Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1898-05-02

this was especially pleasing to the
naval students of the news.
Not only was the preservation OF the
American ships and men considered In
itself happy outcome. but was COM
mented upon as indicating clearly that
Admiral Dewey and his associate Of
ficers and men under their command
had discharged splendidly their several
duties in directing and executing the
fight.
In this connection 1t was pointed out
as little less than marvellous that the
American squadron escaped without
severe injury, because notwithstanding
the disparity In the naval forces. the
Spanish fleet, assisted by the shore
batteries, should have been able to in
flict severe damage to It's foe before Its
being destroyed. Its failure to do SO
was explecable only upon the hypthe-
sis of perfect and swift work by the
American squadron.
An opinion freely expressed tonight
by naval officers is that the very
decisive victory of Admiral Dewey's
fleet VIII mean probably an early end
to the war without further naval bat
ties of Importance. The American fleet,
1t is suggested Is now supreme in the
waters Of Spain's Pacific possession
and Indications were strongly toward
the slipping of the Philippines from her
control.
1t was said that only by quick yield
ing to our demands, in Cuba, could this
loss possibly be averted. Spain, II was
argued, was confronted with situa-
ton which promised naught save dis
aster in case she elected to force more
fighting. The superiority of a superior
fleet has been demonstrated In the Pa
cific and the same. 1t is contended,
would be inevitable in the Atlantic, in
case the clash comes.
From whatever point of view consid-
cred 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 believes an
end of the war on the basis of Cuban
independence, is TO follow soon and
that too. without further notable OPP
portunty for the American navy to
prove its power and distinguish itself
Judge McComas, senator elect from
Maryland, after expressing his joy over
the result ,of the conflict. struck a key
note of the expected result of the can
noading at Manila today when he said
that II was likely to have tremendous
effect not only In Spain. but throughout
Europe. He expressed the belief that
1t would turn the tide of European
sentiment toward the United States.
The Idea advanced by Judge McCo-
mas was expressed by others tonight.
1t is regarded by some as likely that
the decisive victory gained by Admiral
Deweys squadron may open the eyes
of Spain to the seriousness OF the con-
flict upon which she has entered
In official circles it is regarded as al
most certain that trouble of n most
critical kind Will confront the Sagasta
government within Spain's own
borders. 1t Is predicted that the Span
ish people have been led to believe that
their navy was invincible and the bit
ta,. Il taga MAJ, hos
over the result of the first engagement
of the war is likely to precipitate In
ternal dissension, IL not n revolution.
Another result of Admiral Deweys
victory, II Is thought, may be action
on the part OF the powers of Europe to
induce Spain to abandon what is re-
garded as a hopeless contest for her.
Representations may be made to Spain
that she would better relinquish her
hold upon Cuba than to risk losing all
of her West Indian possessions and the
Philippines as well.
1t Is believed to be not unlikely that
the representations will indicate that,
since Spanish honor has been satisfied
by conflict. Spain can now yield to
the inevitable and accept the good Of
fees of the powers to bring about an
adjustment.
In the dispatches from Madrid the
statement was made that Admiral
side of Manila bay for the men of his
fleet who We're wounded In the engage
ments. II was suggested in official
circles that this landing had twofolu
purpose. 1t ws not only that the
wounded might have the better care
than they could receive on shipboard.
tn the face of other probable engage
inents. but also to carry out what was
known to be Admiral Dewey's purpose
to effect a junction with the insurgents
as soon as possible.
The insurgent forces practically sur
round Manila on both sides of the city
and with the intention of securing con-
troll of Manila as soon as possible. Ad-
miral Dewey was to obtain footing
on the island at the earliest practical
moment As soon as the junction of
the American and insurgent forces, the
one on sea and the other on land is
effected, demand Is likely to be made
for the surrender of the city and, In
the event of refusnl.a combined attack
would be made on 1t. The result or
such attack in the absence of a Sran-
ish fleet and effective shore batteries,
seems a foregone conclusion,
No news of n definite character H.
given concerning the loss sustained by
Admiral Deweys squndron and 1t is
scarcely likely, In the opinion oe ex-
perts of the navy, that authentic infor-
nation viii be received until Admiral
Dewey has opportunity to commune
cate officially with the deartment.
1t is regarded as probable that i'm
mediately after the engagements of to-
day Admiral Dewey sent the revenue
cutter McCulloch back TO Hongkong
with dispatches and that the first in
formation from him will come from
that point.
The distance from Manila TO Hong
kong is n trine over COO miles and II
win take the McCulloch about two
days to make the trip.
sPANIARDs CLAIM VICTORY.
Madrid. May 1.--Advices from Man
lila received at $50 O'Clock this even
ing say that the American squadron
under Commodore Dewey appeared off
the bay of Manila at 8 O'Clock this
morning and opened a strong cannon
AIDE against the Spanish squadron and
forts protecting the harbor, The Span
ish second-class cruiser Don Juan de
Austria was severely damaged and her
commander was killed. Another SPAN
ish vessel was burned. The American
squadron retired, having also sus-
tained severe damage.
A second naval engagement followed
in which the American cquadron
again suffered considerable loss. The
Spanish warships Mindanao and ulloa