New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-05-03
AMERICAN PLUCK ADMIRED.
ENGLISH NAVAL AUTHORITIES PRAISE
DEWEY'S EXPLOIT
.,r-sYyG COMMENTS OF MORNING NEWSPAPERS
vAsrp on INCOMPLETE INFORMATIoN-AM-
BAssADOR HAY OVERWHELMED WITH
CONGRATULATIONS
fBY CABLE TO THE TRrBrNE. ]
CONGRATULATIONS

fRY CABLE TO THE TRrBuNEl
London May 2.-Nothing more IS said IN the
capers here about the Matanzas mule Commo-
dore Dewey's complete victory at Manila has
changed the entire tone of English comment on
What il has been pleased to describe as amateur
wgrraking.
The news Of the Manila triumph came too late
n be fully understood by the morning journals
some Of which referred to 1t drawn battle
or AS tactically indecisve. while others. with
,a,uous credulity accepted the Spanish claim
that the American fleet had been forced to
tire The Morning Post" as the organ Of the
sristocracy. naturally was most deeply
trapped remarking with a portentous air that
a substantial victory rested with the Spaniards
who would be encouraged by 1t. whereas the
war party in the United States would be corre-
spondngy depressed
The evening press perceves clearly that the
Spanish officials themselves being the witnesses.
their feet has been good destroyed THE
Pal Mall Gazette" considers II evident that the
Americans have now played winning game IN
the Philippines. and wonders whom they Will
Ike there In their place II they do not
themselves wish TO remain. The Westminster
Gazette" contends that the Americans might re-
store the Philippines on the condition that Cuba
should be freed The 81. Janess Gazette ap-
prehends that another apple Of dscord has been
rolled onto the table in the Far East. since the
Americans, by destroying what government
there is will make II necessary for somebody
else TO supply the loss. Even the carping anti
American Globe" after heroic attempts to get
a few crumbs OF comfort out OF the Spanish Of
flcial reports is constrained TO admit that there
Is an appalling tale Of destruction TO set down
against the loss alleged to have been inflicted
upon the American squadron.
The American victory almost the only
topic discussed this afternoon in the lo5bies and
smoking room of Parliament. Naval authori-
ties like Lord Charles Beresford and Sir Will
lam Allan regarded II as complete demons'ra-
tion Of the superior morale OF the American
feet and paid splendid tributes to genius IN ac-
tion as shown by Dewey there. There was gen
eral agreement that. without meaning 10 do H.
England by ordering the American fleet away
from Hong Kong had enabled the Commodore
to strike blow which would shorten the war
One comment which every tongue was
that Commodore Dewey. by his courage ana
grit in entering the harbor during the night and
opening fire on the batteries and ships. regard
less Of dangers from mines and the advantages
Of the enemys position. had given a new exhi-
b!tion Of old-tim American daredevil valor on
the sea Naval experts not inclined to split
hairs over the questions raised by lealer-writers
respecting the ability OF the American squad
ron TO hold the Philippines. They assumed that
the sole object OF this attack was the destruc-
tion Of the Spanish fleet. which had been ac-
compshed In few hours without single
American ship being disabled They asserted
that the American feet. having sunk. burned or
disabled every Spanish warship IN the Pacific.
would speedily withdraw and sail for the South
Atlantic whence II could either strengthen the
ole ont ace
the Spanish coast In anv event trey considered
It's work IN the Philippines done. since the con-
quest OF the islands not desired. and the
destruction Of the Spanish feet had been &C
complished.
The American Ambassador was overwhelmed
with concentrations this morning. He described
the American victory as complete In every re-
spect Lieutenant Colwell. his Naval Attache,
was emphatic in declaring that the Spanish
feet had been smashed and sent TO the bottom.
and that similar fate awaited the squadron
which had sailed from Cape Verd He laughed
at the idea that Commodore Dewey's feet had
retired because II unable 10 continue the
contest. and. taking up the details Of the Span
;sh dispatches, proved that nothing remained
afoat on that side and that the American ships
anchored merely because their work was done
Lieutenant Colwen estimated that Commodore
Dewey's squadron could furnish landing force
of thousand men. but he was not disposed
70 believe that the occupation OF Manila was
either practicable desirable.
Lieutenant Colwell is one Of the fighting men
In the servce and he has made dozen apph-
cations without effect 70 be relieved from his
present duties Of shlp-broker and foreign ac-
countant
Another American described Commodore
Dewey as having an ornamental reputation IN
Washington as a dude and dandy. and as
being one OF the least boastful and quietest men
IN the Navy; yet he had suddenly shown ms
capacity for handling a fleet with brilliant
energy and FOR winning victory at great risks'
The Spanish Embassy to-day was enveioped
in an atmosphere Of silence. one Of the best-
known Germans In London made TINS com
uent on Commodore Dewey's exploit 1T was a
plucky thing 20 90. He went over mines ana
torpedoes. and forced his way into the harDor
during the dark and began to fight as soon as
It dawn. That Is Anglo-Saxon grit IL al
ways succeeds 1t rules the world J. n r.