Adams County news. [volume] (Ritzville, Wash.) 1898-1906, 1898-05-11

department to utilize all the vast re-
sources of the nation to carry out these
plans with energy and rapidity.
Result of Dewey's victory.
Chicago, May GA special to the
Times Herald from Washington says:
The representatives of the foreign gov
ernments are taking an intense interest
in the conflict between the United States
and Spain. They are specially concerned
at present over the fate of the Philip
pines and discussing the possibility Of
intervention by the powers.
The concensus of opinion seems to be
hat if the United States should conclude
to retain possession of the conquered
islands in the Pacific the European pow
Non is also called to the fact that with
he capture of the Philippines the United
States can also claim the Marianne, Pala-
wan and Caroline islands.
A foreign diplomat, whose opinion is
entitled to consideration, in discussing
the situation, says:
European statesmen are much graft
fed to note that the United States ap-
pears determined to handle the Philip
pine question ably and strongly. When
the newspapers first asserted that only
10000 soldiers were to be sent to rein
force Admiral Dewey and make perma-
nent the fruits of his victory, consid-
cradle uneasiness was felt.
at would be a physical impossibility
to police the 100000 or 100000 inhab-
itants of Spain's Oceanic colonies with
that number of men. Under a good mil
itary government it would require 10000
for administrative purposes alone. The
proposition to transport 10000 soldiers to
this conquest is more like q business
proposition.
at may surprise some Americans to
know that Dewey's victory carries with
it spoils of war probably larger than was
ever decided by the issue of one battle.
The future value and influence of this
conquest is almost incalculable. Study
ing the situation as it exists we must
assume that with the fall of the Phillip
pines the United States will claim as
their due all the natural results of such
a capture. BY this one victory the Unit
ed States acquired at least the right of
disposal of the destiny of more than o.
100000 people.
Together with the Philippines 60 the
Marianne and the Palawans and Caro-
lines. The Philippines have an area of
ll4360 square miles; the Marianne or
I.adrone islands have 440 square miles
and the Palawans and CarOlines 1850.
Stretching eastward from the Philippines
these groups extend about as degrees Of
latitude. A little further to the north
and east are the Hawaiians. Should the
United States then build either of the
Isthmian canals she will not only control
the ocean water passage, but in the most
strategic portion of the Pacific ocean, she
can, as it were, cross that vast expanse
of the ocean upon her own stepping
stones"
Thanks to Dewey.
Washington, May 9.-The president
today sent the following message to con-
gress:
To the Congress of the United States:
On the gath of April 1 directed the
secretary of the navy to telegraph orders
to Commodore George Dewey, United
States navy, commanding the Asiatic
squadron, then lying in the port of Hong
Kong, to proceed forthwith to the Phil
ippine islands and there commence opera
tions and engage the Spanish fleet.
Promptly obeying the order, the United
States squadron, consisting of the flag
ship Olympia, Baltimore, Raleigh, Bos-
ton and Petrol, accompanied by the rev.
enue cutter Hugh McCulloch as an aux
iliary dispatch boat, entered the harbor
of Manila at daybreak on the LIST day of
May and Immediately engaged the entire
Spanish fleet, eleven ships, which were
under the protection of the fire of land
forces. After a stubborn fight, in which
the enemy suffered great loss, those YES
sells were destroyed or completely dis
abled and the water battery at Cavite
was silenced. OF our brave officers and
men, not one was lost and only eight
injured, and those but slightly. All our
ships escaped serious damage. By the
4th of May Commodore Dewey had taken
possession of the naval station at Cavite,
destroying the Notifications there and al
the entrance of the bay and paroling
their garrisons. The waters of the bay
are under his complete control. He has
established hospital within the Amer
lean lines where $50 Spanish sick and
wounded are assisted and protected.
The magnitude of this victory can
hardly be measured by the ordinary
standards of naval warfare. Outweigh
ing any material advantage is the moral
effect of this initial success. At this UNI
surpassed achievement the great heart of
our nation throbs, not with Boosting or
with greed of conquest, but with deep
gratitude that this triumph has come in
Just cause and that. by the grace of
God, an effective step has thus been taken
toward the attainment of wished-for
peace.
To those whose skill. courage and de-
votion have won the fight, to the gallant
commander and brave officers and men
who aided him. our country owes an in
calculable debt. Feeling as our people
feel, and speaking in their name, at once
sent message to Commodore Dewey
thanking him and his officers and men
for the splendid achievement and over
whelming victory and informing him
had appointed him acting rear-admiral
/ now recommend, following our ma
tional presidents, and expressing the fer