Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1898-05-04
VICTORY COMPLETE.
Belief in Washington that the
Spanish Fleet Has Been
AnnihilateG.

Washington, D. c., May Joy
beamed on every cOuntenance at the navy
department this morning, and officials ex-
changed enthusiastic congratulations on
Commodore Dewey's victory, as they
entered the department to take up their
daily tasks.
Many of the officers were tired and
worn to the verge of nervous prostration
by the eXhausting labors Of the last few
weeks, but all fatigue was forgotten for
the moment as they stopped to talk of
the battle of Manila.
There was anxious inquiry from all
sources for some kind OF news of the de-
tails OF the tight. 1t was realized by the
ofhclalS that nothing can be expected di-
rectly from Commodore Dewey in the
usual course for at least two days more.
There is, however, a possibility, which
IS magnlhed by eXpectant minds here into
a probability, that some information, at
least more reliable and freer from color
than that which comes from Madrid, may
be forthcoming through the British for
eign Office.
More Details Expected.
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 it TO the
governments.
The cabled report that the British con-
sul-general at Manila had a conference
after the conflict with Commodore Dew
ey, indicates clearly that he is at least in
possession of the American story of the
naval battle, and probably has been made
acquainted with the extent of the loss suf-
fered by the American ships.
1t is not doubted that if the opportunity
offers, the consular office will cOmmuni-
cate promptly the facts to his home gov
eminent, and it is just possible that he has
been requested by Commodore Dewey to
see to it that a brief and fair statement Of
the facts are transmitted to the United
States government.
The conviction is growing in the state
and navy departments that the accounts
which have been received far of the
engagements, greatly minimize the
achievements Of the American fleet
A careful reading of the dispatches, even
those from Spanish sources, seem to war
rant an assumption that Commodore
Dewey has succeeded completely in his
undertaking and has accomplished every
thing that was expected Of him, and in
Guided in his orders.
A Signifcan Statement.
1t is noticed that in one sentence
the report speaks of the commodore's
landing his wounded. This is regard
1t is not supposed for an in
slant 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 a guard from the United States
fleet. and is prepared to protect the land
ing place with the guns of the feet.
Thus it appears that Commodore Dewey
has caused 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 feet on Spanish soil and
fields a position ashore which may be
developed into a base Of supplies for his
feet which thus will have found legiti-
mate home.
All were wild with JOY at the apparent
completeness of the victory. The dis
patches which spoke of the Americans
having landed to dispose of their wounded
caused some anxious moments. but on the
whole the reports of the enga gement Gre
ated the most profound joy at the white
house.
The President does not expect official
dispatches before Tuesday. unless
Dewey's forces land and seize the cable
station. He explained that the COM
mander of the fleet had the widest lati-
tude of action and that he would land or
not as circumstances seemed to dictate.