The Big Stone Gap post. [volume] (Big Stone Gap, Wise County, Va.) 1892-1928, 1898-05-05
THE WAR WILL END
With Another Bold stroke Of Our Naval
Force, and Cuba VIII he Free-Probablv
the Beginning Of the End.

| NAsnINGToN, May 3.-The admins
trdtion will not arrive at a hasty dc
termination in respect 10 further mill
tary and naval operations in conSe-
luence OF the reports received from
nc Philippines They hope to receive
definite report from Adm. Dewey AT
an early enough date TO be Of value in
connection with the operation of tho
ueetS under command of Adm. Samp-
son and Commodore Schley. The ad.
wees received from hostile sources
show clearly enough that Adm. Dewey
mas utterly destroyed the Spanish
power in the Pacific. but they
10 not show what damage. If anv
u consequence, was done our
own vessels. AS this is the first en-.
gagcmcnt our modern war vessels have
had, 1t Is Of incalcuable value 10 know
Exactly how our vessels behaved and
what weaknesses they showed. In.
formation on this line will enable the
commanders Of our Atlantic SuuadronS
10 correct whatever defects may exist
IN the new system Of naval action and
give them confidence in the good uual.
tues OF the modern war ship not here.
tofore tested. A very strong belief
prevails that the Philippines victory
IS the beginning Of the end. and that
prompt action at this time will speed |
Iy bring Spain 10 terms.
The disturbed condition OF affairs in
Madrid reported Monday morning
shows the desperate straits TO which
the Spanish government mas been
driven and 1t Is conceived to be posi-.
bic that Spain will not be in a con-
dltlon to prosecute the war much
further. Civil strife at home will make
1t very difficult for her 10 maintain
herself, even for short time. either
Oh the seas or in Cuba. The opinion
IS entertained that if the Cape Verde
1eet Is not already directly on its way
10 Porto Rico, it will never go there or
anywhere on this side of the Atlantic.
The fact, however, that the
lect on leaving the Cape Verde =
stands steamed straight away towards !
'orto Rico for T. hours. renders il !
'robablc that it continued on this q
curse and will show up at Porto Rico. a
[ tins Is found % bc the case, il is be- z
leyed that the war can be ended with =
ne bold stroke within very short .,
lm' after 1t Is positively known that !.
he fleet is coming thi, way. No doubt in
: felt that if the Spanish fleet will face n
n engagement we will be able to ut
'riy destroy it, There is still some %
ncertalnty as to the effect the news h.,
'om the Philippines will have on the +
)ntcmpiated invasion of'Cuba. rC
Some authorities are strongly i'm "a. &c
Or Of making a formidable invasion ,ri'
once, at the same time attacking b,
ie coast defenScs from our fleet. with. m
~ delaying tO ascertain the move ~
cnts Of the Spanish feet. Con,rrva.
We opinion IS that this would be a va
i,ty action and the probability +, nr
at our plan, SO far a. the invasion OF po
lba Is concerned, will not be- changed. NJ
1t that the force Of ). 900 men or ros. lr
mere will bc landed at a con. n,
nlcut point in Cuba within two or an
rec days 10 establish base Of sun. p.
les and put themselves in communi. W,
tlOn with the Cubans as was !, fore "N
ntemplatcd. by that time it will n.
otably be known definitely where Ii,
e Spanish fleet l., II it is at or on pa
way to Porto Rico, a strong fleet ID
OF the Flying squadron and in,
ne Of Adm. Simpsons squadron will no
sent against IL 10 do battl, without un.
y fear as 10 what the result VIII be. cde