The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-07-05
Crowd Remembers His Attitude
Toward HObSOn.
SWARM OF BUSY SCRIBES.
Mad Rush to Get the Glad News
on the Wire.

escaped"
He destroyed every one of them"
This was the exclamation of Lieut.
Whittlesy as he hurried towards the bull
letin board at the navy department to-
day.
This was the first official declaration of
Admiral SIMPSONS superb victory over
the crafty Admiral Cervera and his troub-
lesome Spanish feet
The scenes and incidents at the navy de-
partment when Lieut.. Whittlesy delivered
to the press and the country his stirring
message viii never be forgotten by those
who witnessed them.
Veteran army and naval officers, bureau
chiefs, departmental clerks and the large
corps of newspaper correspondents gave
vent to bursts of patriotic enthusiasm
which echoed and re-echoed through the
long corridors of the building.
Every shout of exultation and rejoicing
brought force achievements from all
quarters of the war. navy and state de-
partments.
Before the reading of the bulletin was
half completed several hundred perspirlng
patriots had assembled, and they punct-
ured every sentence with yell of delight
When it was announced that the re-
doubtabie Admiral Cervera had been cap
tured the enthusiasm almost reached a
state of frenzy.
His noble reference to the gallant Hob
son was not forgotten and the rejoicing
over his capture was conferred with
]
though chivalrous prisoner of war.
Admiral SIMPSONS message was the
mast eloquent and exhilerating Fourth of
July Grafton delivered throughout this
broad land to-day.
His opening sentence was an inspiration,
and will live In history. one of the bright
literary gems in connection with the battle
of Santiago.
Late last night and early this morning
members of the war board vainly endeav-
ored to establish communication by cable
with Admiral Sampson for the purpose Of
obtaining a Verification of the reported des-
truction of the Spanish fleet.
All eyes were turned toward the navy de-
partment and every American ear listened
anXiously for just such a message as Ad-
miral Sampson finally transmitted to the
Secretary of the Navy.
Pending the arrival of that message,
however, there were many wild conjectures
as to Admiral Simpsons silence While
no one was prepared to discredit the re-
ported humiliation of Cervera's fleet, all
were anxious for some positive confrma-
ton of the story.
Secretary Long remained at the depart
ment until 1890 o'clock to-day, and finally
left his Office saying that he was going
home to await further developments.
1t being a general holiday only such Of
fcials were on duty as were actually ne
cessary for the transaction Of the urgent
business in connection with the war.
Assistant Secretary Allen had just con-
cluded a consultation with Assistant Sec
rotary Melkeljohn, relative to the trans
porting Of reinforcements to Gen. Shat
ter. The two assistant secretaries parted
in the corridor and returned to their res
pective offices.
Shortly before l o'clock a messenger
from the telegraph Office in the navy de-
partment rushed down the corridor to the
bureau OF Navigation.
Instantly the air was heavily charged
with rumors that a dispatch had been 1e-
ceived from Admiral Sampson.
Capt. Crowinshleld and his assistants in
the bureau of navigation, usually calm and
self-possessed, could not conceal the fact
that they we're laboring under suppressed
excitement.
kaIra ~ =.
to translate the message and make lin
tied number of typewriter copies Of it,
one copy was hurried over to the Presi-
dent by a special messenger, and a copy
was sent also to Secretary Long.
In the meantime the suspense seemed in
terminable, and 1t was reported that the
information was Of such a nature that It
must be withheld for the present.
The war correspondents swarmed around
the press table at the navy department
anxiously and eagerly waiting for the mes
sage, which they were convinced was Of
great import
It was stated that the bulletin would
be announced by Secretary Alger at the
war department in the absence OF Secre-
Instantly there was stampede In the
direction Of the war Office and the navy
department. for the time being, was prac-
tically deserted.
Secretary Alger announced that IL any
Information had been received from Ad-
nniral Sampson Il would be given out at
the navy department.
Back TO the navy department trooped the
correspondents reinforced every moment
bv the employees Of The three departments.
The President and the members Of the
cabinet having been duly advised Of the
contents OF Admiral sampson 5 message.
Lieut.. whitley promptly delivered a
COPY OF the dispatch to The correspondents.
ne could not restrain his enthusiasm as he
advanced towards the bulletin board, and