Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1898-05-05

stances 1t is apparent that the Ameri-
can fleet could have received but slight
damage.
The moral influence OF the first great
victory is incalculable, and though 1t Is
practically certGSn that Spain will not
yield till she has tried conclusions in
the Atlantic, and also wheye she hopes
for better luck with her really first class
fighting squadron, II is believed that
similar victory in Cuban waters would
produce signs Of revolution in Spain,
compelling an endeavor to come to
terms.
The Times says: "The measures ad-
vised by the United States naval strate-
gic board seem well conceived to meet
any possible contingency"
The Daily Mail. in an editorial this
morning on the engagement at Manila,
says:
ry, but annihilation.' and 1t proved Com
modore Dewey worthy disciple of the
heroic Farragut. 1t is characteristic Of
the American race to be generous to the
weak, and as the president is averse to
useless bloodshed he will doubtless meet
Spatn, whose honor is now saved, in
generous spirit"
The Daily Chronicle says: 1.-THE Phil
ippines, no less than Cuba should be
thrown open TO the light of tolerance
and civilization. IL will be time to dis
cuss the proposals of the many claim
ants to do the work when the United
States has been heard from on the sub
ject"
The Standard says: "Whateyer pre-
ponderance Of strength Commodore
Dewey enjoyed. he could not have ac-
complished the work without that mix
ture of dash and tactical resource which
constitutes military genius. For the
vanqushed we can have only feeling
of consideration. They evinced quail
ties that deserved success. Spain's hest
course is to submit to the inevitable and
to purchase back the Philippines by
formally renouncing her title to exer-
else rule in the Antilles"
The Morning Post says: "The United
States must decide quickly about the
Philippines. If they leave half done
the task they have begun, the conse-
quenoes may he most serious. If they
are not prepared to govern the islands
| themselves, they must decide their fate
SO as to prevent them falling into an
| archy."
The Daily News says: "a defeat so
crushing and disastrous may well make
| Spanish statesmen ask themselves
| whether II is worth while to risk fur
| ther misfortune without hope of sat
| isfactory result. If only for the sake of
| the queen regent and her son the gov
ernment should agree with the adveIs sa-
ry quickly"
| The Madrid correspondent of The
| Times, describing the engagement al
| Manila, says:
"The Olympia, the Boston. the Ra-
leigh, the Concord. the Petrol and the
| Monocacy entered the bay under cover
| of darkness by the smaller and safer
/ Bocachica channel. The forts on Cor
| regidor island gave the alarm by firing
| on the intruders. but they seem to have
inflicted no serious damage. The Amer
| ican squadron moved up the bay and
| at o'clock In the morning appeared
before Cavite. Here, lying under thr
4 shelter of the forts, was the Spanish
squadron.
admiral Montoio a few days before
| went to subic hay to look for the enc
my, but, learning that they were vast
ly superior in force, had prudently re
turned and placed his ships under thu
protection of the forts. This was hi.
only chance of meeting the enemy OF
something like equal terms, and 1t die
not suffice.
"Soon the Americans opened fire. Tht
Spaniards replied vigorously. and tn,
combat continued without interruption
for four hours, during which the DoI
Antonio de ITlloa was sunk, the Gas
tila and the Mindanao were set on fire
and the Reina Maria Cristina and tn,
Don Juan de Austria We're seriousl.
I laK TraI 4,
craft We're scuttled by their crews t,
escape capture. Others took refuge Ii
small neighboring creek emptying in
to Baker bay, where presumably tn
American ships were unable to follow
them. But not one surrendered"