Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1898-05-02

American ships and men considered in it.
self a happy outcome, but was commented
upon as indicating clearly that Admiral
Dewey and hts associate officers and the
men under their command had discharged
spIendidIy their several duties, in directing
and executing the fight.
In this connection it was pointed out
as little less than marvellous that the
American squadron escaped without severe
injury, because, Notwithstanding the dis
parity in the naval forces. the Spanish
feet, assisted by the shore batteries,
should have been able to inflict severe
damage to its foe before itself being de-
stroyed. Its failure to do so was explicable
only upon the hypothesis of perfect and
swift work by the American squadron.
An opinion freely expressed tonight by
naval officers is that the very decisive vic
tory Of Admiral Dewey's fleet will mean
probably an early end to the war. without
further naval battles of importance. The
American fleet, it is suggested, is now su-
preme in the waters of Spain's Pacific
possessions, and indications were strongly
toward the slipping OF the Philippines
from her control.
1t was said that. only by quickly yielding
to our demands, in Cuba, could this loss
possibly be averted. Spain, it is argued.
was confronted with a situation which
promised naught save disaster in case she
elected to force more fighting. The super
iority Of the American fleet has been DEM
onstrated in the Pacific, and the same, it
is contended, would be inevitable in the
Atlantic in case the clash comes.
From whatever point OF view considered.
the policy of more fighting on the part of
Spain promises nothing but more Spanish
misfortune. Navy officers think this view
must prevail with the Spanish government
and believe an end of the war, upon the
basis of Cuban independence is to follow
soon, and that, too. without further notable
opportunity for the American navy to prove
its power and distinguish itself.
Judge McComas. senator-elect from
Maryland. after expressing his joy over the
the expected result of the cannonading at
Manila to-day when he said that 1t was
likely to have a tremendous effect not
only in Span. but throughout Europe. He
expressed the belief that it would turn the
tide of European sentiment toward the
United States.
The idea advanced by Judge McComas
was expressed by others tonight. 1t is
regarded by some as likely that the de-
cisive victory gained by Admiral Dewey's
squadron may open the eyes Of Spain to
the seriousness of the conflict upon which
she has entered. In official circles 1t Is
regarded as almost certain that trouble of
a most critical kind will confront the Sa-
gasta government within Spain's own bor-
ders. 1t is pointed out that the Spanish
people have been led to believe that their
navy was invincible and the bitter disap-
pointment that will come over the result
of the first engagement of the war is likely
to precipitate internal dissension, II not
a revolution.
Another result Of Admiral Dewey's VIC
tory. 1t is thought. may be action on the
part of the powers Of Europe to induce
Spain to abandon what is regarded as a
hopeless contest for her. Representations
may be made to Spain that she would bet
ter relinquish her hold upon Cuba than to
risk losing all of her West Indian DOS
sessions and the Philippines as WELL 1t is
believed to be not unlikely that the repre-.
sentations will indicate that, since Span.
ish honor has been satisfied by a conflict
Spain can now yield to the Inevitable and
accept the good Offices of the powers to
bring about an adjustment.
In the dispatches from Madrid the state.
ment was made that Admiral Dewey ef.
fected landing on the west side of Ma.
Mia bay for the men of his fleet who were
wounded in the engagements. 1t was sug.
gested In official circles that this landing
had twofold purpose. 1t was not only
that the wounded might have better care
than they could receive on shipboard, ir
the face of other probable engagements
but also to carry out what was known t.
| be Admiral Dewey's purpose to effect &
| junction with the insurgents as soon a:
| possible.
The insurgent forces practically surround
! Manila on the land sides of the city, and
with the intention of securing control O.