Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1898-05-03
IT IS A BRITISH CABLE.
News May Come Over 1t by Way OF
the Foreign Office In
London.

Washington, May 2-It is understood that
the British consul at Manila, Mr.. Rawson
Walker. has assumed charge of American
| interests in tho Philippines, and, under
such circumstances. he is at present charg-
ed 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 atten-
ton to looking after these Americans
ashore.
The cable from Manila, it is learned. is
a British and not a Spanish cable, and it
is believed that British operators have
charge of the cable station. While they
there is no doubt that the British owner
ship would ensure a more prompt and un-
prejudiced transmission of official and un-
official reports than if it were not a Brit
ish cable. The cables goes to Hong Kong
and thence, by way of Alden and the Red
sea. to Continental Europe and London.
1t is realized by the many officials that
modore Dewey in the usual course for at
| least two days more. There is, however,
a possibility, which is magnified by ex-
pectant minds here into probability. that
some information. at least more reliable
and freer from color than that which
comes from Madrid. may be Forthcoming
through the British foreign office. While
the Spanish government, in the case of an
emergency. might take absolute possession
of the cable at Manila, It is not customary
to deny access to 1t to the diplomatic and
consular officials of neutral governments.
The cabled report that the British consul
general at Manila had u conference, after
the conflict. with Commodore Dewey, indi-
Gates clearly that he is at least in pos
session of the American story of the naval
quainted with the extent of the loss suf-
fered by the American ships. It is not
doubted that, if the opportunity offers,
the consular officer will communicate
promptly the facts to his home govern
ment, and 1t is just possible that he had
beeH Teluestcu ny SOINIHOuOTe dewey to
see to it that a brief and fair statement
of the facts is transmitted to the United
States government.
The conviction is growing in the state
and navy department that the accounts
| which have been received so far of the
engagements greatly minimize the achieve
ments of the American feet. A careful
| reading of the dispatches. even those from
Spanish sources, seems to warrant an as
sumption that Commodore Dewey has sue
ceeded completely in his undertaking, AMI
has accomplished everything that was ex-
| pected Of him and included in his orders.
1t is noticed that in one sentence the
| report speaks of the commodore's landing
his wounded. This is regarded as a very
significant statement 1t is not supposed
| for an instant that the admiral abandoned
| his wounded to the enemy. and the only
| sane inference that can be drawn is that
he placed them in proper shelter on shore.
| under guard from the United States fleet.
| and is prepared to protect the landing
place with the guns of the feet.
Thus it appears that Commodore Dewey
| has crushed the Spanish fleet, the prime
object OF his expedition, and has relieved
American commerce in the Pacific from
| the dread Of capture. while, In addition. he
! has placed his teet on Spanish soil and