Marietta daily leader. (Marietta, Ohio) 1895-1906, 1898-05-03
THE WAR WILLEND
With Another Bold Stroke of Our
Naval Forces and Cuba
Will Be Free.
PROBABLY THE BEGINNING OF THE END
The Greatest Squadron of the Spanish
Government is Doomed to
Anihilation.
PROBABLY THE BEGINNING OF THE END
This Would Render Spain Entirely Helpless
and She Would BE Compelled to Sue
for Peace Under Such Terms
as We Would Grant.

WASHINGTON, May 2.-The admins
tration will not arrive at hasty de-
termination in respect to further mill
tary and naval operations in conse-
quence of the reports received from
the Philippines. They hope to receive
definite report from Adm. Dewey at
an early enough date to be of value in
connection with the operation of the
fleets under command of Adm. Samp-
son and Commodore Schley. The adj
vices received from hostile sources
show clearly enough that Adm. Dewey
has utterly destroyed the Spanish
power in the Pacific, but they
do not show what damage, if any
of consequence, was done our
own vessels. AS this is the first en-
gagement our modern war vessels have
had, it is of incalculable value to know
exactly how our vessels behaved and
what weaknesses they showed. In
formation on this line will enable the
commanders of our Atlantic squadrons
to correct whatever defects may exist
in the new system of naval action and
give them confidence in the good quail
tiles of the modern war ship not here
tofore tested. very strong belief
prevails that the Philippines victory
is the beginning of the end, and that
prompt action at this time will speed
lily bring Spain to terms.
The disturbed condition of affairs in
Madrid reported Monday morning
shows the desperate straits to which
the Spanish government has been
driven and it is conceived to be possi-
BILE that Spain will not be in a con-
dition to prosecut, the war much
further. Civil strife at home will make
it very difficult for her to maintain
herself, even for a short time, either
on the seas or in Cuba, The opinion
is entertained that if the Cape Verde
feet is not already directly on its way
to Porto Rico, it will never go there or
4 anywhere on this side of the Atlantic
The fact, however, that the
fleet on leaving the Cape Verde
islands steamed straight away toward:
Porto Rico for IL hours, renders il
probable that it continued on this
course and will show up at Porto Rico
II this is found to be the case, it is be
lieved that the war can be ended will
J one bold stroke within very shor
I time after it is positively known tha'
J the fleet is coming this way. No doubt
is felt that if the Spanish fleet will fac,
an engagement we will be able to ut
terly destroy it. There is still som,
uncertainty as to the effect the new
/. from the Philippines will have on tn,
contemplated invasion of Cuba.
Some authorities are strongly in ia
unr of roal-;pcr q fprp, II Jah hla
at once, at the same time attacking
!. the coast defenses from our fleet, with
r. out delaying to ascertain the move
!, ments of the Spanish fleet. Conserva
? tive opinion is that this would be
y hasty action and the probability i
that our plan, so far as the invasion O
to Cuba is concerned, will not be changed
but thas the force of 5000 men or po:
q Silly more will be landed at cor
venient point in Cuba within two O
ct three days to establish base of sur
y plies and put themselves in communi
cation with the Cubans as was befor
5; contemplated. By that time it will
to probably be known definitely wher
% the Spanish feetsis. If it is at or o
a it's way to Porto Rico, strong flee
- composed of the Flying squadron an
q some of Adm. SIMPSONS squadron wi
be sent against it to do battle withou
- =; any fear as to what the result will be
~ The destruction OF the Spanish flee
under these circumstances woul
r, render Spain entirely helpless and sh
d. would have to sue for peace unde
- such terms as we would grant. If o
e, the other hand, it is found that th
Cape Verde feet has turned back
the Canaries, it is probable that ii
complete invasion of Cuba will |
le hastened and the capture of Havan
II and Matanzas be undertaken by I'll
k cooperation of land and naval fore,
50 by the speediest process possible
IA There will be no apprehension if IL
Spanish fleet has turned back that
r will at any me ma an aggres,i,
-l1 move.