The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-05-03
BEGINNING of THE END.
Opinion of Members of the Admins
tration-Spain May Back Down.

WASHINGTON, May 2.-The general
opinion among prominent MEMBERS of the
administration is that the naval victory at
Manila is not only highly important Of
itself, but that it will have a very decided
influence among the nations of Europe,
which may ultimately result in their united
action in forcing Spain to an early re-
linquishment of the impossible task of COM
Polling the United States to change it's
course with respect to Cuba. The attorney
general, when questioned to-day, said that
in his judgment the Manila victory was the
beginning Of the end. A few such defeats
must convince the Spanish government that
their case was a hopeless one, and it was
his opinion that it would be anxious to re-
open negotiations with the United States
with a view to a complete surrender of her
sovereignty over Cuba. Thinking men, he
said, the world over have been convinced
from the first that there could be but one
issue to the present struggle. Spanish SOW
ereignty in this hemisphere must end COM
pletely and forever. This view, he believed,
had been shared by the leading members
of the Spanish government, but they were
poWerlesS to prevent a conflict which they
well knew must result fatally to their cause;
Secretary Gage held similar views, and
he was inclined to the opinion that Spain
might not wait for more crushing defeats
before she set on foot negotiations looking
to the cessation of hostilities. There had
not been from the first, and could not be.
any question as to the final settlement or
the war between the two countries. We
were so far superior in everything that goes
to make up a great nation that only a SNORT
time would be necessary, in his Judgment:
to demonstrate even to the satisfaction of
the SpaniardS themselves that they were
completely outclassed. However, the intl-
alive probably would be taken by a concert
OF the European powers, but how soon that
Influence would ho nffOofiuplX hrnlOhf 70
bear upon the Spanish government could
not be foretold.
Although the victory at the Philippines
undoubtedly will have the effect of releasing
at least a part of Commodore's Deweys
fleet, members of the administration are
not inclined to discuss what action would
be taken in that regard. Whether or not
they would be sent westward against the
Spanish fleet at home or proceed east TO
join our own fleet in the atlantic is not
soon as the islands have been taken COM
plete possession of by Commodore Dewey
a sufficient force of United States troops
exercise proper police supervision.
1t is stated by high authority that Com
modore Dewey's instructions We're OF a gen
eral character, simply directing him to re-
duce the Spanish Notifications of the island
and take possession. To this end he would
be permitted under his Instructions to exer-
else his judgment as to whether lombard
ment of the city of Manila itself was neces-
sary, and to do whatever the situation re-
IuJIeu WlIIlll Tic III VI Il wal 4
1t is the opinion, however, of high officials
here that only in the event that a Spanish
force occupied the city and could not be dis
lodged otherwise would a bombardment be
probable.
Up to IL o'clock the President had not
received any report from Commodore Dew
ey on the engagement. nor was any looked
for during the day and possibly tomorrow.
The President was extremely gratified at
the news received by him through the Asso-
ciated Press. and with much satisfaction
the dispatches to all of his callers.
1t is understood that the President has in
preparation a proclamation which will be
issued within the next two or three days,
specifically fixing the status of Spanish sub
jects in this country. Although the terms
of the proclamation cannot be stated with
any degree of particularly. it is understood
that all Spanish subjects in this country
will be required to register their names,
and proof of their identity. to-
gether with satisfactory evidence of good
character, failing in which they will be re-
1uired to leave the country within a speCf-
fed time.