Williston graphic. (Williston, Williams County, N.D.) 1895-1919, 1898-05-06
JOY IN WASHINGTON.
The People Express Their Delight
Over the News from Manila.

The People Express Their Delight
Over the News from Manila.
Washington, May 2.-Washington is
rejoiced. Not since the dark days of
the great civil conflict of third of
century ago have the people of this city
been so profoundly moved by war news
as they were Sunday evening. The first
battle Of the Hispano-American war has
been fought and victory lies with Adj
miral Dewey's squadron under the stars
and stripes.
That was enough to set the people Of
Washington almost in q frenzy of en-
thusiastic rejoicing. For days they, in
common with the people throughout
the country, have been awaiting news
from the Philippine islands, as every
thing pointed to a battle at Manila'that
might be decisive conflict Of the war.
When the news came indicating a great
victory for the American squadron the
enthusiasm Of the people was let loose
and the streets Of the city rang with
cheers all night.
President Reticent.
Thus far no official advices have been
received by the government. but press
dispatches were transmitted to the
president and officials of the admins
tration as rapidly as they were received.
The president, in company with several
of his advisers. read the bulletins in the
library of the white house early in the
evening, but later in the night he went
to his office on the second floor Of the
executive mansion where, until late
hour. he continued to peruse every dis
patch with deepest interest. The news
was evidently of the most gratifying
character to him, but no statement
could be obtained at the executive man
sion concerning the battle or its pos
sible consequences.
Calls 1t n Glorious Victory.
Secretary Alger declared that it was
GLORIOUS victory" but, in common
with other officials of the administra-
ton, declined to make extended COM
ment upon it.
The absence of any statement of spe-
cific injury to the American vessels
in the Madrid advices was construed as
convincing indicati ton that they had not
suffered appreciable injury, and 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 out
come, but was commented upon as in
dicating that Admiral Dewey and his
associate officers and the men under
their command had discharged splen-
didly their several duties in directing
and executing the fight.
Sqnadron's Great Work.
In this connection it was pointed out
as little less than marvellous that the
American squadron escaped without Sc
we're injury, because, Notwithstanding
the disparity in the naval forces, the
Spanish feet. assisted by the shore bat
teries, should have been able to inflict
severe damage to its foe before itself
being destroyed. Its failure to do so
was explicable only upon the hypothe-
sis of perfect and swift work by the
Americans.
Predict Early End OF the War.
An opinion freely expressed by naval
officers is that the very decisive VIC
tory of Admiral Dewey's fleet will mean
probably an early end to the war, with
out further naval battles of Importance.
The American feet, it Is suggested, is
now supreme in the waters OF Spain g
Pacific possession, and Indications were
strongly towards the slipping Of the
Philippines from her control. It was
said that only by quickly yielding to
our demands in Cuba could this loss
possibly be averted. Spain. 1t was ar
gued, was confronted with situation
which promised naught save disaster in
case she elected to force more fighting
Must Wait for DeAnite News.
No news Of definite character Is
given concerning the loss sustained by
Admiral Dewey's squadron, and it ID
scarcely likely, in the opinion Of experta
# the navy. that authentic informatio
WI be received until Admiral Dewey
has Opportunity to communicate OH
.iallv With the department. It 10 re-