Daily new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1897-1906, 1898-05-03


through the surrender of the city the
commodore. might acquire control of
the cable, but even then there might be
practical difficulties in communicating
through it The officers of Commodore
Dewey's feet includes at least one lieu
tenant who is good practical electri-
clan and telegrapher, but it is not
known positively that he is able to work
cable successfully. Second, fear is
entertained that before retiring from
the city the Spanish troops will smash
the delicate and complicated electrical
apparatus for the reception and dispatch
OF messages, and it is very uncertain
whether there is enough technical skill
in the American feet to repair such
damage without aid from the mainland.
From the stubborn defense made by
the Spaniards, it is feared that before
they burnt, blew up or sunk their ships
they managed to inhict severe damage
upon Commodore Dewey squad ON.
All the ships engaged were vulnerable
In one respect-namely, in their lack of
protection to life. There was not an
armored ship in Commodore Dewey's
fleet, the nearest approach being the
flagship Olympia. She had some coal
protection around the sides and an
arched steel deck calculated to protect
the v1tals of the ship The other YES
sells of the fleet, save those recently
added to the navy, like the McCulloch
have lighter steel decks Of this char
acter, but in all cases, with the excep-
ton of some slight protection in the
shape of gun shields, the personnel of
the ships was exposed to the fire of the
enemy.
AS to the future of the island, it is
likely that the government will retain
possession of at least one good port, such
as Manila, for a coaling station and
base of supplies during the remainder of
the war. 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 enjoy a
| powerful weapon in enforcing terms of
peace with Spain. Surprising Porto
Rico shall next be seized. it would seem
that Spain will have little to encourage
her III further resistance, particularly as
the fall of Porto Rico would mean the
loss TO her of her ironclad fleet should
1t cross the Atlantic.
There is no talk yet of European in
PREVENTION, but one of the most benef-
cial results of Dewey's victory is that
deep impression has been made upon
the European powers who can no longer
afford to blind themselves to the fact
that man to man the American navy is
equal to any in the world. The i'm
preston produced is likely to deter the
Er1ropnan 1lpxuarc from hactu in ta1.uaql
ton and the present indications are
that we shall be left to settle our affairs
with Spain at our own pleasure, always
providing we do not get involved in the
eastern question through obtaining pos
session of the Philippines.
1t is entirely possible Commodore
Dewey may secure his promotion to the
rank of admiral through the splendid
exhibition of pluck, discretion and sailor
! qualities he made in the engagement.
The naval militia of the country is
fastening to extend it's aid to the gov
eminent. Commander Emerson of the
Maryland naval militia came to the
navy department and Informed Lieu
tenant Gibbons that he had gathered
another battalion Of 1870 men which
would be ready soon for active service.
COMMUNICATIVE of the Rhode Island
naval militia was also a visitor at the
department., and explained that he had
200 men ready for mobilization. Com
mander Norton of the North Carolina
naval militia called personally and sue
ceeded in having the department. change
its order, made in the case of the mont
| tor Nantucket, so as to allow the North
Carolina militia instead of the militia of
/ South Carolina to take that monitor
/ from Wilmington to Port Royal
-Four flags were displayed for the first
time in many months from the stats of
the state, war and navy department
building and on the east front huge
garrison flag foated all in honor of the
victory of the American feet at Manila.
Although the British colonial office
had been fully advised of the American
success from Manila, the authorities
in London did not communicate with
the British embassy here, nor did the
foreign offices at Paris, Berlin or other
capitals notify their representatives
here. This is taken to indicate that the
foreign offices will not communicate
events of a strictly military character,
and also that the American occupation
of tn Philippines has not yet assumed
political aspect at foreign centers.
The Spanish reverse at Manila seri-
ously depletes the Spanish navy at
tune when it is most in need of ships.
With the burning of the two cruisers,
Reina Christina and the Castillo,
Spain has lost two of her best second
rate cruisers. The cruiser Castillo was
slightly larger than the Reina Chris
tina. The Don Juan du Austria, which
was blown up, was another good craft
of the gunboat type. Aside from the
Gripping of the Spanish naval strength,