The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1898-05-03

Washington, May 1.-Washington is
rejoiced tonight. Not since the dark
days cf the great civil conflict OF a
third of a century ago have the people
of this city been so profoundly moved
by war news as they We're this even
ing.
The first battle in the Spanish-Amer-
lean war has been fought and victory
lies with Admiral Dewey's squad
ron under the stars and stripes
That was enough to set the people
of Washington almost in a frenzy of
enthusiastic 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 have rung with cheers through
out the night.
The first news of the battle received
in Washinton came in a brief cable
gram to the Associated Press from
Madrid about o'clock this evening AS
night worn on the cable continued to
sing the news of victory for the squad
ron of Admiral Dewey and the interest
grew into tremendous excitement Or
dinarily Washington is the quietest
of cities on Sunday, but as bulletin
after bulletin was posted in front OF
the newspaper offices, each successive
one conveying Information more graft
flying than it's predecessor, the crowds
in the streets became uproarious. Good
rs Well as bad news spread rapidly,
and by 10 O'Clock the streets were
crowded with people, all discussing the
one exciting topic of the hour. Hun
dreds gathered in front of the bulletin
boards and every scintifla OF news
and it was all glorious-was received
with enthusiastic cheers. While vic
tory had been expected, the news of
it-coming as it did come from Spanish
Sources-gave vent to the patriotism
of the people which has been pent up
for days. 1t was a spontaneous out
burst of patriotic feeling that scarcely
knew bounds. Admiral Dewey's name
was on every lip and his praises were
sung in the rejoicing of the people.
Thus for no official advices have
been received by the government; but
the Associated Press dispatches We're
transmitted to the president and Off
cials of the administration as rapidly
as they were received. The president
in company with several Of his advis-
Ors read the bulletins in the library
of the White house early in the even
ing, but later in the night he Went to
his office on the second floor of the
executive mansion where, until d late
hour, he continued to pursue every
dispatch with deepest interest. The
news was evidently of the most graf
flying character to him, but no state
ment could be obtained at the execu-
tive mansion concerning the battle or
it's possible consequences.
Officials of the navy department were
reticent in discussing the conflict in
the absence OF official information but
they made no pretense OF concealing
their great qualification. Secretary
Long declined to comment upon the
subject, but 1t was evident that he
felt relieved. 1t has been known for
days at the navy department that
conflict at Manila was inevitable, and
while no great fear of the result was
expressed, there was yet a deep con-
Germ in the heart Of every official. To-
nights news removes a great weight
from the minds of adj.
Navy and army circles, after mani
Testing throughout the day the great
est eagerneSs for news from Philip
pines, received with intense joy the
advices telling of the victory OF Ad-
miral Dewey's feet. Their satisfaction
that the defeat of the Spanish had
been overwhelming was Strengthened
by reason of the news coming almost
wholly from Madrid, and they were
unreserved in expressing their gratifi-
cation upon the signal triumph or the
American forces.
At the Army and Navy Club a large
company has gathered and read and
commented upon the story Of the en-
gagemenr. as il was presented in the
bulletins OF the Associated Press At
the club, down town. at their homes
and wherever seen. the officers We're
free in giving vent TO the pleasure they
felt at the news and declaring the con-
fidence which they had entertained
throughout that the American ships.
their officers and men would demon
strate their superiority over the Span
ish feet in the Philippine waters The
absence OF any statement OF specific
injury TO the American vessels in the
Madrid advices, was construed as con-
vincing indication 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 its happy out
come but IL was commented upon as
Indicating clearly that Admiral Dewey
and his associate officers and the men
under their command had discharged