The record-union., 1898-05-03


IN that sense, attached to the Spanish
fortunes. With this material on one
hand and the insurgents on the other,
the latter stimulated by the overthrow
of the Spanish at Manila, it is probable
that civil war may rage on the island
Tor some time outside of Manila prop
er. 1t is believed the officials have not
decided what to do with the islands at
the end of the war, but in their pos
session the United States will anjoy a
power II weapon in enforcing terms of
peace with Spain. Supposing Porto
RICO shall next be seized, it would seem
that Spain win have little to encourage
her in further resistance, particularly
as the fall of Porto Rico would mean
the loss to her of her iron-clad fleet
should it attempt to cross the Atlantic.
A LESSON TO FOREIGN POWERS.
There is not talk yet of European in
tervention, but one of the most bene-
fetal results of Dewey's victory yes
terday is that a deep impression has
been made upon the European Powers,
who can now no longer afford to blind
themselves to the fact that, man to
man, the American navy is equal to
any in the world. There was no exhi
bition such as was sneeringly predicted
in the European press of weakness in
the American fleet, caused by the fact
that it was of heterogeneous compost
ton It is safe to say that after the
battle at Manila the European Powers
will conclude that the American flag
always floats over the American crew,
regardless of the nationality or racial
descent of the men who fight the guns.
The impression produced is likely to de-
ter the European Powers from hasty
intervention, and the present indica-
tions are that we shall be left to set
tie our affairs with Spain at our own
pleasure, providing we do not get in
volved in the Eastern question through
obtaining possession of the Philippines.
DEWEY MAY BE PROMOTED.
1t is entirely possible that Commo-
dore Dewey may secure his promotion
to the rank of Admiral through the
splendid exhibition of pluck, discretion
and sailor qualities he made in yester-
days engagement. The naval law, how
ever, does not permit of promotion eX
cept by seniority, so that it probably
would be requisite for Congress to pass
a special resolution, such as was done
in the case of Commodore Melville, to
afford him well-earned promotion
NAVAL MILITIA.
The naval militia of the country is
fastening to extend its aid to the Gov
ernment. Commodore Emerson of the
Maryland naval militia came to the
Navy Department to-day and informed
Lieutenant Gibbons, the energetic
young officer who has done so much to
form the naval militia, that he had
gathered another battalion of 1900,
service.
Commodore Little of the Rhode ISL
and naval militia was also a visitor at
the department, and explained that he
had 200 men ready for mobilization.
Commodore Norton of the North Car
olina naval militia called personally,
and succeeded in having the depart
metn change its orders made in the
case of the monitor Nantucket, so as
to allow the North Carolina militia in
stead of the militia of South Carolina
to take the monitor from Wilmington
to Port Royal.
STARS AND STRIPES IN EVIDENCE
-Four flags were displayed to-day for
the first time in many months from the
staffs of the State, War and Navy De-
partment buildings. and on the east
front a huge garrison flag fioated, all
in honor of the victory of the Amer
lean fleet at Manila yesterday
MUSTERING OF VOLUNTEERS
The War Department is bending all
its energies to the mastering in of the
volunteers and the recruiting of the
regular army to its full war strength of
10000 men.
Secretary AIger and Genral Miles had
a long conference with the President
this afternoon, presumably in regard
to appointments to the volunteer serv-
ice In a few days all the troops that
have been ordered to Tampa are expect
ed to reach that place. and the eight
large transports which are to conduct
the first expedition to Cuba have been
ordered to proceed to Tampa.
The officials. however, decline to
make public any information regarding
the expedition or the place in Cuba
where it is to land. The Quartermas-
ter's department has begun negotia-
tions with railroad companies for the
transportation of volunteers to their
mobilizing points, and it is expected
arrangements will be made for uniform
rates on all the lines, so as to move the
troops with the least expense to the
Government.
General Wesley Merritt, commanding
the Department of the East, with head
quarters at New AOIh, IepoTleu dl the
War Department to-day for consulta-
ton with Secretary Alger. The pur-
pose of his visit, other than stated, was
not divulged.
The officers of the commissary depart
ment at New York City to-day opened
proposals for supplying food to the army
of 1S5. 600 men, if the Government finds
it necessary to contract for that num-