The San Juan islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1898-1914, 1898-05-12
MAY END THE WAR.
The Probable Effect Of Dewey's Victory
at Manila.

| udye VI tuiiu Va q SOAsuAy ~ 40 "
the people of this city been SO pro-
foundly moved by war news as they
were this evening.
The first battle of the Hispan0-
American war has been fought and vic
tory lies with Admiral Deweey's squad
ron under the Stars and Stripes. 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 battle
at Manila that might be decisive con-
fiict of the war. When the news came,
indicating great victory for the
American squadron, the enthusiasm of
the people was let loose, and the
streets of the city have rung with
cheers throughout the night.
The first news of the battle received
in Washington came in brief cable
gram to the press from Madrid about s
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 grew
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 streets became up
roarious. Good, as we'll as bad news.
spread 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 newsstand it was all glorious-was
received with enthusiastic cheers.
While victory had been expected,
the news of it, coming, as it did come,
from Spanish sources, gave vent to
the: patriotism of the people. which
has been pent up for days. 1t was
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-
cifc injury to the American vessels in
the Madrid advices was construed as
convincing indication that they had
not suffered appreciable injury and
this was especially pleasing to the
students of the news.
Not only was the preservation of the
American ships and men considered in
itself happy outcome, but was COM
mented upon as indicating clearly that
Admiral Dewey and his associate Off
GERS and the men under their command
had discharged spendidly their several
duties in directing and executing the
fight.
In this connection it was pointed out
as little less than marvellous that the
American squadron escaped without
severe injury, because, notwithstanding
the disparity in the naval forces, the
Spanish feet, assisted by the shore
batteries, should have been able to
effect severe damage before it was de-
stroyed. Its failure to do SO was e,
plicable only upon the hypothesis
perfect and swift work by the American
squadron.
May End tho War.
An opinion freely expressed tonight
by naval officers is that the very de-
cisive victory of Admiral Dewey's feet
will mean probably an early end of the
war without further naval battles of
importance. The American feet, 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-
troll. 1t is said 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 he elects to force more fighting.
The superiority of the American feet
has been demonstrated in the Pacific,
and the same it is contended would be
inevitable in the 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 end 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.
1t is regarded by some as likely that
the decisive victory gained by 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.
1t ia said that the Spanish people have
been led to believe that their navy was
invinoible, and the bitter disappoint-
ment over the first engagement of the
war is likely to precipitate internal dis
sension, If not revolution.
Probable Result Of the victory.
Another result of Admiral Dewey's
victory, 1t is thought, may be action on
the part of the powers of Europe to in
duce Spain to abandon what is regard
ed as hopeless contest.
In the dispatches from Madrid, the
statement was made that Admiral
Dewey effected landing on the west
side of Manila bay for the men of his
feet who we're wounded in the engage
ments.