The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-07-06
CERvERA's SUICIDAL MOVE.
Comments of London Press on De-
struction of Spanish Fleet.

LONDON, july 5.-Ail the papers Io-udy
comment on the sudden and dramatic trans
formation resulting from Admiral Ger
vera's mysterious and suicidal move which
various theories are advanced to explain.
All eulogize the bravery displayed on both
sides and strongly counsel Spain to accept
the inevitable and sue for peace, which
would entail no dishonor.
The Daily Graphic says: ''If Senior Sa
gasta elects to risk further disasters for
fear of the frothy jingoes IN Madrid he
will incur a terrible responsibility. The
Spanish flag has been horne with undying
glory in the face Cf tremendous odds and
the punctilios of honor nave been gener-
ously satisfied"
The Times remarks editorially: Admiral
SIMPSONS brilliant exploit was as COM
plete as Admiral Dewey's was. Nothing hut
the conviction that his plight within the
harbor was hopeless could have justified
Admiral Cervera's attempt to leave. Had
he been able to judge correctly of what
was passing in General Skaters mind
doubtless he would have remained. The elf
ficulties of navigation probably caused him
to make a bold effort by daylight 1t Is not
easy at this moment to foreSee the wide
consequences OF the unchallenged supremacy
of the American feet in Cuban waters.
Overpowered, after an heroic defense,
Spain's only course is-her friends even in
the French press urge her-to seek peace,
which even.if onerotis, canhetobe dishonor-
able" etet Ftt
The Daily Mail in an editorial under the
caption 'As in 1866 says: wherever the
English language is spoken there was jub
ilation yesterday. admiral Cervera's defeat
by the American navy has nobly redeemed
the latter's recent apparent inaction. Adj
miral Simpsons name stands with Admiral
Deweys. With Sampson rests the glory of
this Fourth of July. If the war had shown
nothing else it would have proved the
amazing efficiency of the American navy
The Daily News tenders similar advice.
It says: The Spaniards can fight and die.
So can the Americans. Anlba sSador Hay, in
his glowing and ELOQUENT speech of yester-
day gloried in this Thought, but to their
equal courage Americans add in this I'M
equal combat with Spain not only vastly
superior material resources, but a devisng
mind and skilled organization without
which bravery is nothing but means of
providing stuff for the shambles.
The Daily Telegraph comments on the
way in which the American commanders
at Santiago and probably at Manila also
have fulfilled their prediitGEtions for the
Fourth of July. 1t says: THE Americans
rushed San Juan in manner displaying
the immense virility of American manhood.
Unflinching personal bravery on the part
of both officers and men We're in the edu-
Gated Judgment of our special correspond
ent, the characteristics of the desperate
fight of Friday and Saturday. The pros
Spain have vanished and the significant
determination of Englishmen and Ameri-
cans on Independence day in the United
States and London may we'll give cause
to those continental statesmen who are
credited with a design to dictate to Amer
lea the terms of peace. Spain, if her states
men have any fragments of political wis
dom left, will make terms with her adver-
sary quickly. Delay is dangerous on many
grounds
The Standard suggests that the war Cab
n a. n inc on fhn int e
Skaters dispatch saying it was impossible
to take Santiago till he had been reinforced
The Daily Chronicle comments on the
blood brotherhood of England and Amer
lea on the glorious Fourth of July, which
is an Important outcome of grim war"
The Morning Post advises Spain to treat
directly with her foe, but expresses a fear
that even this course will hardly save her
from the grasping propensities of some of
her European neighbors.
The Washington correspondent of the
Daily Mail reports an interview with dis
unguished American officer who is repre-
sented as dilating upon the immense SUI
periority of American war ships over Brit
iSh. especially in armor and armament.
This officer is said to have declared that the
United States battle. ship Alabama could
blow the British battle ship Majestic out of
the water and to have predicted that in the
next century America will be building war
The United States is able to build much
cheaper than England or Germany.
The Daily Mail commenting editorially
upon this startling statement, says: We
have verified the data and are compelled to
acknowledge the correctness of the state
ment. We know also that there is a dis
tinct uneasiness in the higher ranks of the
British navy at the under-armament of our
ships.
The Times editorially warmly defends
Major General Shafter against "American
armchair critics at a comfortable distance
1t says: Doubtless he would have used
more artillery if it had been sent to him.
in h1trr
there seems to have been people in WASH
ington rather in a hurry to supersede him
When a man has reason to think that re-
Inducements mean suppression he perhaps
finds 1t difficult to resist the temptation to
do something striking before the reinforce
ments arrive. The American sense of hui
NOR will be tickled by the remarkable
change of tone in the continental press
which has promptly followed their great
success at Santiago. Some of their sever
est critics are now fastening TO express
sympathy with American aims ar I to say
severe things about the Spaniards, who
have $50 gravely disappointed Them