The Hickman courier. [volume] (Hickman, Ky.) 1859-current, 1898-05-06

oycrw lining was strengthened by
reason Of the news coming FIRST almost
wholly from Madrid. aud they were
quickly unresorved in expressing their
qualification upon the signal triumph
Of the American forces
At the Army and Navy club large
company was gathered and read and
commented upon the story OF the en-
gagv mcnts as IL was presented in the
bulletins at the club. Down town at
their homes and wherever seen, the Of
tccrs were free In giving vent % the
pleasure they felt at the news and de-
claring the confidence which they had
entertained throughout that the Amer
lean ships, their officers aud men would
demonstrate their superiority over the
Spanish fleet In Philippine waters
Of speeire me Injury 10 the Amefiesa ses.
sells, la the Madrid advices, was con.
s,rued as convincing indication that
they had not suffered appreciable in
jury, and this was especially plea. ing
To the naval students Of the news. Not
only was the preservation of the
American ships and men considered in
itself happy outcome, but IL was
commented upon As indicating clearly
that Adm. Dewey aud his associate of.
iiccrs and the men under their com.
mand had discharged splendidly their
several duties In directing and exc
cutting the fight In this connection
IL 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 10 iuflict severe damage To
its foe before itself being destroyed,
Its failure TO do so was applicable only
upon the hypothesis OF perfect and
swift work by the Americans An
opinion freely expressed Sunday night
by naval officers is that the very de-
cisiyc victory Of Adm. Dcwey's iieet
will mean probably an early end to
the war. without further naval battles
OF importance The American feet IL is
suggested, is now supreme In the wat
ers of SPANS Pacific possession and in
dications were strongly towards the
slipping OF the Philippines from her
quickly yielding to our demands in
Cuba could this loss possibly bo avert
cd. Spain, Il was argued, was con-
fruntcd with situation which prom
iscd naught save disaster in case She
elected tn force more fighting. The
superiority of a superior fleet has been
demons rated in the Pacific, and the
same, il Is contcndcd, would be newt
able IN the Atlantic In case the clash
comes From whatever point OF
view considered, the policy of more
fighting upon the part of Spain,
promises nothing but more Spanish
misfortune Navy officers think this
view must prevail with the Spanish
government and believe any end of the
war, upon the basis of Cuban indie
pendencc Is TO follow soon and that toe
without further notable opportunity
for the American navy to prove its
power and distinguish itself.
Judge McComas, senator-elect from
Maryland, after expressing his JOY
over the result of the conflict struck 9
key note of the expected result of ths
cannonading at Manila sunday, wher
be said that it was likely to have 4
tremendous effect, not only in Spain
but throughout Europe, lie expressed
| the belief that ii would turn the tide
of Europen sentiment toward ia,
| United States,
The idea advanced by Judge Nc
| Comas was expressed by others sun
day night II is regarded by some n
| lil.alv thnt thp t..iSiya yiatnrN rain r
| by Adm. Dcwey's squadron may oper
the eyes of Spain to the seriousness o
the conflict upon which she has en-
| tered. In official circles it is regarded
as almost certain that trouble of {
most critical kind win confront
| the Sagasta government within Spain''
own borders, 1t is pointed out thai
| the Spanish people have been led tc
| believe that their navy was invincible
and the bitter disappointment thai
will ensue over the result of the frs
engagement OF the war Is likely t,
precipitatc internal dissentions, II no
n revolution,
| Another result of Adm. Dewey,
victory it is thought may be action Oh
the part OF the powers of Europe I,
induce Spain To abandon what is re
garded as hopeless contest for her
Representations may be made 20 SPAR
that she would better relin
guish her hold upon Cub
than To risk losing all he
West Indian possessions and the Phil
iprines ~ well. 1t is believed to b,
not unlikely that the represen tn ti0n