Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1898-05-03


Soon, and for This Europe Has
Been Preparing-No Probability
Of Europe Intervening Now-The
Disaster to Spain is Merely One
Of the Fortunes of War-Spain's
Inadequate Preparations Com
mented On.
Washington. May 2.-At the foreign
embassies and legations intense inter-
est is shown in the news of the de-
cisive victory of the American feet at
| Manila. 1t was stated by high Ginlo-
matte official to-day thai another such
victory would end the cause OF Spajn
and would force her to seek an armis-
tice and peace. The universal BELIEF
| in diplomatic quarters is that this
stroke in the Philippines will be fol-
lowed Immediately by aggressive ac-
ton in Cuba. Aside from the imme-
diate effects of the Manila engagement
| foreign representatives here say it is
likely to precipitate an internal con-
fusion in Spain. This has been appre-
hended by the European powers and
has been the chief cause Of their ac-
tivity, as it threatens to bring the war
to the continent of Europe.
Official advices of the Manila fight
had not been received at any OF the
establishments representing the great
powers of Europe up to noon to-day.
From the fact reported from Madrid
| that Commodore Dewey had opened
communication with the British consul
at Manila, it is expected that the inst
reports, other than those of a Spanish
| character, Will come from British
sources.
1t is understood that the British
consul at Manila, Mr.. Rawson-W Walker,
has assumed charge Of American in
terests in the Philippines, and under
such circumstances he is at present
charged with the important duty Of
protecting
THE LIVES OF THE AMERICANS
on shore at Manila and elsewhere. 1t
is believed that Commodore Dewey
will give his first attention TO looking
after these Americans ashore. The
cable from Manila, it is learned, IS a
British and not Spanish cable, and it
is believed that British operators have
charge of the cable station, While they
would be subject to Spanish censor
ship, yet there is no doubt this British
ownership would insure a more prompt
and unprecedented transmission of Off
cial and unofficial reports than If 1t
were not a British cable. The cable
goes to Hong Kong, and thence by way
of Alden and the Red Sea to Continen-
tai Europe and London.
Leading diplomats say no step to-
ward European intervention is likely
to be fastened by this disaster of Spain
It is looked upon simply as war re-
verse. which cannot be turned into po-
litical channels by Spanish appeals to
the great powers. This is the view
alike in British, French and German
quarters 1t was rather expected from
| the British, but it is none the less APP
parent among French and German Of
| ficials, who regard the time for medl-
alton or intervention as past.
! One of the members of the dplo-
| matte corps said grave fears were
entertained of the effect of the re
verse at Madrid. The government
| there is
| THREATENED ON TWO SIDES,
! one the Carlists, the other the RepuD-
leans Humiliation over the defeac
naturally will find expression against
| the Sagasta regime and the throne IT.
self Whether the authorities Will %
able to resist popular indignation ~
much doubted by these conversanr
! with affairs at Madrid To-day caDie
| advices that martial law may be pro-
| claimed bore out the view OF the Dip
| lomats as to the gravity OF ahalls.
| One of the naval aides attendant
! to an embassy here said the baltle aC
i Manila disclosed the inadequate prep
| aration made by Spain ana gays
| good reasons for popular resentment
| at Madrid He said il was now maze
| plain that the quiet ana coilStdht
PREPARATIONS carried on by the uhl'eu
| States were for a good purpose ana
| had worked vital results tie polnten
out that within eight days OF tae -
suance of the declaration OF war m
! American fleet had sailed i00 mics
! and had struck
| A DECISIVE BLOW
| This at the outset of campaign was
of double importance, as it carried en-
| thusiasm to the victors and brought
| confusion and Generalization 70 the
ranks of the Spanish forces IN an
quarters. The naval attache expressed
! surprise that the Spanish defense az
Manila had divided into two parts.
| first the engagement OF the SHIPS ana
second. the defense of the city IN
I'll the city was taken he said the real
| results Of the operations could not pc
determined. as Commodore Deweyg
feet had not yet passed the dangf
line, in that it's coal was reduced al
its ammunition depleted by the e'AI
gagement of yesterday. He SAID aiso
That the weakness of Spain in the
Philippines doubtless was an indica-
tion of the same weakness in Cuba
and Porto Rico. The Spanish author
tiles. he pointed out, had failed 20
send abundance of coal TO Cuba, For
to Rico and elsewhere, and now their