New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-05-08
CRUSHING BLOW TO SPAIN.
HER RICHEST COLONY LOST.
MEASURES TAKEN TO SECURE THE
FRUITS OF DEwEY'S VICTORY.
A STRONG EXPEDITION WILL BE SENT FROM san
FRANCISCO TO THE PHILIPPINES AS
SOON AS POSSIBLE.

fBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBrNE.1
Washington, May AFTER six days or suS'
pense-morc or less wearing to the Admlnlstra'
tion and the public though free from any tinge
of alarm apprehension official news reached
Washington early this morning OF the Amerl'
can sQuadrons complete and decisive victory
over the Spanish land and naval forces In Ma
Mia Bay. Reports received from Spanish
sources early as Sunday last had left prac-
ticay no doubt Of the overwhelming character
Of the disaster which had befallen Admiral
Montojos fleet, and before cable communica-
tions with the Philippines had been cut on
enough details Of the engagement at Cavite had
come to light to establish beyond question the
utter overthrow Of Spanish naval and military
power in the islands Though admissions made
by the Governor-Genera OF the Philippines to
the authorities at Madrid proved conclusively
that the American squadron had not only de-
sroyed the Spanish fleet in action, but had
sienced the land batteries Mt Cavite. the port
Of Manila and was thus In a position TO de-
mand the surrender of the colonial capital on
pain Of bombardment. yet the lack Of any def
mite information 2, to 'ha losses suffered by
the American warships left the military stua.
ton in Manila Harbor at the close Of the con-
hict more or less clouded in uncertainty.
ANXIETY GIVES fl-ACE ~ JOl
The official reports received to-day from Com
modore Dewey have not only confirmed tho
widest stories Of Spanish disaster. but have
relieved the most conservative and Justly found
ed apprehenslons Of American losses and sacri-
fees Not only has the Asiatic Squadron ac-
cordng TO the brief and modest report made by
its commander annhlated an opposing fleet
and captured at a single blow Spain's richest
and most important island colony. but 1t has
accomplished this signal result without the loss
of a single American life or the slightest ma
teral damage TO an American warship
In Commodore Deweys words. only few
men were slightly wounded; and private dis
patch from Hong Kong, received here to-day
by one Of the Assistant Secretaries Of the
Treasury. Frank A. Vanderp. places the num-
Der Of American wounded at exactly half
dozen. Commodore Deweys estimates OF the
Spanish losses are not explicit, though he re-
ports that 100 men were killed or drowned on
the Reina Cristlna alone, and that 2oO sick
and wounded Spanards are now under his care
within the American lines at Cav!te. Never
before. perhaps, has naval victory or sucn
magnitude or consequence been won with 80
small an expenditure OF blood on the part or
the victor. and 1t is only natural that the receipt
should have set the whole OF Washington to
wondering at the brlliance and completeness
of his performance and the extraordinary i'm
munty with which he led his ships through
two successive engagements with numerous
and fairly equipped hostile feet protected BY
new and formidable land batteries.
Nor Is il to be wondered at that the Presi-
dent. on reading the Commodores concise sum-
"a
Philippines. should have sent TO him at once
through Secretary Long the congratulations or
the American people. and have conferred on
him at once by brevet the highest rank attain
able in the United States Navy. BY the Presi-
dents direction. Commodore Dewey becomes
from to-day en- Acting Admral-a grade which
is likely 70 be conferred on him with due reg
ularlty I'm the near future Secretary Long add
ing In his return telegram 10 Manila that the
President will recommend a vote OF thanks TO
Won by Congress as a basis OF further promo
tlon'
MILITARY SITUATION AT MANILA
Commodore Dewey's two dispatches. though
brief. throw clear and instructive light for all
practical purposes on the military situation at
Manila. In the first report. dated May |. he shows
that on that day he sunk or disabled all the ships
of Admiral Montojos fleet and silenced the i'm
por,ant land batteries at Cavte. the chief de-
| fence Of Manila Uarbor. In the second report
| dated three days la,er. he announces that ne
has occupied Cavlte as a base for land opera
tlons against the capital. mas opened free
massage into and out of the bay by reducing
and dismantling the for;ihcations on Corregidor
and it's sister island. and has Manila Itself help
less under his squadron's guns
Apparcntly no bombardment had been thought
necessary up 10 Wednesday last nor had Com
modorc Dewey thought il advisable TO occupy
the capiial the task Of maintaining order there
and in the surrounding country with the smal
force of marines N his disposal involving 100
great a drain on his fighting strength IL
evidently his programme TO hold for the present
that control of the bay and harbor when VIII
enable him at any time TO assume possession OF
rho citv ard 10 protect as far as possible, the
uvcs of the foreign residents without actually
establishing military rule on shore.
II is altogether likely that Commodore Dewey
in certain sentences which were prudently
ted from to-day's dispatches before they
were given ont for publication, pointed out 10
the Administrator that reinforcement or land
troops would be necessary 10 establish ana
maintain American authority in the Ihillppines'
and asked that aid OF that sort be sent AT once
10 the Far East In the mean time, as can be
read between the lines of the two messages. the
American commander Will be prepared to hold
and even gradually to extend the advantages
won bv his bold and successful stroke Of Sun
day last.
THE EXPEDITION TO BE HURRIED.
At any rate. renewed efforts are being made
10 get the projected expedition from San Fran
cisco started for the Philippines within the COM
ing week General Miles ana Secretary Alger
had n conference this afternoon 10 discuss the