Evening star., 1898-05-02
Intense Interest in the News of the
Victory.
NO ADVICEO At fHE LEGATIONS
European intervention Not Likely
to Be fastened.
SPAIN'S UNPREPAREDNESS

AT the foreign embassies and legations in
tense interest is SHOWN in the news of the
decisive victory OF the American fleet at
Manila 1t was stated by high diploma tic
official that another such victory would end
thu cause of Spain and force her to seek an
armistice and peace The universal belief
in diplomatic quarters is that this stroke
in the Philippines will be Immediately fol-
lowed by aggressive action in Cuba Aside
from the immediate effects of the Manila
engagement. the foreign representatives
say 1t is likely to precipitate internal con-
vulsions in Spain. This has been appre-
hended by the European powers, and has
been the chief cause of their activity. it
threatens to carry the war to the continent
of Europe.
No Official AIvices mt Legations.
Official advices have not yet been received
at any Of the embassies representing the
great powers of Europe From the fact re
ported from Madrid that Commodore Dewey
had opened communication with the British
consul at Manila, 1t is expected that the
first reports, other than those of Spanish
character, Will come from British sources.
1t is understood that the British consul at
Manila, Mr.. Rawsoa-Wa,ker, has assumed
charge of American interests in the Philip
pines and under such circumstances he is
at present charged with the important duty
of protecting the lives Of the Americans at
Manila and elsewhere. 1t is believed that
Commodore Dswey will give his first at
tention to looking after the Americans
ashore. as their position is a perilous one
under existing conditions. 1t develops also
that the cable from Manila is British, not
Spanish, and it is believed that British op-
orators have charge of the cable station.
While messages would be subject to Span
ish censorship, yet there is doubt this
British ownership would insure more
prompt and unprejudiced transmission of
official and unofficial reports. The cable
goes to Hong Kong. and thence by way of
Alden and the Red sea 10 continental Eu-
rope and London. This insures free COM
munica:ion between Mr. Rawson-W alker
and the British foreign Office.
No step at Intervention Threatened.
Leading diplomats say no step toward
European Intervention is likely to be hast
ened by this disaster of Spain. 1t is looked
upon simply as a war reverse, which can
not be turned into political channels by
Spanish appeals TO the great powers. This
is the view taken in British, French and
German quarters. 1t was rather expected
from the British. but it is none the less
apparent among French and German off
cials, who regard the time for mediation
or Intervention as past.
One of the members of the diplomatic
corps said the gravest fears We're enter
tanned as to the effect of the reverse at
Madrid. The government there is threat
ened on two sides-one the Carlists, the
other the republicans. Humiliation over the
defeat Will naturally md expression against
the Sagasta regime and the throne Itself.
Whether the authorities will be able to re-
sist popular indignation is much doubted
by those conversant with the affairs at
Madrid Today's cable advices from Mad
id saying that martial law was ABOUT to
be proclaimed bear out the view of diplo-
mats as 10 the gravity of affairs in that
quarter.
Spain's Poor Preparation.
One OF the naval aids attached TO all
embassy here said the battle at Manila dis
closed the inadequate preparation made by
Spain. and gave good reasons for popular
resentment at Madrid. He said it was
now made plain that the quiet and con-
stant preparations carried On by the United
States were for good purpose and had
worked vital suits. He pointed out that
within eight days Of the issuance of the
declaration of war the American fleet had
sailed 100 miles and had struck a decisive
blow This at the outset of campaign
was OF double Importance, as it carried en-
thusiasm to the victors and brought con-
fusion and Generalization to the ranks of
the Spanish forces in all quarters. This
raval attache expressed surprise that the
Spanish defense az Manila had divided
into two parts-first. the engagement nf
the ships, and, second. the defense of the
city. Until the city was taken, he said,
the real results of the operations could not
be determined, as Commodore Dewey's
fleet had not yet passed the danger line, in
that its coal was reduced and its ammuni-
tlon depleted by the engagement of yester-
day.
He said also that the weakness of Spain
In the Philippines was doubtless an in1i-
cation Of the same weakness in Cuba and
Porto Rico The Spanish authorities. he
pointed OFT, had failed TO send an abuu
canoe OF coal 10 Cuba, Porto Rico and else
"here' and now their reverses were a nat
ural result of their own improvidence.
II Is expected that the Japanese author
ities will receive early official information
OF th9 battle at Manila. They have con-
sui there, and under the system deveI-
oped during the Japan-China war all mil
ltAry ana naval operations are immediately,
communicated to the admiralty office at
Aoh!o. ana thence made known to Japan-
ese oifcIals throughout the world. Up to a
late hour, however Minister Hoshi had no,
received official advices.