­
sion of Cuba at an early date, Secre­
tary of War Alger replied:
“We are preparing for immediate
action, ami we try to keep so prepared,
but plans made today may of necessity
have to be change«] tomorrow, and that
is why we are compelled to keep such
absolute silence.”
Hot Kn(M{ement Reported.
1
AMERICAN
LOSS WAS LIGHT
Three Spanl.h Cruiser* Destroyed—Only
New* Come. Through Madrid anil I*
Colored—American Ships Succeeded
In Landing Their Wounded.
|
Madrid, May 3. — Advices from
Manila say that the American sauad- j
ron, under Commodore Dewey, ap­ |
peared off the bay of Manila at 5
o’clock this morning and opened a
Btrong cannonade against the Spanish
squadron and forts protecting the har­
bor. The Spanish second-class cruiser
Don Juan de Austria, was severely
damaged and her commander was
killed. Another Spanish vessel was
burned. The American squadron re­ !
tired, having also sustained severe
damage.
A secoml naval engagement followed,
in which the American squadron again
suffered considerable loss and the
Spanish warships Mindanao and Ulloa l
were slightly damaged. During this
engagement the Cavite forts maintained
a steadier and stronger fire upon the
American squadron than in the first
engagement.
Admiral Bermejo, the minister of
marine, has expressed himself as highly
pleased with the heroism of the Spanish
marines, anil has telegraphed congratu­
lations to Admiral Montejo and the
valorous crews of the Spanish squadron
under fire of superior warships.
The Official Report.
The following is the text of the offi­ i
cial dispatch from the governor-general
of the Philippines to the minister of
war, General Correa, as to the engage­
ment off Manila:
i
“Last night, the batteries at the en­
trance to the forts announced the arrival
of the enemy, forcing a passage under
the obscurity of the night..
At day­
break the enemy took up positions,
opening with a strong fire against Fort
Cavite and Tardenal.
Our fleet en­ I
gaged the enemy in a brilliant combat,
protected by the Cavite and Manila
forts. They obliged the enemy, with
heavy loss, to maneuver repeatedly.
“At 9 o’clock the Americans took
refuge behind the foreign merchant
shipping on the east side of the bay.
Our fleet, considering the enemy’s
superiority, naturally suffered a severe
loss. The Reina Cristina is on fire, and
another ship, believed to be the Don
Juan de Austria, was blown up. There
j
was considerable loss of life. Captain |
Cadareze, commanding the Reina Cris­
tina, is among the killed. I cannot
now give further details. Tne spirit of
the army, navy and volunteers is ex­
cellent.”
When the United States fleet arrived
at Subic, at 4 o’clock yesterday after­
noon. Commodore Dewey sent scouting
vessels to examine these waters for the
enemy, and immediately saileil in the
direction of Manila.
Notwithstanding the severe damage
the Spanish ships suffered, naval offi­
cers here consider that the future oper­
ations by the American squadron will
be conducted under great difficulty,
owing to their having no base where
they could repair or coal, or obtain
fiesh supplies of ammunition.
Another account says the Mindanao
and Ulloa were severely damaged in
the second engagement.
Muttering« in Madrid.
The town is greatly excited by the
serious news from the Philippines, and I
there is an immense crowd gathering
in the Salle de Savilla.
The civil
guards on horseback were calle«! out to
preserve order, and all precautions have
been taken. There is much muttering,
but up to the present, nothing more
serious has occurred.
Late official telegrams say Admiral
Montejo has transferred his flag to the
cruiser Isle of Cuba, from the cruiser
Reina Cristina, which is completely
burned.
According to official tele­
grams, the Spanish cruiser Castilla
was also burned.
The other ships retired from the com­
bat, some being Bunk to avoid their
falling into the enemy’s hands.
The second engagement was appar­
ently begun by the Americans after
landing their wounded on the west side
of the bay.
A cabinet minister speaks of "serious
but honorable losses.”
London, May 4.—A dispatch from SPANIARDS' CRUSHING DEFEAT.
Hong Kong to the Daily Mail says:
Commo«lore Dewey’s fleet i* off Corre­ That 1« About AJI the Dispatches Make
Clear.
gidor island, hotly engaged with the
London, May 3.—While it is quite
forts there.
Electrical experiments
show that the cable has peen cut at or clear that the Spanish squadron has
suffere«! a crushing defeat, the dis­
near Manila.
patches do not leave clear the interest­
Last Tear suicides in the United ing question whether the American
States numbered 6,600.
squadron has suffered damage.
Colonel Grant Sworn In.
Probably, therefore, the Unite«!
New York, May 4.—Colonel Frei States squadron will be obliged to make
Grant has been sworn in at brigade for San Francisco, as the entrance to
headquarters, Br««oklyn, as commander Manila bay was heavily mined with
of the “Fighting Fourteenth” regi­ torpedoes.
ment, by Brigadier General James Mc-
Commodore Dewey displayed great
Leer.
pluck an«i daring in making for the
inner harbor.
According to private
Havana. May 4.—It is reporte,! at advices receive«! from Madrid, the Uni­
the ;>alace that an engagement between ted State* cruisers Olympia, Raleigh
the Spanish troops ami insurgents has and two other other vessels, the names
taken place at Puerto Principe, the in­ of which are not given, entered the har­
surgents losing 15, among them two bor. No dispatches give details as to
officers.
the vessels engaged on either side.
May End the War.
An opinion freely expressed tonight
by naval officers is that the very de­
cisive victory of Admiral Dewey’s fleet
will mean probably an early end of the
war without further naval battles of
importance.
The American fleet, it is
suggested, is now supreme in the waters
of Spain’s Pacific possession, and indi­
cations point strongly toward the wrest­
ing of the Philippines from their con­
trol. It is saiil that only bv acceding
to our demands in Cuba could this loss
possibly be averted.
Spain, it is
argued, is confronted with a situation
which promises naught save disaster in
case lie elects to force more fighting.
The superiority of the American fleet
has been demonstrated in the Pacific,
ami the same it is contended would be
inevitable in tlie Atlantic in case the
clash comes.
From whatever point of view it is
considered, the policy of more fighting
on the part of Spain promises nothing
but more Spanish misfortune.
Navy
officers think this view must prevail
with the Spanish government, and be­
lieve an enil of the war, on the basis
of Cuban independence, is to follow
soon, and that, too, without further
notable opportunity for the American
navy to prove its power and distin­
guish itself.
It is regarded by some as likely that
the decisive victory gained b.v Admiral
Dewey’s squadron may open the eyes
of Spain to the seriousness of the con­
flict upon which she has entered.
In official circles it is regarded as al­
most certain that results of a most
serious nature will confront the Sagasta
cabinet within Spain's own borders.
It is sai«l that the Spanish people have
been led to believe that their navy was
invincible, and the bitter disappoint­
ment over the first engagement of the
war is likely to precipitate internal dis­
sension, if not revolution.
Probable Remilt of the Victory.
Another result of Admiral Dewey’«
victory, it is thought, may be action on
the part of the powers of Europe to in­
duce Spain to abandon what is regard­
ed as a hopeless contest.
In the dispatches from Madrid, the
statement was made that AdmiraL
Dewey effected a landing on the weev
side of Manila bay for the men of bia
fleet who were wounded in the engage­
ments.
As soon as the junction of the
American and insurgent forces—the
one at sea and the other on land—is
effected, a demand ie likely to be made
for the surrender of the city, and, in
the event of refusal, a oombined attack
will be made on it.