The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-05-08
Commodore Dewey's Report.

NothHouOfe DcWcss Report.
The dispatches received by the navy de-
partment from Commodore Dewey fully
confirm the news received last Sunday
that the American feet won a great and
glorious victory at Manila. There was
never any doubt in the public mind that
victory had been won. but there was great
anxiety TO have a statement concerning 1t
from Commodore Dewey himself Besides,
the dispatches last Sunday contained no
statement respecting losses suffered by
the crews or vessels of our fleet. There
also began to be feeling of apprehension
that our feet had not been able TO capture
Manila, and was in peril of some sort. The
dispatches to the navy department make
it clear that the victory was greater than
appeared from the accounts received last
Sunday. that the casualties on the Amer4-
can side were few and comparatively un-.
important and that the american feet is
in no danger from any cause or from any
source.
The Manila naval battle will rank with
the great naval engagements of the world.
We have not the full details of it yet, but
was fought with wonderful skill and judg-
ment, and that the dash and daring ex-
hibited were such as to command the ad-
miration of naval comma nders and critics
the world over. While it Is true that the
Spanish ships were not the equal of ours
they were greater in number, were assist
ed by what were understood to be strong
a..
place of battle. We are not sure yet
whether the entrance to the harbor was
protected with mines or not, but Commo-
dore Dewey understood that it was, and
some of the reports sent out from Madrid
say it was. Commodore Dewey, however,
did not hesitate to enter the harbor. not
withstanding the mines and forts, and at
tack the Spanish feet. His daring in en-
tering the harbor under such clrcum-
stances compels admiration. If he had
failed there would have been those who
would have called his undertaking fool
hardy and would have condemned him
severely. But he knew no such word as
fail It is by such daring as he exhibited,
accompanied by good judgment that sue
cess is won.
A remarkable feature of the battle was
the fact that only a few of the men on our
ships were wounded and none was killed.
The ships were not damaged. On the 9TH
er hand the Spanish fleet was annihnated,
more than one hundred and fifty were
killed and several hundred were wounded.
The Spaniards shot wide of the mark
Our gunners knew how to handle their
guns ana hit the mark
We do not know whether or not Com
modore Dewey has yet taken possession
of Manilas The dispatches received at the
navy department were dated last Sunday
What has taken place within the last week
we do not know. sCommodore Dewey said
that he could take possession of Manila
at any time-it was in his power. He may
not have thought it advisable TO take pos
session of the city until he received a sufi-
cient force with which to hold it, Soldiers
viii be sent to him at once, and also every
thing else he may need. His fleet will be
strengthened so that Spain will not even
think of sending a fleet to recover the
Philippines.
Commodore Dewey deserves the words of
praise he Is receiving. He and his officers
and men will be made aware of the high
esteem in which they are held by the
American people They have added a
glorious chapter to the naval history Of
the nation.